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.
- 6,041
- books
Level C1AdventureMiddy and EnsignAboard Her Majesty’s ship “Startler,” a spirited midshipman and a proud young ensign clash amid the vivid tropical backdrop of the Malay peninsula, where British forces prepare for…
Level B2HistoricalMichael Penguyne; Or, Fisher Life on the Cornish CoastA young fisherman on the rugged Cornish coast learns a life-changing secret from his father figure, setting him on a journey of identity, loyalty, and the harsh realities of the se…
Level B2AdventureMetipom's hostageIn the tense early days of King Philip’s War, sixteen-year-old David Lindall wakes to a mysterious red glow signaling danger nearby.
Level B2AdventureMessenger No. 48A determined orphan boy lands a job as a messenger in a bustling city, navigating tough work, long hours, and quirky errands as he hustles to earn his way and prove himself in a ch…
Level C1AdventureMenhardocA young Cornish lad on the brink of manhood learns the hard truths of life and strength from his rough but loyal fisherman companion amid the rugged sea and village life.
Level B2Children'sMemoirs of a country doll. Written by herselfA porcelain doll recounts her journey from a Soho bazaar to country adventures, May-day parties, and even falling ill, revealing the tender care and lively mischief of the children…
Level B2Children'sMelody : The Story of a ChildA blind girl named Melody enchants everyone with her extraordinary singing and gentle connection to nature, brightening the lives of two devoted sisters bound by love and sacrifice…
Level C1Children'sMelchior's Dream and Other TalesA spirited boy at a bustling family’s Christmas learns about sharing, responsibility, and the challenges of growing up with many siblings.
Level B2Children'sMelbourne HouseA thoughtful little girl named Daisy questions what it truly means to be a Christian, sparking tension with her indulgent parents who forbid her from attending a Sunday school that…
Level B2Children'sMeg's Friend: A Story for GirlsIn a fading London lodging house, silent Meg navigates a lonely childhood marked by unanswered questions about her mother and guarded secrets.
Level B2Children'sMaybee's Stepping StonesTwo young siblings, Maybee and Tod, face the trials and chaos of their first day at school under the watchful yet overwhelmed care of their older sister Sue.
Level B2Children'sMay FlowersSix Boston girls form the May Flower Club to read, sew, and confront the realities of poverty and charity, challenging themselves to move beyond comfort and make a meaningful diffe…
Level B2Children'sMay Day; or, Anecdotes of Miss Lydia Lively: Intended to improve and amuse the rising generationA young girl named Lydia learns gentle lessons from her mother about kindness, patience, and self-control, discovering how to overcome everyday frustrations and grow into a good-he…
Level C1Children'sMaud Marian, artistMaud Marian, newly mistress of her father’s house, grapples with change and ambition as her beloved aunt marries away, leaving Maud to navigate loss, loyalty, and her own artistic…
Level B2Children'sMaud Florence Nellie; or, Don't care!Maud Florence Nellie Whittaker, a spirited fifteen-year-old with a flair for fashion, navigates life and family dynamics from her unique home by the cemetery gates.
Level C1HistoricalMasters of the GuildIn a lively medieval castle, a young pigeon keeper with a special bond to his birds crosses paths with a wandering troubadour, setting the stage for tales of loyalty, music, and th…
Level B2Children'sMaster SunshineA cheerful boy known as Master Sunshine brightens the lives of those around him with kindness and thoughtful deeds.
Level B2AdventureMaster Rockafellar's VoyageYoung Tom Rockafellar dreams of the sea, inspired by tales of his seafaring ancestors and distant tropical wonders.
Level B2AdventureMass' George: A Boy's Adventures in the Old SavannahA young boy embarks on a perilous journey to colonial Georgia with his father, facing wild beasts, hostile natives, and untamed wilderness, all while being cared for by devoted com…
Level B2RomanceMason of Bar X RanchA wealthy young man in New York faces his father’s ultimatum: spend a year proving himself on a rugged Nevada ranch or be disinherited.
Level B2Children'sMary: A Nursery Story for Very Little ChildrenOn her birthday morning in May, young Mary wonders if the day will finally arrive as she puzzles over Thursdays and fairy rings dancing on her counterpane.
Level B2Children'sMary-'GustaAs the respected Captain Marcellus Hall passes away, the town of Ostable buzzes with curiosity about the future of his enigmatic stepdaughter, Mary-'Gusta.
Level C1Children'sMary's Meadow, and Other Tales of Fields and FlowersA family’s peaceful life is disrupted when a bitter dispute over a footpath through Mary’s Meadow pits neighbors against each other, revealing challenges of selfishness, sharing, a…
Children'sMary's Little Lamb: A Picture Guessing Story for Little ChildrenA lonely lamb follows little Mary home from Clover Farm, sparking a heartwarming friendship filled with playful adventures, schooltime surprises, and tender moments of care.
