15-Minute Books - Books on Google Play

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. He talked to the crew on the boat.

"I know you are scared. You are worried about your safety! We are fighting a World War! Our enemies are the countries of Germany, Italy and Japan.

John reminded them. "We are not fighting alone. Great Britain and Russia are fighting with us."

Find out how John keeps the men together, and how he saves their lives when their boat is smashed by a Japanese ship in this exciting 15-minute book.

Ages 7 and up.

Reading level 2.3

This book is part of our "Heroes in History" series. These 15-minute books focus on a specific moment in a historic person's life. Aimed at second graders, they provide the perfect introduction to famous Americans in an exciting, fun-to-read way.

LearningIsland.com believes in the value of children practicing reading for 15 minutes every day. Our 15-Minute Books give children lots of fun, exciting choices to read, from classic stories, to mysteries, to books of knowledge. Many books are appropriate for hi-lo readers. Open the world of reading to a child by having them read for 15 minutes a day.

14 Fun Facts About the Sahara: A 15-Minute Book

The Sahara is a land of extremes. It is the largest hot desert on Earth where the sand can reach a whopping 176 degrees Fahrenheit (80 degrees Celsius). It is also a land of mountains, plains – and snow. It is a constantly changing landscape with winds that blast dust halfway around the planet.

Here are some interesting facts we have discovered about the Sahara.

Do you know:

What is the difference between a hot desert and a cold desert?

Are there volcanoes in the Sahara?

How many countries does the Sahara cover?

How does the Sahara Desert help the Amazon rainforest?

Does it snow in the Sahara Desert?

Find out the answers to these questions and more and amaze your family and friends with these fun facts.

Ages 8 and up.

All measurements in American and metric.

Reading Level: 6.9

Learning Island believes in the value of children practicing reading for 15 minutes every day. Our 15-Minute Books give children lots of fun, exciting choices to read, from classic stories, to mysteries, to books of knowledge. Many books are appropriate for hi-lo readers. Open the world of reading to a child by having them read for 15 minutes a day.

14 Fun Facts About Theodore Roosevelt: A 15-Minute Book

Theodore Roosevelt lived a full and adventurous life. He was encouraged by his parents in all his interests and encouraged his own children in theirs.

The world – and the White House – would certainly have been a different place without them.

Do you know:

When did Roosevelt become interested in Nature?

Why did Roosevelt rarely speak about his first wife?

Why did Roosevelt's children call their oldest sister "Sister" in stead of using her name?

How many national parks did Roosevelt create?

What pets did Roosevelt and his children have at the White House?

Find out the answers to these questions and more and amaze your family and friends with these fun facts.

Ages 8 and up.

All measurements in American and metric.

Reading Level: 7.2

Learning Island believes in the value of children practicing reading for 15 minutes every day. Our 15-Minute Books give children lots of fun, exciting choices to read, from classic stories, to mysteries, to books of knowledge. Many books are appropriate for hi-lo readers. Open the world of reading to a child by having them read for 15 minutes a day.

14 Fun Facts About the Dead Sea: A 15-Minute Book

The Dead Sea is a salt-filled sea which sits on the border between Israel, Jordan and Palestine.

It is 31 miles (50 km) long and 9 miles (15 km) wide at its widest point. It is one of the world's saltiest bodies of water. At 997 feet (304 metres) deep, it is the deepest hypersaline lake in the world.

Fed by the Jordan River and rainfall of only 4 inches (10 cm) a year, it is slowly evaporating away.

Here are some fun facts about this ancient body of water.

Do you know:

Why are there no fish in the Dead Sea?

Where did the Dead Sea get its salt?

Why can only two of the three countries bordering the Dead Sea mine its salt?

How long has salt been mined in the Dead Sea?

Who built the first health spa at the Dead Sea?

Find out the answers to these questions and more and amaze your family and friends with these fun facts.

Ages 8 and up.

All measurements in American and metric.

Reading Level: 6.3

Learning Island believes in the value of children practicing reading for 15 minutes every day. Our 15-Minute Books give children lots of fun, exciting choices to read, from classic stories, to mysteries, to books of knowledge. Many books are appropriate for hi-lo readers. Open the world of reading to a child by having them read for 15 minutes a day.

