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 B2AdventureSappers and Miners: The Flood beneath the SeaWhen a retired colonel dismisses tales of a rich old tin mine on his Cornish estate, his adventurous son Gwyn dreams of uncovering its ancient secrets.
Level C1Children'sSanta Claus' SweetheartTerry O’Connor, known as a carefree good-for-nothing, embraces an unexpected mission on Christmas Eve, delivering joy to a logging camp despite his own doubts and inclinations.
Level C1Children'sSanta Claus' Message: A Christmas StoryIn a struggling mining camp near Christmas, a family faces hardship and hope as they navigate poverty, fleeting gold fortunes, and the promise of better days ahead—where love and r…
Level C1Children'sSanta Claus' FrolicsChildren gather in their nightclothes, eagerly awaiting Santa Claus, who quietly fills stockings and surprises them with gifts beneath a hidden Christmas tree.
Level A2Children'sSanta Claus Gets His Wish: A Christmas Play in One Act For Young ChildrenOn Christmas Eve, Santa Claus seeks to discover what children truly dream about as he prepares for his magical journey, aided by whimsical characters like the Sand-Man and the mela…
PoetrySandman TimeExplore the elusive moments when dreams and reality blur, as evocative verses invite you into the mysterious realm where time and imagination intertwine.
Level C1AdventureSamba: A Story of the Rubber Slaves of the CongoIn the heart of the Congo, young Samba faces the brutal reality of the rubber trade that enslaves his people and ravages the land.
Level B2Children'sSamantha on Children's RightsA spirited boy named Jack navigates the challenges of childhood under the watchful eyes of his family, exploring the delicate balance between discipline and love.
Level B2HistoricalSam's Chance, and How He Improved ItAt fifteen, Sam Barker drifts through the streets of New York until a chance good deed offers him a job as an errand boy—if only he can find the means to dress the part and leave h…
Level B2AdventureSam Steele's Adventures on Land and SeaA young boy in a coastal village faces a devastating loss when a sailor brings news of his father's shipwreck and presumed death.
Level B2AdventureSam Steele's Adventures in PanamaA young navigator is tasked with a daring mission: to sail a battered, barely seaworthy ship loaded with valuable steel around the treacherous Horn to San Pedro.
Level C1AdventureSalt Water: The Sea Life and Adventures of Neil D'Arcy the MidshipmanBorn by the sea and raised by a steadfast old sailor, a young midshipman embraces the call of the ocean, learning the ropes and braving the harsh realities behind the romance of na…
Level B2Children'sSalome's burdenIn a small Cornish fishing village, fourteen-year-old Salome, a brave and caring girl with a limp, struggles to keep her family together as her father's drinking threatens their pe…
Level C1AdventureSaint Bartholomew's Eve: A Tale of the Huguenot WarsAmid the brutal religious wars of 16th-century France, a Huguenot landowner flees persecution and begins anew with fellow refugees in England.
Level C1AdventureSailor Jack, the TraderCaught between duty and fear, Tom Randolph faces conscription amid the turmoil of the Civil War, struggling to protect his fellow Home Guards from harsh Confederate demands while g…
Level B2AdventureSail Ho! A Boy at SeaA young boy eagerly sets out to sea aboard the Burgh Castle, facing the thrills and dangers of life on a merchant ship.
Level B2MysteryRuth Fielding on the St. Lawrence; Or, The Queer Old Man of the Thousand IslandsAt a vibrant wedding filled with flags and military honors, a spirited young woman finds herself drawn into the mysteries surrounding a quirky old man of the Thousand Islands, unve…
Level B1AdventureRuth Fielding on Cliff Island; Or, The Old Hunter's Treasure BoxWhen a devastating train wreck threatens their friend Jane Ann, Ruth and her companions race against time to uncover the truth and face unexpected dangers on Cliff Island.
Level B2MysteryRuth Fielding of the Red Mill; Or, Jasper Parloe's SecretA determined young girl leaves her old home for the mysterious Red Mill, where secrets and new friendships await in the quiet town of Cheslow.
Level B2AdventureRuth Fielding in the Red Cross; Or, Doing Her Best for Uncle SamAs young men rush to training camps during wartime, Ruth Fielding packs supplies for the Red Cross while grappling with fears for her friend’s twin brother and the uncertain toll o…
Level B1MysteryRuth Fielding in the Great Northwest; Or, The Indian Girl Star of the MoviesIn the rugged Northwest, Ruth Fielding and her friends navigate post-war challenges and lingering fears while enjoying a carefree car ride, but beneath their laughter lies a shadow…
Level B1AdventureRuth Fielding in Moving Pictures; Or, Helping the Dormitory FundRuth Fielding stumbles upon a lively outdoor film shoot while helping with a dormitory fund, sparking adventure and mystery amid the rolling fields and unexpected chases.
Level B1AdventureRuth Fielding in AlaskaIn the rugged Alaskan wilderness, Ruth Fielding faces threats from a vengeful rival aiming to sabotage her filmmaking dreams.
Level B2AdventureRuth Fielding at the War Front; or, The Hunt for the Lost SoldierAmid the distant thunder of war and the roar of planes, a determined Red Cross worker navigates the tense front lines, driven by hope and duty.
