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 B2FantasyThe House of Arden: A Story for ChildrenTwo children, Edred and Elfrida Arden, live in a once-grand but now crumbling family estate by the sea, struggling with the hardships of lost fortune and unwelcome lodgers.
Level B2Children'sThe House in TownIn a warm household filled with lively siblings, young Norton and Matilda navigate changes and new responsibilities, discovering courage and family bonds as they face unexpected ne…
Level B2Children'sThe House That GrewTwo thoughtful siblings grapple with a family crisis when their father loses a great deal of money, threatening their comfortable life.
Level B2AdventureThe House Boat Boys; Or, Drifting Down to the Sunny SouthTwo boys on the banks of the Ohio River face uncertain futures until a letter from a seafaring uncle offers a thrilling escape aboard a tramp steamer bound for New Orleans and adve…
Level B2AdventureThe Hosts of the AirTrapped in the grim reality of World War I trenches, a young soldier wrestles with the brutal landscape and the memory of a distant love, while the thunder of artillery and the sha…
Level B2Children'sThe Hoosier School-boyA shy new boy arrives at the village school, navigating teasing classmates and unfamiliar playground games while quietly seeking his place among them.
Level B2AdventureThe Hollow Tree Snowed-In Book: Being a continuation of stories about the Hollow Tree and Deep Woods peopleIn the heart of the Big Deep Woods, the Hollow Tree People—Mr.![Cover of The History of Tom Thumb: To Which Are Added the Stories of the Cat and the Mouse and Fire! Fire! Burn Stick! by Henry [Editor] Altemus](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da4jmkqe2hvc73bn0jb0.webp)
Level B2Children'sThe History of Tom Thumb: To Which Are Added the Stories of the Cat and the Mouse and Fire! Fire! Burn Stick!In a world where magic and fairies grant impossible wishes, a tiny boy no bigger than a thumb embarks on mischievous adventures, outwitting giants, animals, and even danger itself.
Level B2Children'sThe History of Tom Thumb and Other Stories.In the days of King Arthur, a tiny boy no bigger than a thumb embarks on extraordinary adventures, from outwitting giants to enchanting the royal court.
Level B2Children'sThe History of Sandford and MertonTwo boys from very different worlds—Tommy Merton, spoiled and fragile from a life of luxury, and Harry Sandford, strong and kind from a humble farm—embark on a journey of growth, l…
Level B2AdventureThe History of Little Peter, the Ship BoyIn a quiet hamlet, young Peter faces hardship as he cares for his ailing mother and tends their humble home, while his father’s turbulent seafaring past casts a shadow over their f…
Level B2AdventureThe History of Little King Pippin: With an Account of the Melancholy Death of Four Naughty Boys, Who were Devoured by Wild Beasts. And the Wonderful Delivery of Master Harry Harmless, by a Little White Horse.A poor but virtuous boy, Peter Pippin dreams of learning beyond his humble life.
Level B2Children'sThe History of Little Jack, a FoundlingAn old, disabled soldier living alone on a remote moor discovers a helpless infant abandoned in the cold.
Level B2AdventureThe Hilltop Boys: A Story of School LifeTwo adventurous boys at Hilltop Academy race down a steep hill to meet arriving classmates, narrowly avoiding a mysterious newcomer standing in their path.
Level B2AdventureThe Hilltop Boys on the RiverA resourceful boy determined to join his friends on the river refuses handouts and sets out to build his own motorboat, turning scraps and a small engine into an adventure in ingen…
Level B2HistoricalThe Hill: A Romance of FriendshipA young boy faces the daunting challenge of entering the esteemed Harrow School, where friendship, tradition, and the trials of youth intertwine on the iconic Hill.
Level B2Children'sThe High School Pitcher; or, Dick & Co. on the Gridley DiamondAt Gridley High, a new principal stirs unease as Dick Prescott and his loyal friends navigate school challenges, sports rivalries, and social divides.
Level B2Children'sThe High School Left End; or, Dick & Co. Grilling on the Football GridironTensions rise at Gridley High as the football team faces mysterious unrest and wavering support from the Athletics Committee.
Level B2Children'sThe High School Freshmen; or, Dick & Co.'s First Year Pranks and SportsAt Gridley High, freshman Dick Prescott faces false accusations and a challenge from a bigger rival, sparking a tense showdown fueled by loyalty, honor, and the fierce bonds of fri…
Level B2Children'sThe High School Captain of the Team; or, Dick & Co. Leading the Athletic VanguardTensions rise on Gridley High's football team as Drayne challenges Captain Dick Prescott for the quarterback spot, igniting a fierce rivalry that threatens to shake the undefeated…
Level B2AdventureThe High School Boys' Training HikeA resourceful high schooler negotiates to rent an innovative camping wagon for a summer adventure, uncovering its hidden potential and the quirky owner’s stubborn pride along the w…
Level B2AdventureThe High School Boys' Fishing TripTeen Tom Reade devises a clever plan to help young Timmy sneak past his watchful father after curfew, setting off an adventurous night of daring and quick thinking in a small town.
