Children's
Read Children's Classics in English
6,041 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 C1HistoricalThe Middle Five: Indian Boys at SchoolDiscover the lives of five Omaha boys navigating the challenges of school life, language barriers, and cultural identity as they strive to be seen beyond their heritage and uniform…
Level B2AdventureThe Messenger of the Black PrinceIn a turbulent France threatened by the Black Prince’s relentless advance, a mysterious man claiming to be the king’s fool challenges loyalties and provokes uneasy questions about…
Level B2Children'sThe MerryweathersTwo cousins, shy and excited, embark on a journey to the Merryweathers' camp, where unexpected encounters and warm welcomes await them.
Level B2Children'sThe Merry FiveFive spirited children prepare for a summer adventure at Santa Luzia, where new friendships and seaside fun await.
Level C1Children'sThe Merry Christmas of the Old Woman who Lived in a ShoeIn a whimsical shoe-shaped house, an old woman and her lively children prepare for a joyful Christmas filled with songs, presents, and the magical arrival of Santa Claus.
Level C1Children'sThe Merry Andrew; or, The Humours of a Fair.Join the bustling fair where mischievous boys dodge crowds, colorful stalls tempt with gingerbread and games, and a witty doctor and his Merry Andrew stir up laughter and lessons a…
Level C1FantasyThe Merman and the Figure-HeadA daring merchant defies tradition by naming his new ship The Sea-nymph, complete with a striking figurehead carved by the finest artisan.
Level B1MysteryThe Mercer Boys' Mystery CaseCadets Don and Jim Mercer, with their friend Terry, embark on a quest to recover a missing school trophy that has baffled Woodcrest Military Academy for years.
Level B1MysteryThe Mercer Boys' Cruise in the LassieTwo resourceful brothers prepare their newly outfitted sloop, the Lassie, for an adventurous summer cruise along the Maine coast, but when unexpected company appears, their journey…
Level B2MysteryThe Mercer Boys on a Treasure HuntTwo adventurous brothers stumble upon a mysterious letter while visiting their former professor’s home, setting them on an unexpected treasure hunt filled with secrets and danger.
Level B2MysteryThe Mercer Boys in the Ghost PatrolAt a summer camp near Rustling Ridge, cadets face eerie events: a horse stampede, a mysterious fire, a missing girl, and a ghostly figure threatening to drive them away.
Level B1MysteryThe Mercer Boys at WoodcrestAt Woodcrest Military Academy, three friends find their curiosity piqued by the mysterious disappearance of their unseen headmaster and the secrets of an old, empty hall.
Level B2AdventureThe Memoirs of a White ElephantA wise white elephant recounts his extraordinary life in the kingdoms of Siam and India, from sacred idol to war hero, daring rescuer, and playful companion to a princess, facing a…
Level A2PoetryThe MedleyExplore a vivid collection of poetic sketches that anchor the soul in hope, from sturdy ships and bustling mills to waving flags and quiet clocks, weaving everyday wonders with les…
Level B1Children'sThe Mean-WellsIn a lively household, siblings argue over the fairness of rewards for losing teeth, sparking a charming tale of childhood adventures, sibling rivalry, and the small but meaningful…
Level B1AdventureThe Meadow-Brook Girls on the Tennis Courts; Or, Winning Out in the Big TournamentA group of spirited girls camp in a charred hillside, seeking excitement amid the smoky ruins and mysterious surroundings.
Level B2AdventureThe Meadow-Brook Girls in the Hills; Or, The Missing Pilot of the White MountainsA group of adventurous young women, known as the Meadow-Brook Girls, embark on a daring mountain trek guided by the mysterious Janus Grubb, whose green goggles and secretive demean…
Level B1MysteryThe Meadow-Brook Girls by the Sea; Or, The Loss of The Lonesome BarA spirited group of young girls sets off on a mysterious summer adventure, guided only by their guardian and a cryptic route, as rain and unexpected twists accompany their journey…
Level B2AdventureThe Meadow-Brook Girls Under Canvas; Or, Fun and Frolic in the Summer CampFour girls from Meadow-Brook embark on a summer of adventure and friendship at camp, navigating youthful dreams and the challenges of growing up amid laughter, daisy-petal fortunes…
Level B2AdventureThe Meadow-Brook Girls Afloat; Or, the Stormy Cruise of the Red RoverA group of young women set sail on the aging houseboat Red Rover for a summer vacation, despite warnings about its condition and a suspicious caretaker’s reluctance.
Level B2AdventureThe Meadow-Brook Girls Across Country; Or, The Young Pathfinders on a Summer HikeA group of adventurous girls face unexpected challenges when they realize they’ve lost their way on a summer hike, forcing them to navigate unfamiliar terrain and rely on each othe…![Cover of The Matsuyama Mirror by T. H. Mrs. [Translator] James](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da83mefut6jc73bjttd0.webp)
Level B2Children'sThe Matsuyama MirrorIn a quiet village, a young girl treasures a mysterious mirror left by her dying mother, believing it reflects her mother's loving presence and guidance.
Level B2AdventureThe Mate of the "Lily"; Or, Notes from Harry Musgrave's Log BookAmidst the vast seas, Jack Radburn, a brave and loyal mate, faces a perilous new voyage aboard the well-built brig "Lily.