Level C1Children'sMary Wollstonecraft's Original StoriesIn a series of moral tales, the impeccable Mrs.
Level B2Children'sMary Ware in TexasIn the vibrant courtyard of a San Antonio hotel, young Mary Ware escapes the loneliness of a snowy mining camp to find herself enchanted by the lively world of military banquets an…
Level B2Children'sMary MarieThirteen-year-old Mary Marie navigates the upheaval of her parents' divorce, splitting her time between her mother in Boston and her father at home.
Level B2MysteryMary Louise at DorfieldIn a town struggling to regain its prewar calm, Mary Louise and her friends confront the restlessness and shifting roles of young women eager to find purpose beyond old expectation…
Level B2MysteryMary Louise and the Liberty GirlsIn a small town struggling to meet its Liberty Bond quota during wartime, Mary Louise and her friends step up to prove that even the humblest girls can make a vital difference thro…
Level B2MysteryMary Louise and Josie O'GormanWhen a young widow faces sudden poverty, she teams up with her friend Josie, a skilled detective and laundress, to rebuild their lives through a quaint shop and a bold charitable p…
Level B2MysteryMary Louise Stands the TestAmid whispers of fortune and fading health, Mary Louise faces the challenge of her grandfather’s growing suspicion toward Danny, the scarred war hero she loves.
Level B2MysteryMary Louise Solves a MysteryAn eleven-year-old girl anxiously awaits news about her critically ill mother, whose days may be numbered.
Level B2MysteryMary Louise Adopts a SoldierAs the Dorfield Regiment returns from war, Mary Louise and her grandfather prepare to welcome the soldiers home, eager to help any displaced men find their place in a community sti…
Level B2MysteryMary LouiseAt Miss Stearne's strict boarding school, Mary Louise navigates teenage tensions and a controversial curfew that sparks a student rebellion.
Level C1AdventureMary Liddiard; Or, The Missionary's DaughterAmidst the lush Pacific islands, a devoted missionary family strives to spread faith and hope to fierce native tribes, while young Mary Liddiard navigates the challenges of culture…
Level B1Children'sMary Lee the Red Cross GirlAmid the peaceful countryside, Mary Lee, a spirited Red Cross girl, eagerly awaits the return of her friend Bobbie, whose miraculous recovery inspires hope and joy.
Level C1Children'sMary ErskineChildren from Franconia embark on a journey to visit Mary Erskine, whose remote home lies along a wild, seldom-traveled road.
Level B2Children'sMary Cary: "Frequently Martha"In a strict orphanage, spirited Mary Cary challenges the rules and expectations, revealing her honest thoughts and longing for a family.
Level B2MysteryMartin of old LondonIn the smoky streets of 1666 London, fourteen-year-old Martin Leake navigates the bustling riverbank and a mysterious rendezvous that hints at hidden dangers.
Level C1AdventureMartin RattlerA young adventurer braves the untamed forests of Brazil, facing wild challenges and thrilling discoveries that test his courage and resilience in this gripping tale of survival and…
Level C1AdventureMarooned on AustraliaSurvivors of the Batavia shipwreck face mutiny, betrayal, and brutal storms as they struggle to survive on a remote Australian island, caught between treacherous seas and restless…
Level B2AdventureMarooned in the Forest: The Story of a Primitive Fight for LifeSwept away by a violent river and left alone in a vast northern wilderness, a man must rely on primitive survival skills to find food, fire, shelter, and hope.
Level C1Children'sMarm LisaIn a struggling city street called Eden Place, a determined woman transforms her corner home into a beacon of hope and moral uplift, challenging poverty and inspiring the community…
Level B2Children'sMark the Match Boy; or, Richard Hunter's WardTwo determined boys navigate the challenges of New York street life, chasing a long-overdue debt that could change their fortunes.
Level B2Children'sMark Mason's VictoryIn bustling New York City, young Edgar and a clever bootblack named Tom exchange sharp wit and dreams of fortune, setting the stage for a tale of ambition, social contrasts, and th…
Level B2AdventureMarjorie's VacationWhen twelve-year-old Marjorie embarks on her summer stay at Grandma Sherwood's country farm, she brings along her beloved kitten Puff and a big bird book, ready to explore new adve…
Level B2Children'sMarjorie's Three GiftsOn her twelfth birthday, Marjorie dreams of fairy-tale gifts and kindness, but when a mysterious old man rewards her industrious spirit with a golden dollar, her simple world begin…
Level B1Children'sMarjorie's New FriendMarjorie struggles to sew a perfect Christmas gift for her mother, hiding behind a folding screen with the help of her friends as they puzzle over a tricky sewing project.