Historical
Read Historical Classics in English
1,135 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 Zigzag Journeys in Northern Lands;: The Rhine to the Arctic; A Summer Trip of the Zigzag Club Through Holland, Germany, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, Yule-Tide Yarns and Youth. 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.
- 1,135
- books
Level B2HistoricalAchillesAs the Greeks unite under Agamemnon to avenge the abduction of Helen by Paris, tensions ignite between the proud warrior Achilles and the king, setting the stage for a decade-long…
Level B2AdventureAaron in the WildwoodsA determined boy confined to crutches defies expectations by mastering a spirited Gray Pony that obeys no one but him, inspiring awe and mystery across the wild Georgia landscape.
Level B2HistoricalA loyal lassAs war looms near the Niagara frontier in 1814, young Marianne Reyburn navigates danger and loyalty amidst shifting allegiances and whispered conflicts.
Level B2HistoricalA little maid of PicardyIn war-torn Picardy, a young French-American girl named Lucie balances her dual heritage while cherishing her homeland and its simple joys, like garden blooms and friendship, as sh…
Level B2RomanceA heroine of 1812Amid the bustling streets of Baltimore in 1812, young Lettice Hopkins anxiously awaits news of her uncle’s ship, threatened by British capture during wartime.
Level B2AdventureA gentle pioneerIn the harsh winds of a March night, a young girl prepares to leave her childhood home on a pioneering journey westward, facing separation and hardship with hope for reunion and a…
Level B2AdventureA frontier knightTorn between the steady comforts of home and the wild unknown, a young woman chooses to join her sister and a close companion on a daring journey to the Texan frontier, where adven…
Level B2HistoricalA daughter of strifeIn 1710 London, Anne Champion struggles as a straw-plaiter, waiting anxiously for news from her beloved surgeon at war.
Level B2AdventureA Young HeroAmid rising tensions and looming war, young Phil dreams of becoming a soldier like his father but struggles with lessons and fears for his family's safety.
Level B2HistoricalA Word, Only a Word — CompleteIn the shadowed Black Forest, two children chase the power of a single, magical word said to shape the world itself.
Level B2HistoricalA Warwickshire Lad: The Story of the Boyhood of William ShakespeareA young William Shakespeare faces eerie village superstitions and childhood fears in the dusk of Warwickshire, where witches' spells and ghostly shadows blur the line between imagi…
Level B2HistoricalA Virginia cavalierIn 1746 Virginia’s peaceful countryside, a young George Washington sharpens his woodsman skills, embodying strength and honor amid the natural beauty and emerging tensions of colon…
Level B2AdventureA Virginia ScoutAmid the lush wilderness of 1774 Virginia, a determined scout carries urgent messages as tensions ignite between settlers and Native tribes.
Level B2HistoricalA Victorious UnionAmid the stirring years of the Civil War, a patriotic naval hero fights not for glory but to preserve the Union and the ideals it stands for, embodying courage and unselfish devoti…
Level B2HistoricalA Versailles Christmas-TideIn a festive home awaiting their son's return from school in Versailles, parents face a sudden crisis when he falls ill with scarlet fever abroad.
Level B2AdventureA United States Midshipman in the South SeasAmidst fierce rivalries on a remote South Sea island, American midshipmen navigate political intrigue and native customs as they witness a high chief’s dramatic return from exile,…
Level B2AdventureA United States Midshipman in the PhilippinesTwo young U.
Level B2AdventureA United States Midshipman in JapanTwo young U.
Level B2AdventureA United States Midshipman in ChinaTwo young U.
Level B2MysteryA Thousand Francs Reward; and, Military SketchesWhen a respected merchant vanishes without a trace in the bustling Quartier du Marais, a determined detective follows subtle clues—from a watch-check to a final café visit—to unrav…
Level B2AdventureA Tatter of Scarlet: Adventurous Episodes of the Commune in the Midi 1871Two British boys navigate the tense, sunlit streets of a divided French town during the turmoil of the 1871 Commune, witnessing history unfold amid ancient ruins and brewing rebell…
Level B2RomanceA Tame Surrender, A Story of The Chicago StrikeAmidst the backdrop of the Chicago strike, a spirited young woman with charm and complexity finds herself drawn to a reserved, enigmatic man whose mysterious past deepens their unl…
Level B2HistoricalA Tale of Red PekinIn a remote Chinese village, a young girl navigates the challenges of missionary life amid cultural clashes, perilous uprisings, and deep bonds of friendship.
Level B2HistoricalA Strange, Sad ComedyIn war-torn Virginia, the dignified Colonel Corbin faces the arrival of Union soldiers at his shabby plantation, striving to maintain composure amid upheaval.