Level B2MysteryRuth Fielding at Snow Camp; Or, Lost in the BackwoodsWhen Ruth and her friends head to a remote winter camp deep in the backwoods, a thrilling adventure unfolds amid icy rivers, mysterious signs, and the looming presence of a fierce…
Level B2AdventureRuth Fielding at Silver Ranch; Or, Schoolgirls Among the CowboysA spirited schoolgirl arrives at Silver Ranch, where East meets West in a clash of cowboys, automobiles, and new ideas.
Level B2AdventureRuth Fielding at Lighthouse Point; or, Nita, the Girl CastawayAt Briarwood Hall, new member Helen Cameron is initiated into the secretive Sweetbriars, a sisterhood bound by sincerity and friendship.
Level B2AdventureRuth Fielding at Golden PassAs Ruth Fielding prepares for the premiere of her daring new film, "Snowblind," an unexpected reunion with old friends turns a nervous night into a joyful celebration—yet the fickl…
Level B2MysteryRuth Fielding at Briarwood Hall; or, Solving the Campus MysteryA bright young girl, Ruth Fielding, leaves her rural home to attend school at Briarwood Hall, where she soon finds herself entangled in a captivating campus mystery.
Level B2MysteryRuth Fielding and the Gypsies; Or, The Missing Pearl NecklaceWhen a miller's errand goes mysteriously awry, quick-witted Ruth Fielding insists on rowing the dangerous river herself, setting off on a daring quest that may unravel the secrets…
Level B1MysteryRuth Fielding In the Saddle; Or, College Girls in the Land of GoldCollege girls Ruth, Helen, and Jennie embark on a daring horseback journey into the rugged Hualapai Range, blending friendship and adventure amidst the challenges of the wild land…
Level B2AdventureRuth Fielding Homeward Bound; Or, A Red Cross Worker's Ocean PerilsA Red Cross worker and her friends reminisce over tea, dreaming of home while navigating the perils of war and secret missions in France.
Level B1AdventureRuth Fielding Down in Dixie; Or, Great Times in the Land of CottonTwo schoolgirls from Cheslow embark on a coastal voyage to Virginia, encountering colorful characters and new adventures along the way.
Level B2MysteryRuth Fielding Down East; Or, The Hermit of Beach Plum PointAs a fierce summer storm brews over a quiet riverside mill, Ruth Fielding senses more than just bad weather—a mysterious presence lurks nearby.
Level B2AdventureRuth Fielding At Sunrise Farm; Or, What Became of the Raby OrphansAt Briarwood Hall, Ruth Fielding navigates secret societies, schoolyard friendships, and mysterious adventures as she uncovers the challenges of boarding school life and the bonds…
Level B2MysteryRuth Fielding At College; or, The Missing Examination PapersAs Ruth Fielding prepares to leave home for college, a mysterious adrift boat and the promise of missing examination papers set the stage for a thrilling puzzle.
Level B2Children'sRuth Erskine's SonErskine Burnham, caught between the legacies of his remarkable family, faces the challenges of growing up under the shadows of loss and expectation.
Level C1Children'sRuth Erskine's CrossesA young woman faces the challenge of welcoming a new, long-absent sister into her family while grappling with feelings of confusion, resentment, and duty.
Level B2Children'sRuth ArnoldA thoughtful country girl dreams of something beyond her repetitive school lessons and daily farm chores, longing for excitement and growth amidst the familiar rhythms of rural lif…
Level B2Children'sRupert's AmbitionA hardworking sixteen-year-old boy faces sudden unemployment during tough economic times, threatening the fragile support of his ailing family.
Level B2Children'sRunning to Waste: The Story of a TomboyA spirited tomboy and her less agile brother turn mischievous orchard raids into thrilling adventures, defying the expectations of their staid coastal town.
Level B2AdventureRunning FoxA determined young Delaware warrior seeks to prove his courage by uncovering the mysterious power of a deadly Mohawk war-leader, embarking on a perilous journey into enemy territor…
Level C1FantasyRumpty-Dudget's Tower: A Fairy TaleA mischievous dwarf named Rumpty-Dudget lives alone in a gray tower near a magical forest bordering Fairy Land, where three royal siblings discover hidden wonders beyond their pala…
Level B2AdventureRujub, the JugglerAmid the chaos of the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny in India, a young, fearful soldier confronts his deepest fears and uncovers the mysterious arts of Rujub, a juggler whose secret powers blen…
Level B2HistoricalRufus and Rose; Or, The Fortunes of Rough and ReadyA resourceful street boy, Rufus, rises from newsboy to Wall Street employee while protecting his sister Rose from their harmful stepfather.
Level B2HistoricalRudy and Babette; Or, The Capture of the Eagle's NestIn the breathtaking Swiss Alps, young Rudy navigates towering mountains, snowy glaciers, and deep valleys, guided by his loyal dog and clever cat as he discovers the wild beauty an…
Level B2Children'sRuby: A Story of the Australian BushUnder the blazing Australian sun, young Ruby anxiously awaits her father's return on Christmas Day, navigating the challenges of bush life and the complexities of her stepmother's…
Level B2AdventureRuby at SchoolLeft to her own devices while her mother is ill, spirited Ruby concocts a daring plan to live alone in a makeshift playhouse, embracing adventure and mischief far beyond what anyon…