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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- books
Level B2AdventureCamp Venture: A Story of the Virginia MountainsA group of sturdy boys and their doctor companion camp high in the Virginia mountains, facing the challenges of rugged terrain and thin air.
Level B2AdventureCamp Mates in Michigan; or, with Pack and Paddle in the Pine WoodsThree boys camping in the Michigan wilderness face an unexpected visitor when a huge lynx tries to steal their ham, sparking a thrilling hunt through the pine woods armed with guns…
Level B2AdventureCamp Lenape on the Long TrailAt Camp Lenape, privileged newcomer Dirk clashes with rugged camper Brick, who resents carrying Dirk’s heavy luggage and his delicate ways.
Level B2Children'sCaleb in the CountryA pale, sickly boy spends summer with his grandmother in the rocky countryside, discovering the wonders of nature through simple lessons and reflections—like seeing a mysterious "b…
Level B2Children'sBébée; Or, Two Little Wooden ShoesAt sixteen, Bébée, a flower-touched girl raised by humble gardeners near Brussels, faces the joys and hardships of life in a blossoming countryside.
Level B2Children'sBy the RoadsideA little girl named Marjorie wrestles with the call to responsibility and kindness as a mysterious Dream urges her to wake up, face her work, and help others along the way.
Level B2AdventureBy Sheer Pluck: A Tale of the Ashanti WarAmid schoolyard cricket matches and the keen eyes of a nature lover, a young boy's adventure begins to unfold, blending youthful sportsmanship with the challenges and unexpected tr…
Level B2AdventureBy Right of Conquest; Or, With Cortez in MexicoA daring English captain and his son navigate the perilous seas in the early 1500s, caught between emerging trade ambitions and the mighty Spanish conquest of Mexico.
Level B2AdventureBy Pike and Dyke: a Tale of the Rise of the Dutch RepublicIn a world torn by religious persecution and war, a young hero grows amidst the fierce struggle of the Dutch people for freedom and faith against the mighty Spanish empire, where c…
Level B2Children'sBy Honour Bound: A School Story for GirlsA spirited schoolgirl’s adventure begins as she navigates bustling city streets and a grand department store, where a shocking act of shoplifting tests her sense of justice and hon…
Level B2AdventureBy Conduct and Courage: A Story of the Days of NelsonAn orphaned boy with a mysterious past finds refuge with a kind fisherman in a bleak village, where childhood innocence clashes with harsh realities, setting the stage for a tale o…
Level B2PoetryButtercup Gold, and Other StoriesStep into a world where the Little New Year and Mother Nature herself bring blessings, kindness, and the magic of changing seasons to life through heartfelt tales and gentle poems…
Level B2Children'sBusy Ben and Idle IsaacIn a charming village, diligent Busy Ben thrives through hard work and learning, while Idle Isaac’s laziness leads him to struggle.
Level B2MysteryBurton of the Flying CorpsA daring young pilot navigates treacherous missions behind enemy lines, from chasing spies in Ostend to uncovering secrets in French chateaus, all while testing groundbreaking expl…
Level B2AdventureBurr JuniorAt a strict boarding school housed in an ancient manor, a new boy named Frank Burr navigates harsh lessons, rivalries, and the shadow of his father's heroic death in India—where co…
Level B2Children'sBurnham BreakerIn the heart of a bustling coal town, young boys endure the harsh monotony of the Burnham Breaker's screen-room, dreaming of freedom beyond the dust and noise.
Level B2AdventureBunyip Land: A Story of Adventure in New GuineaA determined sixteen-year-old sets out from home in New Guinea to rescue his missing father, believed to be held captive by native tribes.
Level B2Children'sBulbs and BlossomsTwo spirited children sent from India to live with their strict aunts at Chatts Chase turn the quiet household upside down with their boundless energy and mischievous adventures, d…
Level B2AdventureBuffalo Roost: A Story of a Young Men's Christian Association Boys' DepartmentCaught in a violent storm, young Willis Thornton faces a harrowing train crash that tests his courage and quick thinking as he races to save a trapped baby amid chaos and danger.
Level B2AdventureBuffalo Bill and the Overland Trail: Being the story of how boy and man worked hard and played hard to blaze the white trail, by wagon train, stage coach and pony express, across the great plains and the mountains beyond, that the American republic might expand and flourishFollow the daring adventures of a boy who grows into the legendary Buffalo Bill, braving the wild plains, Indian battles, and treacherous trails to open the American West by wagon,…
Level B2Children'sBuds and Blossoms; or, Stories for Real ChildrenFollow the everyday adventures of Emily, Edwin, and Charles as they explore the wonders of nature, learn about love and kindness, and discover the joys of growing up through true-t…
Level B2AdventureBudd Boyd's Triumph; or, The Boy-Firm of Fox IslandA determined sixteen-year-old boy braves a harsh March gale to seek work on a remote farm by the stormy shores of Narragansett Bay, where he hopes to find not only employment but a…
Level B2Children'sBrownsmith's Boy: A Romance in a GardenTwo lonely boys navigate a vibrant garden, one wild and ragged, the other watchful and envious, as their contrasting lives intertwine amid blossoming trees, playful antics, and sec…
Level B2AdventureBrown of Moukden: A Story of the Russo-Japanese WarAmid the vibrant streets of Moukden during the Russo-Japanese War, Ivan Brown navigates a world of clashing cultures, military tension, and personal adventure.