Level B2AdventureA Story of the Golden AgeEmbark on a vivid journey through ancient Greece, where myths and legends come alive against the backdrop of sea-girt Ithaca and heroic quests, weaving the tales that lead to the e…
Level B2HistoricalA Son of the Middle BorderAmid the shadows of a post-Civil War Wisconsin valley, a family reunites with a weary soldier returning home, unveiling a personal saga of pioneer hardships and the intimate strugg…
Level B2AdventureA Soldier's Daughter, and Other StoriesOn the turbulent North-West frontier of India, a soldier’s daughter grapples with the stark contrast between her tomboy life in the barracks and the refined expectations awaiting h…
Level B2HistoricalA Sister's Love: A NovelA fierce storm batters the ancient Von Hegewitz manor as young Anna Maria confronts family tensions and secrets within its shadowed halls, where old traditions clash with youthful…
Level B2HistoricalA Sister of the Red Cross: A Tale of the South African WarAmid the turmoil of the South African War, Sister Mollie Hepworth, a dedicated nurse, takes a brief respite to reconnect with her sister Kitty and confront the stirring emotions an…
Level B2AdventureA Rebellion in DixieAmid the turmoil of the Civil War, a determined community in Mississippi refuses to join the Confederacy, risking everything to resist conscription and forge their own path.
Level B2HistoricalA Plea for Old Cap CollierIn a strict, small-town world where Sundays stretch endlessly and childhood punishments are harsh, a boy's love for forbidden dime novels sparks a quiet rebellion against rigid rul…
Level B2HistoricalA Pilgrim Maid: A Story of Plymouth Colony in 1620Amidst the perilous voyage of the Mayflower, young Constance Hopkins and her family brace themselves to forge a new life in the unknown wilderness of Plymouth Colony in 1620, where…
Level B2AdventureA Naval Venture: The War Story of an Armoured CruiserAmidst a stormy February afternoon, the crew of the armoured cruiser Achates prepares to sail into the perilous waters of the Dardanelles, facing naval battles and life aboard a wa…
Level B2HistoricalA Muramasa bladeIn feudal Japan, an old jinrikisha man reveals the secret of a rare Muramasa blade, a treasured family heirloom forged centuries ago by a legendary swordsmith.
Level B2AdventureA Middy of the King: A Romance of the Old British NavyA young midshipman, recently recovered from a serious injury, prepares to join the newly launched frigate Europa, eager to serve his country and prove his courage in the old Britis…
Level B2AdventureA Man for the Ages: A Story of the Builders of DemocracyEmbark on a rugged 1831 journey through Adirondack wilderness with Samson Henry Traylor’s family as they face frontier challenges, meet lively characters, and witness the shaping o…
Level B2AdventureA Loyal Little Red-Coat: A Story of Child-life in New York a Hundred Years AgoAmid the turmoil of Revolutionary-era New York, young Hazel Boniface, a proud Loyalist, navigates childhood friendships and fierce political divides, dreaming of skating lessons fr…
Level B2HistoricalA Lost Leader: A Tale of Restoration DaysAmid the turmoil of England’s Restoration, a young soldier stands witness to King Charles I's final journey, caught between loyalty and the fierce ideals of the era.
Level B2HistoricalA Little Union ScoutA young college graduate discovers a hidden scrapbook revealing tales of Captain Frank Leroy, a daring Union scout seen as hero or villain depending on the side.
Level B2HistoricalA Little Girl of Long Ago; Or, Hannah Ann: A Sequel to a Little Girl in Old New YorkIn 1846 New York, eleven-year-old Hanny Underhill navigates a world on the brink of change, filled with family warmth, historical reflections, and the excitement of a Valentine bal…
Level B2HistoricalA Little Girl in Old WashingtonA young girl from Kentucky navigates the complexities of a blended family in early 19th-century Washington, caught between rival loyalties and the hopes of a new home filled with c…
Level B2HistoricalA Little Girl in Old St. LouisIn the budding frontier town of old St.
Level B2HistoricalA Little Girl in Old San FranciscoA young girl embarks on a long journey from a quiet Maine village to the bustling, evolving city of San Francisco, carrying with her memories, dreams, and the weight of family hard…
Level B2HistoricalA Little Girl in Old QuebecIn the rugged early days of Quebec, a spirited young girl defies expectations and dreams of freedom beyond the fortress walls, while a hopeful newcomer navigates the wild landscape…
Level B2HistoricalA Little Girl in Old PittsburgAmid the hopeful stir of a small colonial town, a young girl grapples with the thrilling news of Cornwallis’s surrender, caught between her grandfather’s skepticism and the promise…
Level B2HistoricalA Little Girl in Old PhiladelphiaIn a Quaker household in old Philadelphia, spirited Primrose faces the challenges of growing up amid strict rules and uncertain futures.
Level B2HistoricalA Little Girl in Old New YorkA young girl faces the big city and a new life as her family prepares to leave the countryside for bustling New York, discovering the charm and challenges of a world filled with gr…
Level B2HistoricalA Little Girl in Old ChicagoA weary father and his young daughter arrive at a struggling settlement on the outskirts of Old Chicago, seeking a fresh start amid uncertain times.