Children's
Read Children's Classics in English
3,688 children's books at CEFR A2 to C2 — learn English by reading the stories worth reading. Select any word for an instant translation, listen to the narration read the page aloud, and save the vocabulary you meet. Pick your level and start with a free sample.
What are the best children's classics to read in English as a learner?
The best children's classics for English learners are the well-known titles you can read in the original — start with Æsop's fables in words of one syllable, Æsop's Fables: A Version for Young Readers and Æsop's Fables, Embellished with One Hundred and Eleven Emblematical Devices.. Each one is labelled with a CEFR level, any word you do not know is one selection away from a translation, and the narration reads the page aloud while it highlights the words.
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Level B2AdventureThe Gold Of FairnileeIn the haunting ruins of Fairnilee, young Randal grows up amid whispers of war, loss, and legends of fairies.
Level B2Children'sThe Goat and Her KidA lively young kid delights in dancing and frisking across a sunlit garden, inspired by the enchanting music of a traveling Italian boy and his dancing dolls.
Level B2AdventureThe Go Ahead Boys and the Treasure CaveFour adventurous boys embark on the brig Josephine, setting sail from New York Harbor on a thrilling voyage to Buenos Aires.
Level B2AdventureThe Go Ahead Boys and the Racing Motor-BoatFour adventurous boys set out aboard a sleek racing motor-boat, the Black Growler, for a thrilling month on the St.
Level B2MysteryThe Go Ahead Boys and the Mysterious Old HouseFour adventurous friends set out to uncover the truth behind the eerie, centuries-old Meeker House, defying ghost stories and local fears in a thrilling quest that tests their cour…
Level B2Children'sThe Girls of St. Wode'sThree young women return home from school, ready to make their debut in London society under the watchful eye of their ambitious mother.
Level B2RomanceThe Girls of St. Olave'sOn the eve of her engagement, Denys navigates the bittersweet shift from family life to new beginnings, caught between cherished memories and the promise of love.
Level B2Children'sThe Girls of Silver Spur RanchOn a small Texas cattle ranch whimsically named Silver Spur, spirited sisters navigate family quirks and looming changes as wedding preparations unfold.
Level B2MysteryThe Girls of Hillcrest Farm; Or, The Secret of the RocksStruggling to keep her family afloat after her mother's death, Lydia Bray juggles work and responsibility in a cramped tenement, where mysterious neighbors and secrets in nearby wi…
Level B2MysteryThe Girls of GreycliffA lively reunion at Greycliff Hall sparks joy and anticipation as old friends settle into their shared suite, ready to embrace school life and the adventures ahead at this spirited…
Level B2MysteryThe Girls of ChequertreesIn a village shadowed by an ivy-covered house with locked doors and whispered secrets, a mysterious invitation draws Pamela and other girls into a web of intrigue and hidden truths…
Level B2MysteryThe Girls of Central High; Or, Rivals for All HonorsTwo high school friends hatch a clever scheme to attract customers using a magnifying glass and a loaf of bread, sparking laughter and community buzz.
Level B2Children'sThe Girls of Central High on the Stage; Or, The Play That Took The PrizeAt Central High, a secret girls’ society faces eviction and must unite the student body by staging an original play competition to raise funds and secure their treasured meeting pl…
Level B2MysteryThe Girls of Central High on Track and Field: Or, The Champions of the School LeagueA spirited group of Central High girls navigate friendship, lively rivalries, and mysterious newcomers just as a strange chase unfolds below their hilltop perch—pulling them into a…
Level B2AdventureThe Girls of Central High in Camp; Or, the Old Professor's SecretA spirited group of Central High girls plan a summer camping trip far from the sand and sea, navigating friendships, rivalries, and the mysteries that unfold in the great outdoors.
Level B2MysteryThe Girls of Central High at Basketball; Or, The Great Gymnasium MysteryTensions rise on the Central High girls' basketball team as fierce competition meets simmering rivalries under the watchful eye of their strict instructor, Mrs.
Level B2MysteryThe Girls of Central High Aiding the Red Cross: Or, Amateur Theatricals for a Worthy CauseLaura, a sharp high school bookkeeper, discovers a mysterious fifty-dollar shortage in her father's jewelry store just as Christmas approaches.
Level B2Children'sThe Girls at Mount MorrisA determined young girl faces the harsh reality of sacrificing her dreams of education to support her ailing mother, stepping into the world of factory work and hardship.
Level B2Children'sThe Girls and I: A Veracious HistoryNavigating the chaos of being the only boy among five spirited sisters, Joachim—known as Jack—shares his humorous and heartfelt adventures in a lively family where personalities cl…
Level B2PoetryThe Girl's Own Paper, vol. VIII., no. 377, March 19, 1887Amidst the bustling life by the river and the quiet shadows of an old churchyard, a heartfelt reunion unfolds as Merle confronts the secrets kept by Aunt Agatha, revealing struggle…
Level B2Children'sThe Girl's Own Paper, Vol. XX: No. 1019, July 8, 1899A young girl navigates loneliness and strained family ties during a Christmas spent away from home, finding solace and connection amid holiday traditions and new friendships in a b…
Level B2PoetryThe Girl's Own Paper, Vol. XX. No. 997, February 4, 1899In a tense Franco-English war setting, young Roy’s playful mischief spirals into a serious predicament when a broken bust and angry accusations threaten to bring the gendarmes knoc…
Level B2PoetryThe Girl's Own Paper, Vol. XX. No. 1011, May 13, 1899In a small household awaiting the husband’s return from sea, a seasoned servant with a mysterious past seeks a quiet place to work, stirring questions about trust and loyalty.