Level B2AdventureThe Masters of the Peaks: A Story of the Great North WoodsIn the autumn wilderness of the Great North Woods, young Robert Lennox and his companions face the looming dangers of war and survival.
Level C1HistoricalThe Master of the ShellAmidst the lively routines and rivalries of Grandcourt School, a new vacancy for the esteemed Master of the Shell stirs ambitions and tensions among masters and boys alike.
Level B2FantasyThe Master Key: An Electrical Fairy Tale Founded Upon the Mysteries of ElectricityA young inventor’s attic workshop buzzes with electric wonders, from ringing bells to moving trains, as he explores the mysterious powers of electricity.
Level B2FantasyThe Marvelous Land of OzA spirited boy named Tip, raised by a mysterious sorceress, crafts a pumpkin-headed figure to frighten his guardian—but in the magical Land of Oz, such mischief can lead to extraor…
Level C1FantasyThe Marvellous History of the Shadowless Man, and The Cold HeartA man mysteriously loses his shadow, setting off a surreal journey through strange encounters and inner turmoil, while another tale weaves the chilling saga of a man whose heart tu…
Level C1Children'sThe Marvellous Adventures and Rare Conceits of Master Tyll Owlglass: Newly collected, chronicled and set forth, in our English tongueDive into the witty escapades of Master Tyll Owlglass, a clever peasant whose sharp humor and daring tricks expose the follies of society and clergy in medieval Germany, blending l…
Level C1Children'sThe MarriagesAt a lavish London gathering, young Adela Chart navigates the imposing world of high society and complex family dynamics, all while sensing the subtle intrigues swirling around her…
Level B2AdventureThe Mark of the KnifeA newcomer dubbed "Teeny-bits" arrives at Ridgley School, where the mix of camaraderie and challenge promises an adventure filled with mystery, rivalry, and the struggle to find hi…
Level B2Children'sThe Manor SchoolIn a grand house with vast attics, thirteen-year-old Christian escapes a dull, unnoticed life by creating vivid adventures for her dolls and herself, blurring the lines between rea…
Level B2Children'sThe Man with the Pan-Pipes, and Other StoriesA delicate, bookish child finds her world transformed by her lively cousin’s haunting tales of gnomes, sprites, and the eerie Man with the Pan-Pipes, whose mysterious music lures c…
Level C1Children'sThe Maker of Rainbows, and Other Fairy-tales and FablesA struggling poet in Harlem trades his last prized possession for a rose to win his sweetheart’s heart, only to discover that forgotten dreams can hold unexpected treasures in a wo…
Level B2AdventureThe Mail CarrierIn a dusty Southern town, two brothers clash over a lucrative quail-trapping venture, while their estranged father plots a daring scheme to claim the hard-earned money.
PoetryThe Maid and the Magpie: An Interesting Tale Founded on FactsAn intriguing poetic tale unfolds, blending mystery and reality in a brief but captivating narrative that challenges the boundaries between fact and fiction.
Level C1Children'sThe Magnificent AmbersonsIn a Midwestern town flourishing with old-world elegance and shifting fashions, the Amberson family’s grandeur shapes the lives and rivalries of its members as the city around them…
Level B2FantasyThe Magician's Show Box, and Other StoriesA restless boy named Gaspar dreams of distant lands and grand adventures until a mysterious little man offers him a magical ivory box that reveals wonders beyond imagination—yet th…
Level B2FantasyThe Magic of OzDorothy and her friends embark on a magical quest across Oz to find the perfect birthday gift for Princess Ozma, encountering secret sorcery, enchanted creatures, and unexpected ad…
Level B2Children'sThe Magic Ring and Other Stories: From the Yellow and Crimson Fairy BooksA young man buys a mistreated dog and cat with his last money, only to be cast out by his mother and sent to seek work.
Level B2FantasyThe Magic NutsA weary young girl arrives at a mysterious, rainy town after a long train journey, uncertain if her new home will be dreary or delightful.
Level B2FantasyThe Magic Fishbone: A Holiday Romance from the Pen of Miss Alice Rainbird, Aged 7A king receives a magical fishbone from a mysterious fairy, promising a single wish to his eldest daughter, Princess Alicia.
Level B2FantasyThe Magic CityIn a quiet town, young Philip’s perfect world begins to shift when a mysterious visitor arrives, and whispers of change unsettle his close bond with his sister Helen.
Level B2AdventureThe Madman and the PirateIn the tranquil Pacific, a rugged schooner anchors near an island where a determined missionary braves hostility to build a church and transform a fierce tribe.
Level B2Children'sThe Madcap of the SchoolAt a newly relocated Tudor school buzzing with excitement, Raymonde Armitage embraces her role as the lovable troublemaker, stirring up mischief and keeping spirits high despite th…
Level B2AdventureThe Lure of the MississippiAs the Civil War erupts, a battery of soldiers hastens down the Mississippi, leaving a tense Sioux frontier behind.
Level A2PoetryThe Lullaby, with Original EngravingsGentle lullabies and tender scenes of nature weave through these poems, inviting you to rest with peaceful birds, blooming blossoms, and the loving watch of angels under starry ski…
Level B2Children'sThe Luckiest Girl in the SchoolAs war tightens its grip, the Woodward family faces the harsh reality of shrinking income and tough choices.