14 Fun Facts About the Pilgrims

Do you know the story of the Pilgrims? You may think the pilgrims came to America for religious freedom. While they were seeking religious freedom, that was only half the story. Here are some fun facts you may not know about the Pilgrim story.

Do you know:

Did the Pilgrims practice religious freedom?

How did they pay for their passage to America?

What does the word Pilgrim mean?

Why did many of the skilled people who were supposed to go, stay behind?

What is written about the first Thanksgiving?

And more.

Find out the answers to these questions and more and amaze your family and friends with these fun facts.

Ages 8 and up.

All measurements in American and metric.

Reading Level: 5.6

Learning Island believes in the value of children practicing reading for 15 minutes every day. Our 15-Minute Books give children lots of fun, exciting choices to read, from classic stories, to mysteries, to books of knowledge. Many books are appropriate for hi-lo readers. Open the world of reading to a child by having them read for 15 minutes a day.

14 Fun Facts About Life in the Early 1800s: A 15-Minute Book

Life in the early 1800s was very different than it is today. If you had been born in America 200 years ago, you would have had much more work to do, much less free time, fewer toys and clothes, and no internet or even computers! Life was much simpler then, but it was also a lot harder. How much do you know about what life was like back then?

Do you know:

Why did beds have curtains?

What was important about a child living to be 10 years old?

How did most people take baths?

When were the first photographs taken?

Find out the answers to these questions and more and amaze your family and friends with these fun facts.

Ages 8 and up.

All measurements in American and metric.

Reading Level: 6.3

Learning Island believes in the value of children practicing reading for 15 minutes every day. Our 15-Minute Books give children lots of fun, exciting choices to read, from classic stories, to mysteries, to books of knowledge. Many books are appropriate for hi-lo readers. Open the world of reading to a child by having them read for 15 minutes a day.

14 Fun Facts About the Roman Colosseum

The Colosseum of Rome is one of the few ancient wonders that still survives to this day. Historians have learned much about this fantastic structure, and about the lives of Roman citizens through the study of this one building.

It quickly became the center of Rome, the ultimate entertainment for the masses, and a tool for politicians.

Built of stone and concrete over a period of ten years by 60,000 Jewish slaves, it has stood for nearly 2,000 years.

Do you know:

What horrible event allowed the colosseum to be built?

What was the colosseum in roman originally called?

When was the Roman colosseum first used?

Did the colosseum ever have a roof?

How long did it take to empty the colosseum of people?

Find out the answers to these questions and more and amaze your family and friends with these fun facts.

Ages 8 and up.

All measurements in American and metric.

Reading Level: 6.8

Learning Island believes in the value of children practicing reading for 15 minutes every day. Our 15-Minute Books give children lots of fun, exciting choices to read, from classic stories, to mysteries, to books of knowledge. Many books are appropriate for hi-lo readers. Open the world of reading to a child by having them read for 15 minutes a day.

14 Fun Facts About the Tiber River: A 15-Minute Book

The Tiber River begins in the Apennine Mountains in Central Italy. It flows through Umbria, Tuscany, Lazio and Rome before emptying into the Tyrrhenian Sea near Ostia.

The Tiber carries a lot of mud and silt, which constantly blocks its mouth. It floods often, providing fertile land for agriculture and burying cities. It has also been a dumping ground for executed criminals.

Do you know:

Why does the Tiber River flood?

Who is the Tiber River named after?

What geographic feature of Rome was created by the Tiber River?

How has the Tiber River raised many sections of Rome?

Find out the answers to these questions and more and amaze your family and friends with these fun facts.

Ages 8 and up.

All measurements in American and metric.

Reading Level: 6.9

Learning Island believes in the value of children practicing reading for 15 minutes every day. Our 15-Minute Books give children lots of fun, exciting choices to read, from classic stories, to mysteries, to books of knowledge. Many books are appropriate for hi-lo readers. Open the world of reading to a child by having them read for 15 minutes a day.

14 Fun Facts About Antarctica: A 15-Minute Book

Antarctica is a frozen continent at the southernmost point of our planet. Where the land meets the ocean, huge ice shelves and icebergs flow onto the sea.

Antarctica is so cold that the snow never melts. It has built up over thousands of years to create ice sheets that are over 2.5 miles (four kilometres) thick, burying an active volcanic land that was once roamed by dinosaurs.

