Children's
Read Children's Classics in English
2,794 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 Those Dale Girls, Those Brewster Children and Thistle and Rose: A Story for Girls. 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.
- 2,794
- books
Level B2Children'sLeft End EdwardsA young boy prepares for college at Brimfield Academy, balancing his father's strict expectations for serious study with his own curiosity about the school's athletic opportunities…
Level B2AdventureLeft Behind; Or, Ten Days a NewsboyA young boy is accidentally left behind in bustling New York City while his family sails to Europe.
Level B2AdventureLeaves from a middy's logA midshipman aboard a British frigate in the Caribbean faces sudden peril when a mutiny aboard an English merchant ship threatens chaos.
Level B2MysteryLarry Barlow's ambitionA young machinist and volunteer fireman dreams of joining New York’s fire department and inventing a revolutionary extension ladder to fight towering infernos.![Cover of Land of play: Verses, rhymes, stories by Sara Tawney [Compiler] Lefferts](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/dabnh109638s73a328i0.webp)
Level B2PoetryLand of play: Verses, rhymes, storiesStep into a whimsical world of verses, rhymes, and stories where beloved characters and timeless tales come alive—from a quaint barge home to playful animals and enchanting poems,…
Level B2Children'sLady Mary and Her Nurse; Or, A Peep into the Canadian ForestA curious little girl named Lady Mary explores the wonders of the Canadian forest through her nurse’s stories and a charming pet flying squirrel.
Level B2Children'sLady Daisy, and Other StoriesA cherished doll named Lady Daisy embarks on a seaside adventure with little Flora, but a moment of distraction leads to mishaps that threaten her perfect appearance.
Level B2AdventureLaddie: A True Blue StoryIn a world where enchanted woods hide secrets and magic, a little sister embarks on a daring solo journey to deliver a mysterious letter for her brother Laddie, facing unseen dange…
Level B2Children'sLaddie, and Miss Toosey's missionAn old woman embarks on a bustling train journey, clutching her belongings and sharing tales of Laddie, a remarkable figure known for hard work and kindness.
Level B2Children'sLad: A DogAn eighty-pound collie named Lad embodies courage, wisdom, and unwavering loyalty as he navigates life at The Place alongside his beloved Lady, guarding their home and upholding a…
Level B2Children'sKorean Fairy TalesIn the highlands of Korea, a clever tiger known as Mountain Uncle faces a surprising challenge when he falls into a hunter’s trap and must confront the consequences of his own mann…
Level B2AdventureKobo: A Story of the Russo-Japanese WarAmid the looming Russo-Japanese War, a young British observer aboard a ship witnesses the tense approach to conflict in East Asia, uncovering the courage and strategy behind Japan’…
Level B2Children'sKittyboy's ChristmasA lost little black cat braves the cold and finds unexpected warmth in a stranger’s home on Christmas Eve.
Level B2Children'sKitty's enemyTwo young gardeners, Kitty and Bob, notice a mysterious, red-haired boy spying on them from next door, sparking curiosity and cautious suspicion during a slow Easter holiday.
Level B2Children'sKitty's Class Day and Other StoriesEager to shine at Class Day, spirited Kitty plans a dazzling new gown on a tight budget, navigating sisterly caution and neighborhood gossip in a heartfelt tale of youthful dreams…
Level B2Children'sKitty TrenireOn a scorching afternoon, four children find themselves perched on an old garden wall, unaware that their playful mischief and chance happenings will alter their fates forever.
Level B2Children'sKitty MaynardA spirited young girl is sent to spend the summer with her aunt in the countryside, where she faces new lessons beyond the classroom and discovers the challenges of growing up away…
Level B2AdventureKit of Greenacre FarmOn lookout duty at Greenacre Farm, Kit faces the challenge of protecting a prized huckleberry patch from persistent berry thieves.
Level B2FantasyKisington TownIn the peaceful town of Kisington, young Harold, a beloved and gifted reader, discovers the magic held within the town's library, forging friendships and unlocking stories that pro…
Level B2HistoricalKingsford, QuarterA tired fifteen-year-old boy arrives at a new school only to face a rough welcome from rowdy upperclassmen.
Level B2PoetryKing WinterStep into the frosty realm where King Winter reigns from his icy throne, spreading snow and magic across the land while Jack Frost watches over the children’s behavior, bringing jo…
Level B2AdventureKing Matthias and the Beggar BoyA mysterious fortress with no doors or windows guards secrets as a lone traveler arrives, weary and curious.
