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 B2AdventureReube Dare's Shad Boat: A Tale of the Tide CountryTwo friends return to their coastal hometown, where one has built a sturdy shad fishing boat to support his struggling family.
Level B2AdventureReed Anthony, Cowman: An AutobiographyFollow a young boy’s rugged journey through cattle drives and Civil War supply lines, as he learns the hard realities and traditions of a life spent with cattle in 19th-century Ame…
Level B2AdventureRedskin and Cow-Boy: A Tale of the Western PlainsIn the rugged gold rush camp of Cedar Gulch, three unlikely partners—tough cowboys and a limping, gentle-faced man known as Doctor—face harsh dangers and fierce rivalries while cha…
Level B2FantasyRedcoat Captain: A Story of That CountryIn a whimsical army where elephants guard the fort and promotions depend on passing ABCs, a young Redcoat Captain named Tiny dreams of marrying Mabel and securing a cozy home amid…
Level B2AdventureRedburn. His First Voyage: Being the Sailor Boy Confessions and Reminiscences of the Son-Of-A-Gentleman in the Merchant NavyA young man with a restless spirit leaves his quiet village to join a copper-fastened brig bound for Bremen, drawn by the romance and adventure of the sea.
Level B2AdventureRed stripesCaptured by Wyandot warriors, a defiant Virginian endures brutal captivity while plotting an escape through hostile territory.
Level B2AdventureRed Wagon Stories; or, Tales Told Under the TentStep into the vibrant world beneath the circus tent, where performers share gripping tales of showbiz hustle, daring feats, and the relentless chase for fame on the road.
Level B2AdventureRed Saunders: His Adventures West & EastA sharp-shooting cowboy faces a dangerous standoff when he unknowingly rides into hostile territory, forcing him to rely on wits and speed to escape a fierce band of warriors.
Level B2AdventureRed Cloud, the Solitary Sioux: A Story of the Great PrairieA young boy grows up in a small glen, dreaming of the vast world beyond the hills and the sea he glimpses from a mountain top.
Level B2AdventureReal Gold: A Story of AdventureTwo boys set out from a sun-drenched Pacific shore toward towering, snow-capped mountains rumored to hide untold riches.
Level B2AdventureRataplan, a Rogue Elephant; and Other StoriesIn the tangled forests of Ceylon, a solitary elephant named Rataplan roams with a mischievous spirit and a fierce temper, shunned by his herd and feared by all.
Level B2MysteryRancho Del Muerto, and Other Stories of Adventure: by Various Authors, from "Outing"A paymaster and his cautious clerk arrive at a sinister Arizona ranch haunted by past murder and shadowed by a ruthless proprietor.
Level B2AdventureRan Away to SeaA sixteen-year-old boy defies his loving parents and runs away to sea, driven by a lifelong passion for ocean adventures and tales of pirates, storms, and exotic lands.
Level B2MysteryRalph, the Train Dispatcher; Or, The Mystery of the Pay CarRalph, a sharp young train dispatcher, teams with veteran fireman Fogg to unravel the suspicious activities of three mysterious men targeting the Overland Express.
Level B2AdventureRalph on the Overland Express; Or, The Trials and Triumphs of a Young EngineerA young engineer takes the helm of the fastest locomotive on the Great Northern, racing against time to deliver the crucial China & Japan Mail.
Level B2AdventureRalph on the Midnight Flyer; or, The Wreck at Shadow ValleyAmid rising labor unrest on the Great Northern railroad, young dispatcher Ralph Fairbanks navigates tensions between officials and workers, uncovering the fragile balance of power…
Level B2AdventureRalph on the Engine; Or, The Young Fireman of the Limited MailA determined young fireman faces fierce rivalry and dangerous storms as he fights to prove his worth on the railroad and protect his family’s legacy against a ruthless magnate’s th…
Level B2AdventureRalph in the Switch Tower; Or, Clearing the TrackIn the bustling switch tower of Stanley Junction, veteran railroader Jack Knight faces a crisis when his unreliable assistant Mort Bemis causes a devastating accident.
