15-Minute Books

Margie stood by the river. She had a hard choice to make. A man had come to her mother. He had said that he was there to take Margie home. When he said home, he meant her other family. Margie thought about her other family. She had been born in 1696. Her father was a minister. Her mother kept a pioneer home. They had named her Eunice Williams. Read her story in this 15 minute book. RL: 2.7

When we look at clouds in our sky, we can sometimes make out shapes. This can also happen with nebulas – clouds of dust and gas in space. There are two main types of nebulas; bright and dark. There are four types of bright nebulas; emission, reflection, planetary and supernova remnants. This book covers 14 strange and interesting nebulas in our galaxy. Reading Level: 6.9

Many people remember Nathan Hale as an American patriot. Those who do not know his story think that he did great things for our country. The truth is, Nathan never fought in battle, held a regular job as a school teacher for only a year, and failed on his first mission. In fact, he did more for the country after he was dead than when he was alive. Here is the true story of Nathan Hale. RL: 6.5

"Oh Elizabeth, there is so much to do!" Penny said. "And I am worried. I do hope the other ladies are with us." Penelope Barker was often called Penny. She was at the home of her friend, Elizabeth King. They were there to get ready for a great tea party. And this tea party would be great. Penny hoped that it would help change life in America. Find out what happened in this 15-minute book RL: 2.6

We live on Earth. Earth is a planet. It spins, giving us day and night. It goes around the sun. Everything that goes around our sun is part of our solar system. There is gas, dust, ice and rocks. There are even other planets. This book will tell you a few things about the eight planets in our solar system. Let us see how much you know. How many questions can you answer? Reading level: 2.9

The Ganges River begins in an ice cave in the Himalayan Mountains. It flows through India and Bangladesh and enters the sea at the world’s largest delta. It supports over 400 million people and thousands of animal and plant species. It is sacred to the Hindu people and worshiped as a goddess. Many people wish to die near the Ganges. Many people do. Find out more in this 15-Minute book. RL: 6.9

Melville Dewey was a man of many talents. He is often called the father of modern library science. He developed a system for cataloging books that is still in widespread use today. He helped create New York's Lake Placid Club and bring the Olympics there. He was also a man with strong opinions. Find out more about Dewey in this 15-Minute biography for kids. Reading level: 5.3

"Are they going to kill us?" little Polly Craig asked. "They will try," Sarah answered. "But our men are strong." "Are they strong enough?" "Yes," Sarah answered with determination. It was August 16th, 1782. Sarah Boone Brooks and Polly Craig were seated in front of a small, one-room cabin in Bryan's Station. Find out how the women and girls saved Bryan Station. Reading level: 2.7

The Great Wall of China is a man-made wonder, spanning thousands of miles. It spreads from the Pacific Ocean in the East to the Gobi Desert and beyond in the west. Much of it has stood for hundreds of years, with some portions over 2000 years old. The Great Wall stood as a wall of defense for many years, against the warring states to the north. Find out more in this short young adult book.

Jane Addams dropped into a chair. She was so tired that she could not move. Her best friend Ellen Starr fell into the chair beside her. The two women had spent the whole day cleaning the house. Find out what Jane does with the huge house and how it changes the lives of her neighbors in this fun 15-minute book. Part of our Heroes in History series, this short book is on a second grade reading level

James Garfield had little early education, he worked to put himself through college before entering politics. When the Civil War started, he joined the Union Army. He won many battles and become a Major General. As a politician, he fought for civil rights, the abolition of slavery and an education system for African Americans. In March 1881 he became president. 200 days later he was dead. RL: 6.8

Maria Sklodowska was a Polish girl who wanted a proper education. She changed her name to and went to university in France. She met and married Pierre Curie and began to work with radioactivity. Marie Curie became the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the first person to win two Nobel Prizes. Hers was a life filled with firsts. Find out more about this discoverer of radium in this short bio.

