CEFR B2 · Upper-intermediate
Read Upper-intermediate Classics in English (B2)
2602 books graded at CEFR B2 (upper-intermediate) — learn English by reading the stories worth reading at exactly your level. Tap any word for an instant translation, listen to the narration, and save the vocabulary you meet. Start with a free sample.
What are the best B2 books to read in English?
The best B2 books to read in English are well-known classics whose own language sits at that level — start with £19,000, Zula and Zoraida: A Romance of the Harem and the Great Sahara. Each is the complete book, labelled CEFR B2 (upper-intermediate), with tap-to-translate, narration and saved vocabulary, so you read a real story while building the English you actually meet in it.
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Level B2AdventureTales of the Sea, and of Our Jack TarsA spirited young boy dubbed "Happy Jack" defies his father's ambitions to chase adventure on the sea, joining the crew of the weathered brig Naiad and setting sail to explore stran…
Level B2AdventureTales of the Malayan Coast: From Penang to the PhilippinesImmerse yourself in the vibrant Malayan coast, where young Baboo’s daring encounters with jungle beasts and the rich tapestry of local life reveal a world of adventure and cultural…
Level B2AdventureTales of the Fish PatrolIn the perilous waters of San Francisco Bay, a daring fish patrol battles illegal fishermen whose destructive nets threaten the fragile marine life.
Level B2FantasyTales of the CaliphUnder the cover of night, a disguised caliph roams the bustling bazaars, uncovering a deadly conspiracy involving palace theft and ruthless pirates.
Level B2AdventureTales of South AfricaIn the wilds of 19th-century South Africa, a seasoned hunter and his Boer companion pursue the elusive Verloren Vlei, a mysterious mountain lake rumored to hold gold and secrets—wh…
Level B2AdventureTales of Shipwrecks and Other Disasters at SeaA young man’s dream of adventure at sea is set against the harsh realities of storms, shipwrecks, and survival when he joins a voyage fraught with danger and unexpected disaster.
Level B2RomanceTales of RomanceIn a richly wooded medieval England, an outlaw named Robin Hood defies the law to protect the poor and challenge the powerful.
Level B2AdventureTales of Folk and FairiesA humble lad named Ashipattle faces scorn and hardship until a monstrous Stoorworm threatens the kingdom, prompting a desperate quest to save the princess and the realm.
Level B2AdventureTales from the Works of G. A. HentySurvivors of a deadly fever-stricken ship plead for rescue aboard a whaling vessel navigating the South Seas, where storms and hostile encounters test their courage and survival.
Level B2AdventureTales from Spenser, Chosen from the Faerie QueeneIn a realm where magic and valor intertwine, a humble young knight dons enchanted armor to aid Una, a brave princess seeking to free her captive parents from a fearsome dragon.
Level B2AdventureTales From Scottish BalladsAn old, blind harper from Lochmaben, thought simple by his neighbors, sets out on a daring quest to steal the English king’s prized brown horse, relying on his wits, his loyal mare…
Level B2AdventureTaking Tales: Instructive and Entertaining ReadingIn a village where good water and clean air prevail, mysterious fevers still strike, prompting Farmer Grey to uncover hidden dangers lurking beneath the cottages.
Level B2AdventureTad Coon's Great AdventureLost in the woods, Tad Coon’s friends rally the woodland creatures for a daring rescue, while Nibble Rabbit discovers unexpected love and new challenges in the Deep Woods.
Level B2AdventureSwept Out to Sea; Or, Clint Webb Among the WhalersA tense fishing trip turns into a life-changing adventure when a quarrel between cousins aboard the sloop Wavecrest sets off a chain of unexpected events on the open sea.
Level B2AdventureSunshine and snowAt Firdene School, Charley Gordon excels in academics and athletics, facing fierce competitions and unexpected challenges during a winter day’s paper-chase.
Level B2AdventureSunshine BillA spirited boy known as Sunshine Bill navigates hardship and loss with unbreakable cheer, taking on odd jobs to support his struggling family by the sea.
Level B2AdventureSunset Pass; or, Running the Gauntlet Through Apache LandA seasoned captain defies warnings to lead his small family and trusted companions through the perilous Apache lands along Sunset Pass, where danger lurks in every shadow and survi…
Level B2AdventureSummer DaysAs summer begins, Alice Grey eagerly leaves the scorching city for her family’s cottage at Sandy Shore, where friendship and adventure with Susy Lee promise a delightful escape fil…
Level B2AdventureStruggling Upward, or Luke Larkin's LuckIn a small village, a determined boy with humble means challenges the privileged son of a wealthy banker to a daring skating race for a prized watch, setting the stage for a story…
Level B2AdventureStrange Stories of the Great Valley: The Adventures of a Boy PioneerA boy pioneer in 1816 Ohio navigates the wilderness on a flatboat, seeking fortune and safety amidst the untamed frontier.