Do you know:

How many seasons does Antarctica have?

What country or countries claim ownership of Antarctica?

Does Antarctica get more or less rain than the Sahara Desert?

How many ice shelves does Antarctica have?

Is Antarctica the coldest place on Earth?

Find out the answers to these questions and more and amaze your family and friends with these fun facts.

Ages 8 and up.

All measurements in American and metric.

Reading Level: 7.1

Learning Island believes in the value of children practicing reading for 15 minutes every day. Our 15-Minute Books give children lots of fun, exciting choices to read, from classic stories, to mysteries, to books of knowledge. Many books are appropriate for hi-lo readers. Open the world of reading to a child by having them read for 15 minutes a day.

14 Fun Facts About the Moons of Mars

Mars has two of the oldest objects in the solar system orbiting it. These moons are small, dark and covered in craters. Phobos is the darkest moon in our solar system, and, until recently, Deimos was the smallest known moon in our solar system.

While they may have the same origin, they will have vastly different fates.

Do you know:

How large is Phobos' largest crater?

What are synchronous orbits?

Where do Phobos and Deimos get their color?

What will eventually happen to Phobos and Deimos?

Find out the answers to these questions and more and amaze your family and friends with these fun facts.

Ages 8 and up.

All measurements in American and metric.

Reading Level: 6.9

Learning Island believes in the value of children practicing reading for 15 minutes every day. Our 15-Minute Books give children lots of fun, exciting choices to read, from classic stories, to mysteries, to books of knowledge. Many books are appropriate for hi-lo readers. Open the world of reading to a child by having them read for 15 minutes a day.

14 Fun Facts About George Washington: A 15-Minute Book

George Washington was our first president and the father of our country. Many books and articles have been written about him, and his life has been studied thoroughly. We are also aided in knowing him by the many records he kept about his life, his farms, and his purchases.

With all that information, some facts get lost in the shuffle. Here are a few fun facts about George Washington that you may not know.

Do you know:

Why did George Washington like to dance?

Was Washington ever a British military officer?

How many foreign countries did Washington visit?

How many children did Washington bear?

Did Washington free his slaves upon his death?

Find out the answers to these questions and more and amaze your family and friends with these fun facts.

Ages 8 and up.

All measurements in American and metric.

Reading Level: 6.9

Learning Island believes in the value of children practicing reading for 15 minutes every day. Our 15-Minute Books give children lots of fun, exciting choices to read, from classic stories, to mysteries, to books of knowledge. Many books are appropriate for hi-lo readers. Open the world of reading to a child by having them read for 15 minutes a day.

14 Fun Facts About the Pacific Ocean

Named Pacifica (peaceful) by Spanish Explorers, the Pacific Ocean is anything but peaceful. It is home to 75% of the world's volcanoes, numerous dying islands, and the holder of more than 1/10th of the world's carbon dioxide. It is the largest ocean on Earth.

Do you know:

What is the average depth of the Pacific Ocean?

How much of the Earth does the Pacific Ocean cover?

What is "the itch"?

How much carbon dioxide does the Pacific Ocean absorb?

What thing in the Pacific Ocean makes up half the life on Earth?

Find out the answers to these questions and more and amaze your family and friends with these fun facts.

Ages 8 and up.

All measurements in American and metric.

Reading Level: 6.6

Learning Island believes in the value of children practicing reading for 15 minutes every day. Our 15-Minute Books give children lots of fun, exciting choices to read, from classic stories, to mysteries, to books of knowledge. Many books are appropriate for hi-lo readers. Open the world of reading to a child by having them read for 15 minutes a day.

14 Fun Facts About the Mayflower: A 15-Minute Book

You have probably heard about the Pilgrims from the time you were a small child. You may have heard how they sailed to America on a ship called the Mayflower. But how much do you really know about the Mayflower? Here are some fun facts you may not know.

Do you know:

How long was the Mayflower?

Where on the ship did the Pilgrims sleep?

Why does no one know exactly how many people were on the Mayflower?

How many children were born on the Mayflower?

Why did the Mayflower stay in port the first winter?

Find out the answers to these questions and more and amaze your family and friends with these fun facts.

