Our reviewers research, test, and recommend the best subscriptions and products independently; click to learn more about our editorial guidelines. We may receive commissions on purchases made through links on our site.
beTWEEN the Bookends Tween Review: “Spooktacular Reads” October 2024
beTWEEN the Bookends is the first monthly book and lifestyle box created for kids by a teen herself! Boxes follow a monthly theme and contain age-appropriate books and lifestyle items that have been read and hand-tested by Jillian, the 16-year-old creator. Full-sized boxes contain 2-3 books and 6-8 lifestyle items, while mini boxes include 1 book and 3-5 lifestyle items. The new gender-neutral boxes will contain the same 2-3 books in the full boxes but will have only 3-5 gender neutral lifestyle items.
The Cost: The Full-Sized box is $55 per month + free US shipping ($50.00/mo for the 12-month subscription track) while the Gender Neutral box is $45 per month. Save with longer subscriptions.
This box was sent to us at no cost to review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes.)
October is here and in a blink of an eye we are more than a full month into the 2024-2025 school year. I am shocked as to how fast time flies, but even more shocked that we have no extracurriculars for a month! With all this extra time we are really focusing on spending extra time together as a family, and that means family book time! beTWEEN the Bookends showed up just in time, filled with fun lifestyle items AND two books perfect for our night time reading sesh. Read below to find out what October's fun theme included.
First Impressions
The contents of this box are packaged neatly in bright pink tissue paper and sealed with a sticker featuring clip art of a pigtail-donning girl. The anticipation of seeing what's underneath this tissue paper always has us on the edge of our seats. We just can't wait to check it out!
Here's What's Inside
Welcome Pamphlet
Each month we receive a pamphlet describing all items included in each box. It is color coordinated and laid out very nicely. Featured on the back is a quote by Oscar Wilde - "A Mask Tells Us More Than A Face." Also included is a hint about next month's theme - I'm thinking fairy tales?!
An ordinary day turns extraordinary when twelve-year-old Cal witnesses his neighbor Modesty summon a slew of lost coins without lifting a finger. Turns out she has a secret manual of magic spells . . . but they only work sometimes. And they're the most boring spells ever: To Change the Color of a Room, To Repair a Chimney, To Walk With Stilts, To Untangle Yarn. Useless! But when Cal, his friend Drew, and Modesty are suddenly transported to the world the spells come from—a world that's about to lose its last dragon—they'll have to find a way to use the oddly specific incantations to save the day, if only they can figure out when magic works. From the inventive mind of Henry Clark comes a hilariously wacky adventure about magic, friendship, a lookout tower come to life, a maze in the shape of a dragon, an actual dragon named Phlogiston, and lots and lots of popcorn.
As I mentioned above, our family has found itself a little bit of free time, and this is a very strange occurrence! Usually Hank takes his books and reads on his own, but this month I wanted to incorporate our entire family with one of the books. My younger son Charlie was intrigued by the What We Found in the Corn Maze and How It Saved a Dragon title, so we decided to try this out. Appropriate for kiddos 8-12, this was a great fit for my boys. Taking turns reading out loud, this is going slower than our usual reading pace, but has been such a great way to relax before bed. In the very first chapter, kids are chasing after run away coins, which captured both boys' attention, so we are all officially hooked. We can't wait to see where this book takes us!
There's something odd about the house David Cray and his mom moved into following his parents’ split. Sure, it’s old and battered and a little off-kilter, but that’s not all. With so many nooks and crannies, it seems like the walls were built to keep things hidden―or maybe from getting out. David’s suspicions are confirmed when he uncovers a secret room that looks like it hasn’t been touched in ages. Inside, an ancient desk and carving of a raven beckon to him. Suddenly, disaster seems to follow him everywhere, and he starts to notice connections between the terrible events happening around him and the stories of Edgar Allan Poe. Has David unleashed a dark force by opening the room? Or has the room awakened something in David that he doesn’t recognize?
Spooky books are definitely not Hank's thing, so this book has gone unread by him. I've read through the first 3 chapters, and it grabbed my attention, so I might try and persuade him to give it a try. If he decides it's too scary, I have a little friend at school that LOVES the Goosebumps series, so think this would be a great fit for them!