Level B2Children'sThe Girl's Own Paper, Vol. XX. No. 1010, May 6, 1899Effie, recovering from illness, is encouraged by Cyril to reclaim her independence through horseback riding and outdoor adventures, promising a summer filled with friendship, coura…
Level B2AdventureThe Girl's Own Paper, Vol. XX. No. 1008, April 22, 1899Caught in a desperate retreat through snow-covered mountains and relentless enemy pursuit, a young soldier battles hardship and danger while inspired by the unwavering resolve of h…
Level B2Children'sThe Girl's Own Paper, Vol. XX. No. 1006, April 8, 1899Amid the warmth of a Christmas morning at the vicarage, Peggy Saville faces illness and change with quiet courage, while her brother Arthur strives to keep spirits bright despite d…
Level B2Children'sThe Girl's Own Paper, Vol. XX, No. 998, February 11, 1899In a bustling London school, shy Linnæa’s life transforms when the charismatic Gwendoline offers friendship, sparking a heartfelt bond that brightens her once lonely world.
Level B2PoetryThe Girl's Own Paper, Vol. XX, No. 994, January 14, 1899Amid the hardships of war and captivity, a young artist and his wife navigate the uncertainties of life as prisoners in a foreign town, while friends quietly rally to support them…
Level B2Children'sThe Girl's Own Paper, Vol. XX, No. 991, December 24, 1898Two determined young friends team up to win a prize by creating a thoughtful calendar of daily quotations, blending poetry and translation, all to afford a coveted microscope and m…
Level B2Children'sThe Girl's Own Paper, Vol. XX, No. 990, December 17, 1898A young boy in captivity faces the painful prospect of being moved to Verdun, away from home and loved ones, while his family grapples with hope, sacrifice, and the harsh realities…
Level B2HistoricalThe Girl's Own Paper, Vol. XX, No. 984, November 5, 1898Amid the Franco-English War, a young boy named Roy battles illness under the watchful care of a weary soldier and a mysterious, gentle girl scarred by smallpox.
Level B2Children'sThe Girl's Own Paper, Vol. XX, No. 983, October 29, 1898A young woman guarding the legacy of her ancestral home confronts a wealthy new owner intent on tearing it down, sparking a heartfelt clash of values and unexpected beginnings bene…
Level B2Children'sThe Girl's Own Paper, Vol. XX, No. 1024, August 12, 1899As Sheila and Ronald ascend the rugged, narrow roads of Madeira, she grapples with newfound feelings and uneasy thoughts about growing up, all while surrounded by unfamiliar landsc…
Level B2Children'sThe Girl's Own Paper, Vol. XX, No. 1015, June 10, 1899Amidst the chaos of a blazing Town Hall, Sheila and her friends navigate panic, rescue efforts, and unexpected heroism.
Level B2Children'sThe Girl's Own Paper, Vol. VIII, No. 367, January 8, 1887Awaken to the charm of a sunlit estate filled with bustling birds, curious children, and a caring young woman devoted to her garden and animals.
Level B2PoetryThe Girl's Own Paper, Vol. VIII, No. 354, October 9, 1886A jealous baron defies luxury and convention by secretly whisking his infant daughter away from her pampered nursery to a rugged life at sea.
Level B2AdventureThe Girl from Sunset Ranch; Or, Alone in a Great CityA young girl fiercely loyal to her late father’s Montana ranch faces the challenge of preserving their rugged home and reputation amid whispers of a dark past.
Level B2Children'sThe Girl Warriors: A Book for GirlsA young girl wrestles with her studies and the challenge of growing up in a cheerful, loving family where courage and kindness help her face life's everyday giants.
Level B2AdventureThe Girl Scouts' Vacation AdventuresDuring a spring vacation in New York, a group of Girl Scouts set out on a charitable mission that leads them into unexpected challenges and heartfelt discoveries beyond their usual…
Level B2AdventureThe Girl Scouts' Motor TripAfter a thrilling hockey victory, a group of Girl Scouts receives an unexpected invitation from a wealthy aunt to embark on a daring motor trip across the country—with a chaperone…
Level B2AdventureThe Girl Scouts' Canoe TripFive Girl Scouts embark on a canoe trip down the mysterious Silver Creek, facing thrilling challenges including a swift current, eerie local legends, and the presence of a solitary…
Level B2AdventureThe Girl Scouts on the RanchAs graduation approaches, Marjorie and her fellow Girl Scouts face the excitement of senior dances and the mystery of summer plans.
Level B2AdventureThe Girl Scouts at Sea Crest; Or, the Wig Wag RescueThree Girl Scouts arrive at the vast, unpredictable ocean for a summer by the sea, where playful waves, beach fires, and seaside mysteries await their adventurous spirits.
Level B2AdventureThe Girl Scouts at Rocky Ledge; Or, Nora's Real VacationA spirited girl named Nora arrives at a charming countryside home, eager to transform her vacation into an adventure where daydreams might just come true.
Level B2Children'sThe Girl Scouts at Miss Allen's SchoolTwo girls arrive at Miss Allen’s Boarding School, eager to join secret sororities and find friendship amid new adventures.
Level B2MysteryThe Girl Scouts at Camp Comalong; Or, Peg of Tamarack HillsA group of spirited girls, inspired by summer camp adventures, plan their own wilderness retreat by a charming mountain lake—where friendship, fun, and unexpected mysteries await a…
Level B2AdventureThe Girl Scouts at Bellaire; Or, Maid Mary's AwakeningThree adventurous girls set off for a summer vacation in the New Jersey mountains, balancing the thrill of exploration with the charm of friendship and the challenges of packing fo…
Level B2Children'sThe Girl Scouts Rally; or, Rosanna WinsThree young Girl Scouts—Rosanna, Elise, and Helen—navigate friendship, challenges, and a heartfelt rally in a charming Louisville neighborhood, where hope and determination light t…