Ages 8 and up.

All measurements in American and metric.

Reading Level: 6.3

Learning Island believes in the value of children practicing reading for 15 minutes every day. Our 15-Minute Books give children lots of fun, exciting choices to read, from classic stories, to mysteries, to books of knowledge. Many books are appropriate for hi-lo readers. Open the world of reading to a child by having them read for 15 minutes a day.

The American Army of Two: A 15-Minute Heroes in History Book

In 1812 the British and American armies went to war. They fought over the rights of ships at sea.

The war had been going on for two long years when this story takes place.

It was September of 1814 in Scituate (say skit-you-ate) Massachusetts. The town was small. Most of the people in the town made their living by fishing.

On this September day the lighthouse keeper had gone to town with his wife and most of his other children. He left two of his children, Rebecca and Abigail Bates, alone at the lighthouse. Becky was 21. Her sister was only 17.

Find out how these two girls saved their town from an invasion by the British in this exciting 15-minute book.

Ages 7 and up.

Reading level 2.6

This book is part of our "Heroes in History" series. These 15-minute books focus on a specific moment in a historic person's life. Aimed at second graders, they provide the perfect introduction to famous Americans in an exciting, fun-to-read way.

Learning Island believes in the value of children practicing reading for 15 minutes every day. Our 15-Minute Books give children lots of fun, exciting choices to read, from classic stories, to mysteries, to books of knowledge. Many books are appropriate for hi-lo readers. Open the world of reading to a child by having them read for 15 minutes a day.

14 Fun Facts About Earthquakes: A 15-Minute Book

Earthquakes can be frightening occurrences. Suddenly the ground begins to shake. Things are thrown around and buildings come crashing to the ground.

Scientists have studied earthquakes for years and have discovered many things. How much do you know?

Do you know:

Why do earthquakes happen?

What is a seismograph?

How do scientists measure earthquakes?

What is liquefaction?

What earthquake made the Mississippi River run backwards?

Find out the answers to these questions and more and amaze your family and friends with these fun facts.

Ages 8 and up.

All measurements in American and metric.

Reading Level: 6.2

Learning Island believes in the value of children practicing reading for 15 minutes every day. Our 15-Minute Books give children lots of fun, exciting choices to read, from classic stories, to mysteries, to books of knowledge. Many books are appropriate for hi-lo readers. Open the world of reading to a child by having them read for 15 minutes a day.

Joe Oman: Humble Railroad Hero: A 15-Minute Heroes in History Book

Joe Oman was railroad tower man near the small station in Arcadia, California.

Joe's job was boring. All he did was pull levers to signal the trains, and there were only a few trains a day.

Then one day in October 1911 Joe's job became very exciting indeed. A freight train broke loose from its brakes and headed down the hill. At the same time, the Santa Fe passenger train was headed for the same track. If they crashed, all the passengers would be killed.

Can Joe save the lives of the passengers on that train? Find out in this exciting 15-minute book.

Ages 7 and up.

Reading level 2.7

This book is part of our "Heroes in History" series. These 15-minute books focus on a specific moment in a historic person's life. Aimed at second graders, they provide the perfect introduction to famous Americans in an exciting, fun-to-read way.

Learning Island believes in the value of children practicing reading for 15 minutes every day. Our 15-Minute Books give children lots of fun, exciting choices to read, from classic stories, to mysteries, to books of knowledge. Many books are appropriate for hi-lo readers. Open the world of reading to a child by having them read for 15 minutes a day.

14 Fun Facts About the Volga River: A 15-Minute Book

The Volga River is the longest river in Europe. It is entirely in Russia and has no natural access to any open seas. It starts in a swamp in a small ridge, flowing through prehistoric lake beds on a course that separates the mountains of the Russian Uplands from the flat European Plain before dropping below sea level to enter the inland Caspian Sea.

Do you know:

How big is the Kuybyshev Reservoir?

How did construction of the Rybinsk Reservoir change the environment?

Is the Volga River connected to any seas?

Why were people jailed if they said they came from Mologa?

How much caviar can one female sturgeon produce?

Find out the answers to these questions and more and amaze your family and friends with these fun facts.

Ages 8 and up.

All measurements in American and metric.

