Common Sense Media Review
By Christy Matte
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mostly mature serial stories accessed via audio or text.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
Serial Box
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's It About?
SERIAL BOX is a growing collection of serial stories that can be purchased by the episode or season. The stories cover a range of genres, including romance, sci fi, horror, historical fiction, suspense, adventure, etc., but all of them are geared toward older audiences. Readers can enjoy the stories as an audio book or as a traditional text. First chapters are free for each tale, but some samples are more extensive than others. Users can also access the publisher's blog from within the app.
Is It Any Good?
Though the quality of the stories can vary, the ability to read or listen to a wide variety of stories in chunks using a simple interface is appealing. While some of the stories are written by unknown authors, others were created in conjunction with organizations like the Associated Press. Some of the sample chapters are too short to determine if it would be an enjoyable read, while others are extensive. The narration has a likewise variance in quality, but many users will appreciate the option to decide between the audio book version and the text. Both are included with the subscription, making it easy to alternate between as your needs change. The serial nature of the stories means that some of them go on for several seasons without any logical conclusion which can be a joy or frustration depending on the subject matter. So while Serial Box doesn't contain earth-shattering content, it's entertaining and easy to use.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about stories that involve sex like those in Serial Box. How might the stories contradict more balanced and positive messages about sex and relationships?
Discuss in-app purchases and how/if kids can request purchases from an adult. What are the family rules?
Talk about the scary stories and horror in general. Do you have a limit around what's too scary or gory? When does it feel like it's too much?
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad
- Subjects : Language & Reading : reading
- Skills : Communication : listening
- Pricing structure : Free to try (First chapter of each book is free; the rest can be purchased by chapter or in bulk. Prices vary.)
- Release date : January 22, 2019
- Genre : Books
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures
- Publisher : Serial Box Publishing
- Version : 2.0.2
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 11.0 or later
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
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