Level B2AdventureThe High School Boys' Canoe ClubSix high school friends face a summer of unexpected challenges and adventures when a failed Indian exposition goes up for auction in their town, pitting them against rivals and tes…
Level B2AdventureThe High School Boys in Summer CampSix high school boys face summer challenges as they navigate friendship, adventure, and a risky canoe sale, all while encountering mysterious strangers and testing their courage in…
Level B2Children'sThe Hickory LimbYoung Margery faces the sting of exclusion when her older sisters embark on formal calls without her, sparking a mix of frustration, loneliness, and a secret plan that promises a s…
Level B2Children'sThe Heroes; Or, Greek Fairy Tales for My ChildrenStep into the enchanting world of ancient Greece, where gods, heroes, and mythical creatures come alive through timeless fairy tales that have shaped history, art, and imagination…
Level B2AdventureThe Heroes of the School; or, The Darewell Chums Through Thick and ThinAt Darewell High, a sudden expulsion shocks the students, but when John Newton tries to shift blame onto Fenn Masterson, secrets and loyalties among friends are put to the test in…
Level B2AdventureThe Hero of Ticonderoga; or, Ethan Allen and His Green Mountain BoysIn the tense winter of 1764, Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys confront a royal proclamation that threatens their land and loyalty.
Level B2AdventureThe Hero of Garside SchoolAt Garside School, young Paul Percival wrestles with the legacy of a naval family lost to war and the shadows of looming conflict.
Level B2AdventureThe Heiress of Wyvern CourtA shy nine-year-old heiress journeys to her uncle’s farm in Cherton, where new friendships and the charm of country life await.
Level B2AdventureThe Heart of a DogIn a meticulously managed fox farm, one clever silver fox defies captivity by digging his way to freedom under watchful eyes, revealing the wild intelligence and spirit that no hum…
Level B2Children'sThe Head Girl at the GablesAs the new term begins at The Gables, the staff faces a crucial choice for head girl among three very different candidates, each with strengths and hidden flaws.
Level B2Children'sThe Hawthorns: A Story about ChildrenIn the quiet Easney Vicarage, five siblings weave stories and adventures around an ancient pear tree and the village life beyond their windows, finding magic in everyday moments de…
Level B2AdventureThe Haven Children; or, Frolics at the Funny Old House on Funny StreetA lively household brims with mischievous children, playful monkeys, and unexpected surprises as Daisy Havens wakes to a day full of frolics and a mysterious letter from Papa promi…
Level B2AdventureThe Haunted MineA young telegraph messenger boy takes a risky gamble on a mysterious sealed box at an express office auction, convinced it holds hidden treasure.
Level B2MysteryThe Haunted Hangar: Sky Scouts/Air Mystery series #3Teen pilots Larry, Dick, and cautious Sandy make a daring forced landing at a haunted estate, where eerie noises and ghostly glows spark their curiosity.
Level B2AdventureThe Hartley brothersTwo brothers embark on a daring journey to India, facing battles, desert rides, and dark deeds as they follow the spirit of early Christian knights.
Level B2Children'sThe Happy Prince, and Other TalesA gilded statue, once a prince, weeps above a city full of sorrow he never knew in life, while a lone swallow must choose between his journey and helping those in need.
Level B2FantasyThe Happy AdventurersA young girl, sidelined by illness and injury, finds herself confined to a quiet country home where loneliness and restlessness threaten her spirit.
Level B2Children'sThe Half-Back: A Story of School, Football, and GolfAt Hillton Academy, a rough newcomer from the countryside dares to challenge seasoned football players, sparking rivalry and curiosity on the school’s bustling gridiron.
Level B2HistoricalThe Guns of Shiloh: A Story of the Great Western CampaignAmid the chaos of a crushing defeat, young Northern soldier Dick Mason grapples with despair as his army retreats, setting the stage for a gripping tale of courage and conflict in…
Level B2HistoricalThe Guns of Bull Run: A Story of the Civil War's EveAs winter snow blankets a Kentucky town on the eve of the Civil War, two cousins—one destined to fight for the South, the other for the North—face divided loyalties amid the brewin…
Level B2AdventureThe Gun Club boys of LakeportTwo brothers venture through a fierce snowstorm in the wilderness surrounding Lakeport, uncovering family secrets and facing challenges that test their courage and resourcefulness…
Level B2Children'sThe GuardsmanOn a misty Halloween night, a group of boys in Fairweather plot a mischievous prank against a cobbler selling flea-ridden puppies, sparking a secret adventure filled with youthful…
Level B2AdventureThe Greycliff Girls in CampA group of adventurous girls set off on a thrilling summer journey through Niagara, Toronto, and the White Mountains, guided by their English teacher, before arriving at a Maine ca…
Level B2Children'sThe Green Forest Fairy BookStep into a magical world where fairyfolk, talking trees, and enchanted creatures still roam green forests, and discover the lost wonder tales once sung by The Golden Bird—tales of…
Level B2Children'sThe Green Fairy BookJourney through enchanting tales from around the world where witches turn men into swine, giants roam, and magic rings grant invisibility—stories that have thrilled children and ad…
Level B2FantasyThe Green DoorIn a quiet old house, curious Letitia is forbidden from opening a mysterious little green door that holds secrets beyond her imagination.