Level B2AdventureStrange Stories of the Great River: The Adventures of a Boy ExplorerA spirited boy explorer joins daring French adventurers navigating the mysterious Great River, encountering wild tribes, untamed landscapes, and strange legends that shape the dest…
Level B2AdventureStrange Stories of Colonial DaysJourney through early colonial America where alliances with Native American leaders, daring escapes, and tense confrontations shape a vivid panorama of survival and conflict, revea…
Level B2AdventureStorm-Bound; or, A Vacation Among the Snow DriftsFour Boy Scouts embark on a winter adventure to surprise a reclusive uncle in a remote snowbound forest, but when they lose their way, their scouting skills and teamwork are put to…
Level B2AdventureStormA devastating tornado levels the isolated town of Rock Springs, leaving its residents in desperate need of help.
Level B2AdventureStormIn a rugged highland land haunted by ancient legends and fierce rivalries, Hardcastle, Master of Logie, confronts the menacing Wilderness Folk who claim tribute from all who pass.
Level B2RomanceStories of the RailroadAmidst the grit and grind of 1863 railroad life, a young fireman finds family and hope with the seasoned engineer James Dillon and his wife, who secretly plans a Christmas gift tha…
Level B2AdventureStories of Ships and the SeaTensions rise aboard the seal-hunting schooner Sophie Sutherland as young Chris Farrington, eager to prove himself equal to seasoned sailors, faces prejudice and injury just as a f…
Level B2AdventureStories of Robin HoodIn a land ruled by cruel Normans, young Robin Hood vows to fight injustice by stealing from greedy lords to aid the starving poor.
Level B2FantasyStories of EnchantmentIn a hidden mountain valley where reality and enchantment intertwine, a white-haired girl named Snow-flower grows up among a Native tribe, caught between two worlds and the mysteri…
Level B2AdventureStories of ChildhoodOrphaned boy Nello and his loyal dog Patrasche forge an unbreakable bond in a humble Flemish village, where hardship and kindness intertwine beneath the watchful eyes of an aging w…
Level B2AdventureStories for BoysA young reporter, hardened by three years covering disasters, crime, and political upheaval, longs for a break from the relentless chaos of New York newsrooms to write his novel—un…
Level B2MysteryStories by English Authors: Africa (Selected by Scribners)In the wilds of Cape Colony, two down-on-their-luck friends face eerie legends and unexpected dangers when a mysterious fiend haunts Sasassa Valley, threatening their fate as they…
Level B2AdventureStories about —Enter a cozy evening filled with lively tales of mischievous monkeys, drawn from personal encounters rather than books.
Level B2AdventureSteve YoungA determined captain and a resilient sixteen-year-old set out on a perilous Arctic expedition to find a lost schooner trapped in the icy northern seas.
Level B2AdventureSteve YeagerA broke cowpuncher clings to fading Western ways until a sudden encounter with disguised villains and a mysterious girl plunges him into a dangerous game of deception and survival…
Level B2AdventureStem to Stern; or, building the boatOn the shores of Lake Champlain, a determined young boat-builder navigates challenges both on the water and in life, blending adventure with hands-on lessons in shipbuilding and sa…
Level B2AdventureStand By: The Story of a Boy's Achievement in RadioIn a forgotten village clinging to the past, Lee Renaud discovers a mysterious glass wheel—an old device that once sparked dreams of harnessing electricity.
Level B2AdventureStand By The UnionA young lieutenant on the eve of deployment faces mysterious nighttime visitors amid the tense backdrop of the Civil War.
Level B2AdventureStan Lynn: A Boy's Adventures in ChinaA boy recently returned to his family’s vast warehouse in China must quickly learn to wield a sword and pistol when river pirates attempt a daring nighttime break-in, thrusting him…
Level B2AdventureSt. Nicholas, Vol. 13, No. 10, August 1886Isolated in a solitary cabin deep within Wyoming's Rocky Mountains, a lone hermit embraces the wild with only his horse and dog for company, sharing the rugged beauty and challenge…
Level B2AdventureSt. George for EnglandIn a stormy night of medieval England, a weary woman seeks refuge in a humble village, setting the stage for a tale of courage and chivalry as England’s martial spirit rises to leg…
Level B2Science FictionSpoilers of the SpacewaysIn a desperate bid against alien conquerors, a man undergoes a radical transformation to become a Trygonian officer, inheriting not only their knowledge but the burden of espionage…
Level B2AdventureSpears of destinyIn a springtime chase through Crowden Wood, a young Norman and a Saxon girl hunt a cunning fox, leading to a tense encounter that sets the stage for a daring adventure amidst polit…
Level B2Science FictionSpace BatLou Flint defends a fragile ecosystem on a wild planetoid from ruthless hunters wielding deadly ice-ray pistols.
Level B2AdventureSon of PowerAn orphaned boy, drawn irresistibly to the wild creatures of the zoo, grows into a man who understands the secret needs of powerful animals.
Level B2AdventureSomewhere south in SonoraIn the sweltering heat of a fading gold rush town, a white miner raises a son of Mexican heritage amid simmering racial tensions and secrets.
Level B2AdventureSome Little PeopleYoung Lisbeth dreams of London, the only proper place to live, but she lives a hundred miles away in the countryside.
Level B2Science FictionSolid SolutionIn a vast desert owned by the enigmatic genius David Adam Smith, expelled students struggle with their fate while uncovering a groundbreaking method to enlarge geological specimens…