Reading Level: 6.9

Learning Island believes in the value of children practicing reading for 15 minutes every day. Our 15-Minute Books give children lots of fun, exciting choices to read, from classic stories, to mysteries, to books of knowledge. Many books are appropriate for hi-lo readers. Open the world of reading to a child by having them read for 15 minutes a day.

Susan Pyle and the New Madrid Earthquake: A 15-Minute Heroes in History Book

Twelve-year-old Susan was sleeping in the loft of her cabin. Nearby were her younger brother and sister. Her parents and the new baby were asleep downstairs.

Suddenly Susan woke up to find herself flying out of bed. She tried to catch herself, but there was nothing to grab onto. Everything was moving.

Susan slid over the edge of the loft and crashed down to the floor.

As she landed, Susan felt a sudden, sharp pain in her leg. It felt like her leg was on fire!

She cried out with the pain.

The ground shook again as some stones from the fireplace fell down around her. There was dust and soot in the air.

Susan had a broken leg, but everyone was leaving New Madrid. The Mississippi River was rising. It was not afe to stay.

What would Susan and her family do? Did they really have to leave her behind?

Find out in this exciting 15-minute book.

Ages 7 and up.

Reading level 2.7

This book is part of our "Heroes in History" series. These 15-minute books focus on a specific moment in a historic person's life. Aimed at second graders, they provide the perfect introduction to famous Americans in an exciting, fun-to-read way.

LearningIsland.com believes in the value of children practicing reading for 15 minutes every day. Our 15-Minute Books give children lots of fun, exciting choices to read, from classic stories, to mysteries, to books of knowledge. Many books are appropriate for hi-lo readers. Open the world of reading to a child by having them read for 15 minutes a day.

14 Fun Facts About the Gettysburg Address: A 15-Minute Book

Often considered one of the greatest speeches given by a president, the Gettysburg Address is one of Abraham Lincoln's most well known speeches.Delivered on November 19, 1863, the speech was given at the dedication of the Soldier's National Cemetery in Gettysburg. The bitter Civil War had divided the country for three years and cost thousands of lives. Over 7,000 men lost their lives at the Battle of Gettysburg alone. The casualties were so high that many soldiers were buried in mass graves.Now it was time to dig up the dead and bury them in formal graves. The site for the National Cemetery in Gettysburg had been chosen, and many men reburied there. A formal dedication of the cemetery was in order. President Abraham Lincoln was chosen to give the dedication speech.Do you know:How many copies of the Gettysburg Address are there?Was the Gettysburg Address written on a napkin?What disease was Abraham Lincoln suffering from when he gave the Gettysburg Address?How did President Lincoln get to the cemetery?Was Abraham Lincoln the keynote speaker at the cemetery dedication?And more.
Find out the answers to these questions and more and amaze your family and friends with these fun facts.Ages 8 and up.All measurements in American and metric.Reading Level: 6.5
LearningIsland.com believes in the value of children practicing reading for 15 minutes every day. Our 15-Minute Books give children lots of fun, exciting choices to read, from classic stories, to mysteries, to books of knowledge. Many books are appropriate for hi-lo readers. Open the world of reading to a child by having them read for 15 minutes a day.

Pony Bob and the Longest Pony Express Ride: A 15-Minute Heroes in History Book

The call rang out across the stable. Robert Haslam jumped up from his seat and ran to get his horse. He had already put the reigns and the saddle on it. He knew that it was his turn to run the Pony Express mail.

Pony Bob, as he was called by his friends, loved his job. He loved the excitement of running the mail as fast as he could through the wilderness.

And right now the rides were more exciting than ever. The Paiute Indians were on the war path.

Find out how Pony Bob ended up making the longest pony express ride in history in this exciting 15-minute book.

Ages 7 and up.

Reading level 2.8

This book is part of our "Heroes in History" series. These 15-minute books focus on a specific moment in a historic person's life. Aimed at second graders, they provide the perfect introduction to famous Americans in an exciting, fun-to-read way.

LearningIsland.com believes in the value of children practicing reading for 15 minutes every day. Our 15-Minute Books give children lots of fun, exciting choices to read, from classic stories, to mysteries, to books of knowledge. Many books are appropriate for hi-lo readers. Open the world of reading to a child by having them read for 15 minutes a day.