Skull Pen
To start off the lifestyle picks for this month's "spooky" box, we received this "Nightmare before Christmas" themed pen. This tiny nib pen writes in black ink and has a removable skull on the top. Not only is it cool looking, but it also glows in the dark!!! How cool!!
Custom Tapestry
The next item we received is almost 2' X 3' in size! This custom tapestry was designed especially for "Between the Bookends" and features a cartoon character holding a large stack of books in a library. With a really cute design, this has two metal grommets at the top to hang, and has stitching around the entire outside. While Hank liked this tapestry okay, he doesn't really have room to hang it in his room, so he asked if we can give it to his reading teacher at school to brighten up her walls.
Monthly Sticker Pack
Hank always enjoys stickers, and this month's versions were really bright and happy even though they debut little ghosts. Great for decorating notebooks and folders, these stick well and look great! A fun addition we look forward to each and every month.
Clock Necklace
Obviously jewelry isn't one of Hank's favorite inclusions, but I sure enjoy it! The next item we received was this gold chain necklace with a double sided clock charm. Very fairy tale like, this necklace has a lobster clasp and is adjustable. Simplistic in design and cute, even at 36, I have added it to my jewelry arsenal and have already worn it to school!
Corn on the Cob Squeeze Toy
Both of my kids are super into fidget toys, so this corn cob was a serious hit. Squishy with a foam-like substance, this corn cob is textured and a little sticky. It comes with a removable husk that is so fun to take on and off. A great nod to the "What We Found in the Corn Maze and How It Saved a Dragon" book, this was one of Hank's favorite items in this month's box!
Utz Halloween Themed Snack
You can't have a Halloween themed box and not include snacks!! Instead of candy or sugar, we received two packages of Utz snacks, including pretzels and cheese balls. Hank loves his snacks, so he was excited for these two pouches, and brought them to school the very next day. A great inclusion, for a great box!
Moon Bath Bomb
If you have ever read my reviews, you probably know that Hank obsessed with bath bombs. This month he was soooo excited to receive the moon version. Sweet-smelling and pretty, the bath bomb is really detailed and turns the water blue. Creating a white froth, Hank loved relaxing in the tub with this bath bomb, and wouldn't be sad if he received another one in the near future!
Verdict
beTWEEN the Bookends is one of our favorite subscription boxes of all time, and this month was another hit. Like I mentioned above, this is the full-sized box which is aimed towards girls, but fits a mother/son duo just fine. The included lifestyle items were a great mix of fun and functional all fitting the "Spooktacular Reads" theme well. Overall we thought this box was curated nicely and loved the useful items like the Skull Pen, Clock Necklace, and Corn on the Cob toy. We already can't wait to see what's in store for November.
The beTWEEN the Bookends Full Size box costs $50.00 per month (on a 12-month subscription track), including shipping. Because the books alone are valued at over $25.98, I find the $50.00/month cost extremely reasonable, as the lifestyle items help shape this box into an entire experience.
beTWEEN the Bookends is the first monthly book and lifestyle box created for kids by a teen herself! Boxes follow a monthly theme and contain age appropriate books and lifestyle items that have been read and hand tested by Jillian, the 14 year old creator. Full size boxes contain 2-3 books and 6-... read more.
I am a wild and crazy mom of 2 boys and work in the public education system as an Indigenous Support Advocate. I love all things outdoors, beauty, crafts, and food. Living the simple life in the country, we spend a lot of time hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting. Oh, and I absolutely adore my high school sweetheart aka my husband of almost 17 years!
I am a wild and crazy mom of 2 boys and work in the public education system as an Indigenous Support Advocate. I love all things outdoors, beauty, crafts, and food. Living the simple life in the country, we spend a lot of time hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting. Oh, and I absolutely adore my high school sweetheart aka my husband of almost 17 years!
Join the Conversation
Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.
Our reviewers research, test, and recommend the best subscriptions and products independently; click to learn more about our editorial guidelines. We may receive commissions on purchases made through links on our site.
Please do not enter your email address in the Name field or in the comment content. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Remember to post with kindness and respect. Comments with offensive language, cruelness to others, etc will not be approved. See our full comment policy here.