I was the great auk, a bird. Here is my story. We were a bit like the penguin. Like penguins, we were black and white. The blackness covered our heads and stretched down our backs. The white covered our chests. Many of us had a white patch on our face above our eye. White stripes raced across our strong black bills. Oh we were proud of those bills. Reading Level: 2.9

There are many amazing animals on Earth. Some are funny. Some are strange. This book will tell you about 7 fun animals. This is a set of 7 of our popular 15-Minute Books for early readers. It contains the full text and pictures from the following books: "Meet the Elephant", "Meet the Hippo", "Meet the Polar Bear", "Meet the Beaver", "Meet the Bat", "Meet the Spider", "Meet the Raccoon" RL: 2.1

There are many fascinating animals on Earth. Some are funny. Some are strange. This book will tell you about 7 animals. This is a set of seven of our popular 15-Minute Books for early readers. It contains the full text and pictures from the following books: "Meet the Tiger", "Meet the Giraffe", "Meet the Wolf", "Meet the Cougar", "Meet the Badger", "Meet the Reindeer", Meet the Rabbit". RL: 2.1

You have heard of Wilbur and Orville Wright. You know about their owning a bicycle shop. You know about them building and flying the first airplane. But here are some fun facts you may not know. Do you know: Who made the attempt at the first flight and what happened? Was the first flight at Kitty Hawk? Did Wilbur graduate from high school? Who taught Wilbur and Orville about inventing? And more.

Florence Nightingale went from being a rich child to the poorest conditions in war. Along the way she saved countless lives, changed the world of health care, created schools and trained countless nurses. She also wrote hundreds of books, and changed the way women and hospital patients were treated. Find out more about this founder of modern nursing in this short 15-minute children's bio. RL: 6.5

A badger is an animal. It looks like a cross between a skunk and a dog. Badgers have a long nose. They use it to stick into holes they have dug. This lets them reach the bugs they find in the ground. They have a funny looking face. It is mostly black, but it has white stripes. This book is a shortened version of our popular “Badgers: Ready For A Fight" and is for early readers. Reading level: 1.9

How much of America’s rainfall ends up in the Mississippi River? Which mountain range grew around the Danube River? Are there more kinds of fish in the Amazon or in the ocean? The Thames was once a tributary of what European river? What is the “Ghost City” of the Yangtze? Learn about the Amazon, Danube, Mississippi, Nile, Yangtze, Thames, and Murray rivers in this set of 15-minute books. RL: 6.9

Clara Barton was 11. It was a great time in her life. Most of her family was moving! Clara, her father and her mother had moved to a new home three years ago. Now her older brothers and sisters were moving. They were coming to the same valley. Today would be fun. They were building a new barn! But the day turns into a disaster. Find out what happens in this exciting short book. Reading level: 2.5

It was a cold day in October 1858. It had been warm for many days. Then it turned cool. There was a breeze blowing across the water. Eighteen year old Ida Lewis stared out across the sea. There were three boys sitting in the boat. Another boy was up on the mast of the boat. It was rocking back and forth! Suddenly it turned over! Find out how Ida saves them in this 15-minute book. Reading level 2.5

Mary Fields got up early. It was a big day. Today Mary would enter a race. It was a race to see how fast you could hitch up horses to a wagon. If Mary won the race, she would get a job. Mary needed a job. She had no money. It was hard for a woman to get a job. It was even harder for a black woman who had been a slave. Find out if Mary gets the job in this fun 15-minute book. Reading level: 2.9.

A yak is a big, hairy cow. It lives in Asia. Yaks are part of the cow family. Like cows, they have four skinny legs and big, round bodies. They also have long noses and horns on top of their head. But a yak is much bigger than a cow. They are taller than a man! They are also as long as a small car. Find out about yaks in this easy to read book. Reading level: 1.9.

Ben Franklin was happy. It was going to be a GREAT day. After all, it was a holiday! He quickly finished his chores. Then he went out to play. Ben lived in Boston. It was not a big city 200 years ago. It was a small town. But there was still a lot for a boy of seven to see. Soon Ben met up with his friends. Find out how Ben's friends give him some copper pennies, and how he spends them. RL: 2.8

The night was dark. There was no moon. There was no light from stars in the sky. On the ocean under this dark sky was a boat. Sailors were on board. The boat’s name was PT109. PT stands for Patrol Torpedo Boat. The sailors on board the boat were very worried. A young sailor named John Kennedy was also aboard. Find out how Kennedy saves his crew in this 15-minute Heroes in History book. RL: 2.3