15 Minutes

by Steve Young

It's not that
Casey Little is
always late. It's just that everything
starts a little
too early. But when Casey discovers a weird little time machine, he figures he'll never be late again. Unfortunately, it's not a very good time machine. It can only go back 15 minutes. And it seems to have a mind of its own. Still -- what could possibly go wrong?

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Juvenile, Fiction, Time Travel, Childrens, Middle Grade

176 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2006

Reviews

[Joenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely hilarious!! If I could give it more stars I would. Casey, a seventh grader, found his grandfather's old watch that is actually a time machine. The watch will only let you go back in time 15 minutes, but a lot can change in 15 minutes. Casey uses the time machine to win over girls, not get toilet dunked by the school bully, and perform well at football practice and games. The humor in this book is fantastic, very sarcastic. I was laughing out loud through most of the book. Great for boys in 4th-5th grade.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

this story is about a kid named Casey who's dead grand father made inventions. And Casey found one. A watch that makes you go back in time. But here's the catch it only goes back 15 minetues

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read about using time travel to make your life better. When he finds a watch his grandfather created, he discovers that he can go back fifteen minutes in time and get a do over. Seems like a terrific idea for a middle schooler. Sometimes, however, the easy way isn't the best way.

[Tyler Standish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and entertaining.

[C C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Casey found an old watch in the attic. It keeps appearing on his wrist. He uses it to give himself extra chances. I didn't really learn anything from this book. It was very long.

[Charlotte]

not at all to my own personal taste.

[Dan Rogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

What if you had the opportunity to rewind time and relive the past 15 minutes? Would you want to? Well, that is exactly the opportunity given to Casey Little in this interesting little fantasy selection. Casey is a regular kid who has pretty decent friends he hangs out with at school. They, like most kids, have to be always watchful for the intimidating students who everyone wants to avoid. One day, as Casey is digging through a bunch of old "stuff" in the attic that used to belong to his grandfather, he finds a watch which he puts on. The next day, quite unexpectedly he finds he has again embarrassed himself this time with a group of the most popular girls in the school. All of a sudden the watch rewinds to 15 minutes earlier and Casey has the opportunity to relive those 15 minutes again. The best part of the whole thing is that he is the only one who is aware of what has previously occurred so he can do it right the next time. The "adventures" Casey has with this device are interesting to watch as they occur and reoccur and make for interesting reading.

As I read this book I couldn't help thinking of Greg Heffley in Jeff Kinney's "Wimpy Kid" books. Casey and Greg are similar in a lot of ways. Basically, they are both just regular kids trying to navigate their way through school, and life, without looking like complete idiots. They have "regular" challenges and difficulties along the way, not the least of which are their encounters with the school bullies. It is quite interesting to read how Casey deals with these challenges not only once, but quite often, twice.

This book was not as great as I'd hoped it would be yet at the same time is not such a bad read. Anyone who likes the "Wimpy Kid" series of books may well enjoy this one, however, this book does not contain the illustrations as those books have. As a result, if the illustrative nature of Kinney's books are what keep you coming back to them, then this book may not be for you. I wouldn't say this is a great book, nor will I ever say that this even comes close to being one of the best books I've ever read but all in all it's not such a bad read and at less than 175 pages it's a quick one also.

[Morgan Philipsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

1) Explain why gave this book the rating that you did and your personal opinion of the book.
I gave this book the rating I did because, this book had a lot of change in plot and cliffhangers, it pulls you in and engages you into the reading.

2) Explain why gave this book the rating that you did and your personal opinion of the book.
I gave this book the rating I did because, this book had a lot of change in plot and cliffhangers, it pulls you in and engages you into the reading.

3) Explain 2 things you learned from this book.
Two things I learned from this book is that your friends are always going to be there for you unless you are the one to turn on them. Another thing is making new friends can be a good thing but don´t forget about your old ones.

4) Share a picture or object and explain what it symbolizes in the book.
This is the link to my picture this picture symbolizes what the book is about and how a boy goes from a water boy to a football star!! https://www.google.com/search?q=pictu...

5) Choose a scene or quote from the book to share that makes the audience want to read more and find out what happens in the story.
A football star named tractor was the biggest guy in school and on the field he never smiled nor talked he was very scary I had never seen him cry until... he went out on a strecher!

[A Moses · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you ever wished you could go back in time? In 15 minutes by Steve Young it can happen. Casey Little is a average teenage boy that was always late and getting in trouble. Yes he had friends and a normal family. He just always seemed to be late. The later he gets people never rely on himfor anything. His parents always tell him to "get on the ball," and his teachers want him to get to class quicker. Then Casey finds an old watch from his late grandfather. When Casey accidently presses a button it takes Casey back in time for 15 minutes.
I know that everyone wants a second chance in life. In 15 miniutes it shows the positive and negative effects of time travel. when Casey discovers that extra time can make things right, he starts to use his new powers to do everything like impressing girls he likes to being a star player on the football team.
After reading this book i learned that you should be careful what you wish for. Casey made some right and wrong decisions in this book hat could damage his friendship. I would recommend this book to people he always wish stuff in life. Like people who always beg and jealous of other people. I rate this book a 3.5 because its a good book but it just doesnt make mw want to keep to keep reading. Overall good book.

