Ben Franklin and the Whistle

Young Ben Franklin was happy. It was going to be a GREAT day. After all, it was a holiday!
Ben quickly finished his chores. Then he went out to play with his friends.
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. They played for a short time. Then the boys gathered around Ben.
"Close your eyes and hold your hand out," one of them told Ben.
Ben looked around at the boys' smiling faces.
He closed his eyes and held out his hand. Then he felt something small and round being put in his hand. Then there was another one. And another one!
Ben opened his eyes and looked at his hand. There sat four shiny copper pennies.
Two hundred years ago you could buy a lot with a penny. Ben felt like he was rich!

Find out what Ben spends his money on, and how it changes the rest of his life in this 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.