Level B2RomanceKing Arthur's Knights: The Tales Re-told for Boys & GirlsJourney into a world of magic, valor, and chivalry where King Arthur and his knights embark on daring quests to protect the weak, uphold truth, and defend honor in a land alive wit…
Level B2Children'sKillykinickIn the quiet summer after Commencement, a group of boys dubbed the “left overs” at Saint Andrew’s find adventure and friendship amid challenges both physical and personal, as young…
Level B2AdventureKidnapping in the Pacific; Or, The Adventures of Boas Ringdon: A long four-part YarnStranded on a remote Pacific island after a shipwreck, a group of naval men seek shelter with a mysterious old sailor whose grudging hospitality hides a dark past—setting the stage…
Level B2AdventureKen Ward in the JungleTwo brothers embark on a daring expedition into Mexico's untamed jungle, where wild rivers, exotic wildlife, and ancient mysteries await.
Level B2Children'sKatie RobertsonA young girl steps into factory life, navigating the challenges of work, family duty, and faith in a world where honor and independence must be earned.
Level B2HistoricalKathie's SoldiersAs war looms over Brookside, young Robert eagerly embraces the thrill of marching off to battle, while his family debates the true meaning of courage, duty, and sacrifice.
Level B2Children'sKate's ordealYoung Katie Haydon dreams of a bright future in London, working in her cousin’s shop, but must navigate her mother's concerns and the challenge of proving the honor in humble servi…
Level B2Children'sKalitan, Our Little Alaskan CousinIn the frozen wilderness of Alaska, young Kalitan Tenas, a resilient Thlinkit boy, meets Ted Strong, an adventurous visitor from Boston.
Level B2AdventureJust his luckThree boys face harsh consequences after a daring peach theft turns sour, revealing sharp conflicts of loyalty and power in a small village.
Level B2Children'sJust PattyAt St.
Level B2Children'sJust DavidHigh on a mountain, young David lives in a humble cabin with his ailing father, finding joy and expression through his violin amidst the wild beauty surrounding them.
Level B2AdventureJunior High School Literature, Book 1Explore a rich collection of stories, poems, and ballads that inspire courage, loyalty, and love of nature and country, weaving American ideals into adventures from chivalry to mod…
Level B2AdventureJungle and Stream; Or, The Adventures of Two Boys in SiamTwo adventurous boys navigate life in the wilds of Siam, surrounded by exotic jungles, rivers, and creatures, as they face daily challenges from nature and culture in a remote, tro…
Level B2AdventureJulian Mortimer: A Brave Boy's Struggle for Home and FortuneA determined sixteen-year-old boy joins a rugged trapper guiding a wagon train through dangerous frontier lands, where every night brings the threat of Indian attacks and the fight…
Level B2Children'sJulia and the Pet-Lamb; or, Good Temper and Compassion RewardedA compassionate girl named Julia discovers an injured pet lamb and faces a choice between her mother's rules and helping the frightened animal.
Level B2Children'sJudyIn a charming orchard cottage, shy Anne and her spirited pets welcome Judy, the Judge’s granddaughter from the city, sparking a friendship between two very different girls as they…
Level B2Children'sJudith Lynn: A Story of the SeaJudith Lynn, a spirited girl disguised in fisherman's oilskins, navigates the rugged life of lobster trapping while guarding the gentle secret of her beloved little sister Blossom.
Level B2MysteryJosie O'Gorman and the Meddlesome MajorJosie O’Gorman starts her new job at a bustling department store where thefts are on the rise, including a missing box of expensive lace.
Level B2MysteryJosie O'GormanA clever girl detective with a famously unremarkable face discovers a surprising talent for disguises, using her unusual nose to outwit villains and hide her identity.
Level B2AdventureJosiah in New York; or, A coupon from the Fresh Air FundA young farm boy from a tiny village eagerly prepares for his first solo journey to bustling New York City, fueled by the promise of visiting friends he met through the Fresh Air F…
Level B2Children'sJonas on a Farm in WinterYoung Jonas wakes early on a snowy winter morning to tend the fire and prepare for a day hauling wood on the farm.
Level B2Children'sJohnny Ludlow, First SeriesAt Dyke Manor, young Johnny Ludlow navigates the complexities of family, friendship, and childhood mischief alongside his spirited stepbrother Tod, set against the backdrop of a gr…
Level B2Children'sJohnny Bear, and Other Stories from Lives of the HuntedIn Yellowstone Park, a quirky little bear cub named Johnny navigates life with his fierce mother, Grumpy, amidst a world of wild bears drawn to a hotel’s open garbage feast.
Level B2Children'sJohn's LilyIn a quiet village untouched by swift trains and bustling cities, John Randal's simple world begins to shift when a chance encounter on a London platform introduces him to a fright…
Level B2FantasyJohn of the WoodsIn a vibrant village stirred by the arrival of mysterious tumblers, a frail yet graceful boy with a haunting gaze captivates the crowd, hinting at hidden powers and a world where u…
Level B2FantasyJohn Whopper: The NewsboyA daring newsboy's shortcut turns into a thrilling fall through the earth, leading him to a mysterious land on the globe's opposite side.