September 2015 Lit-Cube Jr. Kids Book Subscription Box Review

I am so excited by this subscription because it is so spot on for kids in the target age group! Lit-Cube Jr. delivers book-driven adventures and explorations for early readers. This is a brand new monthly themed book and bookish items subscription box – just for kids! This box is intended for readers that around around 8-12 years of age or children who are reading chapter books and middle grade novels. Note – this subscription ships in a padded flat-rate priority mail envelope and everything is contained inside the inner bag! It works shockingly well!

I spy a Magic theme for September! The only thing this box is really missing is an information card. I think they’re still working out the details, but I’d love to see an emailed guide maybe?

Love these! I think readers in the later elementary grades and early middle grades will be excited by both!

Rose by Holly Webb ($6.99)

How would you know if you were special?

Mr. Fountain’s grand mansion is a world away from the dark orphanage Rose had left behind. The gleaming, golden house is practically overflowing with sparkling magic—she can feel it. And though Rose had always wanted to be an ordinary girl with an ordinary life, she realizes she may possess a little bit of magic herself.

This is a chapter book most suited to grades 4-6 – and it’s the first in a series. My daughter is nearly 7 and reads in that age level, but she’s not quite up to no-picture-stories, although I suspect in about a month she will be. I’m loving the language of this book – the style is engaging and introduces lots of new vocabulary. I’ve been somewhat despairing that she won’t read A Little Princess (too long she says – she is only six!).  I’m excited about this one though – I strongly suspect that when she works up a little more reading stamina for more complex works that she will absolutely adore this!

Simon Nicholson’s Young Houdini: The Magician’s Fire ($7.99)

Young Harry Houdini spends his days chaining himself to train tracks and teetering on wires high above the city with his two best friends, Arthur and Billie. But when Harry’s friend and magical mentor, Herbie, disappears, the three friends band together, determined to rescue the beloved magician.

With nothing more than a mysterious puff of purple smoke, an ominous threat, and a menacing Bulgarian for evidence, Harry, Arthur, and Billie embark on a dangerously thrilling investigation that pushes their skill, and friendship, to the limits. But can Harry find Herbie before it’s too late?

School Library Journal rates this as grades 6-9, though I cannot possibly see the language as more advanced than the first book. I think this speaks of great curation pairing these two books together – same topic, totally different reads, but both on the same level. This looks like a fun and mysterious page-turner!

To heighten the fun – The Ultimate Magic Club’s Instant Wand ($3.99) was included! I have absolutely never seen this before!

Tadaaa! It’s magic! This is a great item for any budding magician!

The classic Stiff Rope! ($5) My husband played around with it and said he couldn’t get it to work but he’s not magical. We’re going to release it to the kids and see what kind of magic they can work up. He admits that he’s probably incompetent at magic tricks.

Crayola Model Magic ($1, if you buy 75 packs!) I am not sure what this has to do with the theme, except it’s super fun, not messy, and has Magic in the name! We love these (and so much more than play dough!).

I loved the theme this month and I thought the book selections were perfect. Whether reluctant or no, the extra items really jazz up the books and make them more exciting. The value was around $25 this month and I was totally delighted with it. If you haven’t noticed there are fewer really great subscriptions for older kids, and I think this is definitely one of them!

Visit Lit-Cube Jr. to subscribe or find out more!