Historical
Read Historical Classics in English
14 historical 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 historical classics to read in English as a learner?
The best historical classics for English learners are the well-known titles you can read in the original — start with Motion pictures, 1940-1949, Mother of Pearl and Moscow: A Story of the French Invasion of 1812. 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.
- 14
- books
| Title | Chapters | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Lucia Rudini: Somewhere in Italy | 22 | B1 |
| Lodrix, the Little Lake Dweller | 10 | B1 |
| Little Robins Learning to Fly | 8 | B1 |
| Little Prudy's Captain Horace | 1 | B1 |
| Joe the Hotel Boy; Or, Winning out by Pluck | 32 | B1 |
| History Plays for the Grammar Grades | 42 | B1 |
| For the School Colours | 23 | B1 |
| Docas | 6 | B1 |
| Captain Horace | 17 | B1 |
| Army Boys on German Soil: Our Doughboys Quelling the Mobs | 26 | B1 |
| Army Boys marching into Germany | 26 | B1 |
| Among the Meadow People | 31 | B1 |
| A sailor boy with Dewey | 35 | B1 |
| A Walk and a Drive. | 5 | B1 |
Level B1HistoricalLucia Rudini: Somewhere in ItalyIn a hilltop Italian village surrounded by ancient walls, spirited Lucia Rudini navigates the tensions of war and daily life, guarding her beloved goats and engaging with soldiers…
Level B1AdventureLodrix, the Little Lake DwellerIn a hidden lake village high in the mountains, young Lodrix, son of the chief, faces the threat of war as the Bear tribe plans to burn their homes.
Level B1HistoricalLittle Robins Learning to FlyA curious boy discovers a robin caring for another bird's nest, sparking a gentle exploration of kindness and cooperation in nature.
Level B1HistoricalLittle Prudy's Captain HoraceIn a quiet Indiana town, young Horace dreams of becoming a soldier while his sister Grace imagines angelic harps under starry skies.
Level B1AdventureJoe the Hotel Boy; Or, Winning out by PluckA resourceful country boy navigates storms and social divides as he works his way from a summer hotel to the bustling city, relying on honesty and determination to overcome hardshi…
Level B1HistoricalHistory Plays for the Grammar GradesStep into the vibrant world of history as children bring great figures like Columbus and John Smith to life through engaging plays, turning dry facts into thrilling adventures that…
Level B1HistoricalFor the School ColoursWhen a rival school closes, its students flood into Silverside, upending traditions and threatening the established order among the boarders.
Level B1HistoricalDocasJourney back to a Pacific Coast Indian village where young Docas and his family live, play, and learn the ways of their ancestors long before modern settlers arrived.
Level B1HistoricalCaptain HoraceYoung Horace dreams of adventure and soldiering, while his sister Grace imagines angelic harps under starry Indiana skies.
Level B1AdventureArmy Boys on German Soil: Our Doughboys Quelling the MobsAmerican soldiers patrol a tense German city where hostility simmers beneath the surface, and threats escalate from uneasy glances to deadly gunfire.
Level B1AdventureArmy Boys marching into GermanyAmidst relentless German assaults, a small band of American soldiers fiercely holds their ground, preparing for a desperate bayonet charge that will decide their fate in a brutal,…
Level B1HistoricalAmong the Meadow PeopleA newly emerged butterfly explores the meadow, discovering the unique lives and homes of flowers and creatures, learning that every being thrives best in its own special place.
Level B1AdventureA sailor boy with DeweyA sixteen-year-old merchant’s son embarks on a perilous journey to the Philippines, navigating treacherous storms and a drunken captain as he explores America’s new Pacific territo…
Level B1HistoricalA Walk and a Drive.A curious little girl named Rosy explores a sunlit French villa and its surroundings, discovering fresh milk, grapevines, and the mystery of missing birds.