[Damian Manzano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Casey Little is always late, but not by much. Nevertheless, as these seconds and minutes add up, his reliability level goes down. His parents want him to "get on the ball," and his teachers want him to get out of the hall and into class quicker. Everything looks bleak until Casey finds an old watch from his late (and also frequently tardy) grandfather. One press of the button propells Casey back in time—for all of 15 minutes. This gives Casey a chance for some "do-overs" that put him out on top.
Everyone wants a second chance now and then, and this story shows both the highs and the lows of going back in time. Written from Casey's perspective, readers get an up close and personal look at the issues that result from his bad habit of being late. Yet when he discovers that a little extra time can do more than make things right, he starts to use his newfound powers to do everything from impressing girls to figuring out the football plays.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It is about a boy who finds an old watch that his grandfather made that has the capability of sending a person back 15 minutes in time. ....Oh, the things one can do with a little bit of hindsight and a second chance. Casey uses the magic watch to correct a lot of his mistakes, particularly when it comes to dealing with popular kids. However, he learns in the long run that sometimes mistakes and things are o.k. as they are...and that popular kids are not necessarily as good as good old friends that have already proven their integrity and loyalty over and over again.
The book is also hilarious. Humor is such an added plus. I think middle school kids will particularly love it.

[Pblake · Rating 4 out of 5]

How many times have you been late-just 15 minutes. Casey a smooth talker tries to get out of trouble at school(he received the lowest score in the history of the school on a true false test. And he is often being invited to the principal's office) Now seventh-grader Casey found his grandfather's old watch. It allows him to say the right thing instead of the wrong thing to girls, to the bully's daily dunking and to be at the right place in the right time on the football field. His father talks about how his grandfather was always late but"one of the good guys". Casey recants "just like you Dad." and next tell the reader I am good-reallly good!

[Logan Braden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Casey Little is always late. It's just that everything starts a little
too early.

But when Casey discovers a weird little time machine, he figures he'll never be late again. Unfortunately, it's not a very good time machine. It can only go back 15 minutes. And it seems to have a mind of its own. Still -- what could possibly go wrong?

This book was good because out of all the times u could go back 15 minutes its where you are not late.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing felt did not feel smooth to me. (I don't know how to better describe it.) The message of the story was good and the plot was fun (what can you do going back 15 minutes in time?)... but it is not one I'd necessarily recommend -- at least to adult readers. Perhaps younger readers would find it more enjoyable.

[Myla · Rating 2 out of 5]

I sort of liked this book. I didn't really like the way it ended. The last 5-10 chapters were all about how he uses the go-back for his football game. It starts out pretty well and I think the middle is the best part because he uses the go-back to not be late for school and so he can ace his test. When you get to the end it's just not that entertaining.

[Alissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter recommended this one and loved it. It was a fun, short read that will have you laughing the whole way through. There's even a good message included! I also loved that Young included a nod to fellow children's authors Jon Scieszka, Dav Pilkey, and Lemony Snicket.

[Tiff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This humorous story is a quick read and will keep reluctant readers interested. Middle school boys are definitely the target audience for this fun, laugh out loud read.

[carissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seventh-grader Casey Little is always late until he discovers a magic watch that takes him back in time, a trick he uses both on and off the football field.

[D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great for reluctant 5th, 6th, and middle school boys to read. So funny!

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love life the way it is. Live a good life so you don't want to change it.

[Ginger · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book my daughter was reading. Very cute kids book and a quick read. Delivers a good lesson that doesn't sound like its coming from your parents.

[Beka Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hillarious!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I laughed alot!!

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great easy read for 10-12 year old boys. It has that silly since of humor that they all seem to have. Cute and has a nice message too.

[Merrill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for YA fiction, a quick quirky read.

[Sydnie Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is an awsome book it is about a little boy that is late and his dad said to go look for a watch so he finds a watch made by his grandpa and is Magic read the book to see what magical spell it has

[ShortShanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! It made me laugh out loud more than once. I really liked the main character. The style of the book was unusual but the author really made it work.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book! Nothing really exciting happens, but it was interesting

[Zach · Rating 5 out of 5]

im 15 years old and i still love reading this book

[Brenda Kahn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read at the recommendation of a fifth grader who put the book in my hands and said, "Best book ever!" Frenetic fun.

[Georgia Low · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty funny. It's a really an easy read. It's very light and all around adorable. I recommend to every one.