Level B2Children'sBrotherly Love: Shewing That as Merely Human It May Not Always Be Depended UponWhen Mr.
Level B2Children'sBright Ideas: A Record of Invention and MisinventionTwo inventive friends, strapped for cash but bursting with ideas, tinker away in a quiet village, dreaming up gadgets like a smoke machine and automatic hair-cutter—until a surpris…
Level B2Children'sBriarwood GirlsStruggling with the heartbreak of leaving college due to family hardship, Alison receives an unexpected inheritance—a mysterious brass lamp from a distant relative.
Level B2Children'sBrenda, Her School and Her ClubFour friends face change when Brenda's cousin Julia arrives, bringing a quiet, scholarly presence that challenges Brenda's reign over her social circle and forces her to navigate n…
Level B2Children'sBrenda's cousin at RadcliffeAt Radcliffe College, Julia Bourne navigates the challenges of exams and new friendships, including the spirited Clarissa from the West.
Level B2Children'sBrenda's Ward: A Sequel to 'Amy in Acadia'Two young girls, newly settled in Boston, navigate friendship, school, and the amusing antics of Angelina, a quirky helper with theatrical dreams.
Level B2Children'sBrenda's Bargain: A Story for GirlsOn a bright October day, Brenda’s thoughtful gift choice shatters in a shop, leading her to an unexpected act of kindness that challenges notions of responsibility and generosity.
Level B2MysteryBrazilian Gold Mine MysteryA teenage adventurer flies to the heart of the Amazon to deliver a secret letter to his father, unaware that dangerous rivals are racing to uncover a legendary gold mine.
Level B2AdventureBrave and True: Short stories for children by G. M. Fenn and OthersAmid the hardships of naval life and old school rivalries, a young sailor recounts his daring rescue of a wounded officer under enemy fire, revealing bravery and unexpected friends…
Level B2AdventureBrave and Bold; Or, The Fortunes of Robert RushtonAt Millville Academy, young Robert Rushton and his rivals navigate school life, ambition, and rivalry, all under the watchful eye of an earnest penmanship professor.
Level B2AdventureBrave Tom; Or, The Battle That WonIn a quiet Pennsylvania village, young Tom Gordon's anticipation for the circus is shattered by sudden illness and a mysterious, urgent panic sweeping through Briggsville—an advent…
Level B2Children'sBrake upAmid fierce rivalry between two lakeside towns, a determined captain steers a swift steamer to outpace a rival railroad, while battling personal and community conflicts that test h…
Level B2Children'sBoys of the Central: A High-School StoryIn a tense high school classroom, a timid boy struggles with algebra and faces bullying from a ruthless classmate, while a loyal friend stands up for him, sparking a fierce conflic…
Level B2AdventureBoys of The Fort; Or, A Young Captain's PluckTwo sixteen-year-old cousins embark on a rugged journey through the Rocky Mountains to Fort Carson, a remote military outpost.
Level B2Children'sBoys and Girls Bookshelf; a Practical Plan of Character Building, Volume I (of 17): Fun and Thought for Little FolkNurture young minds with an engaging mix of jingles, stories, and play exercises designed to spark curiosity and build character from infancy through early childhood.
Level B2Children'sBoyhood in Norway: Stories of Boy-Life in the Land of the Midnight SunIn a Norwegian valley divided by rival boyhood factions, youthful leaders wage imaginative battles that blur the line between play and real conflict.
Level B2HistoricalBoycotted, and Other StoriesA student at Draven’s school faces isolation and confusion after his close friend Browne is suddenly expelled, casting a shadow over their once lively term.
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts: Tenderfoot Squad; or, Camping at Raccoon LodgeA group of eager Boy Scouts embarks on a week-long camping adventure at Raccoon Bluff, where seasoned leaders mentor new recruits in survival skills, courage, and camaraderie amids…
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts with Joffre; Or, In the Trenches in BelgiumThree young Boy Scouts on motorcycles face sabotage and mechanical failure as they speed toward a secret mission, testing their courage and friendship in a tense adventure that lea…
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts on the TrailA group of Boy Scouts at camp face unexpected restrictions on their swimming grounds after a thrilling and dubious shark sighting stirs excitement and skepticism.
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts on the Open Plains; Or, The Round-Up Not OrderedFour Boy Scouts from New York set out across rugged Nevada mountains toward their uncles' cattle ranch, eager to explore the vast open plains and ancient cliff dwellings.
Level B2MysteryBoy Scouts on the Great Divide; Or, The Ending of the TrailFour Boy Scouts on a wilderness mission await mysterious instructions deep in the Wyoming mountains when a stranger with a secretive past arrives at their campfire, setting the sta…
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts on a Long Hike; Or, To the Rescue in the Black Water SwampsA determined Boy Scout patrol embarks on a daring 100-mile hike, showcasing their skills in signaling, woodcraft, and courage as they face challenges in the wild Indiana swamps.
Level B2AdventureBoy Scouts on Motorcycles; Or, With the Flying SquadronFour Boy Scouts find themselves stranded in a mysterious Chinese town, waiting for secret instructions from the U.