Level B2AdventureRalph Osborn, Midshipman at Annapolis: A Story of Life at the U.S. Naval AcademyAn ambitious young man dreams of joining the U.
Level B2AdventureRalph Gurney's Oil SpeculationTwo college friends reunite to explore the thrilling world of Pennsylvania’s oil fields, where civil engineering meets danger from patent-infringing “moonlighters” risking both lif…
Level B2AdventureRalph Granger's FortunesCaught in a bitter family feud, fifteen-year-old Ralph Granger faces the deadly task of avenging his father's death—but his heart pulls him toward peace instead of violence.
Level B2AdventureRalph Denham's Adventures in Burma: A Tale of the Burmese JungleA young man faces the weight of family loss and duty as he prepares to leave his struggling home in Liverpool for a new life working in a rice firm in distant Burma.
Level B2AdventureRaiding with MorganIn the aftermath of Shiloh, a daring Confederate general leads secret raids and covert operations, challenged by betrayal and shadowy alliances within the North’s rebellious underg…
Level B2AdventureRaftmates: A Story of the Great RiverA proud boy embarks on his first journey down the mighty Mississippi aboard the Venture, a finely crafted raft carrying lumber and wheat to distant markets.
Level B2AdventureRadio Boys in the Secret Service; Or, Cast Away on an IcebergTwin brothers Walter and Guy Burton, radio enthusiasts with a knack for wireless technology, embark on thrilling adventures that combine cutting-edge radio communication with darin…
Level B2AdventureRadio Boys in the Flying Service; or, Held For Ransom by Mexican BanditsWhen a daring bank robbery leaves a wounded father and stolen cash, three resourceful young men race against time using planes and radio to track down the bandits escaping through…
Level B2MysteryRadio Boys Loyalty; Or, Bill Brown Listens InTwo ingenious friends enter a prestigious technical school where their skills and loyalty are tested against hazing and rivalry.
Level B2AdventureQueensland CousinsAmid the rugged beauty of Queensland, a lively family awaits a long-anticipated parcel from England, revealing the tensions and tender bonds that shape their adventurous frontier l…
Level B2Science FictionQueen of the Flaming DiamondIn a bustling night club, a mysterious dancer captivates the crowd with a dazzling diamond that seems almost otherworldly, drawing a reluctant, troubled man into a night of intrigu…
Level B2AdventureQueen of the Dawn: A Love Tale of Old EgyptIn a land torn by war, an infant princess named Nefra is hidden from the conquerors who demand her surrender, while mysterious divine forces surround her birth, hinting at a destin…
Level B2RomancePrize of the airA daring pilot with a revoked license agrees to fly a banker and his spirited daughter across the country, navigating risky skies and unexpected tensions.
Level B2FantasyPrince Ricardo of Pantouflia: Being the Adventures of Prince Prigio's SonIn a kingdom where fairy gifts shape destinies, Prince Ricardo defies expectations by shunning books and chasing wild adventures, much to his clever father King Prigio’s concern.
Level B2AdventurePrince Jan, St. BernardIn the snowy Alps, young St.
Level B2AdventurePrince Dusty: A Story of the Oil RegionsTwelve-year-old Arthur, teased and outcast by his cousins, embarks on a daring adventure with his cousin Cynthia as they imagine themselves a prince and princess exploring a world…
Level B2AdventurePost HasteIn a rugged Irish coastal village, young Philip Maylands idolizes the daring yet troubled George Aspel, whose Viking heritage fuels dreams of adventure and freedom amidst harsh sea…
Level B2AdventurePorto Bello goldA young man navigates secretive plots and pirate threats in colonial New York, where adventure calls from both sea and wilderness.
Level B2RomancePolly's Business VentureReturning to America with a mysterious wireless message in hand, Polly Brewster navigates friendship, flirtation, and the thrill of a secret admirer aboard an Atlantic liner—where…
Level B2AdventurePoison IslandA young boy's life changes forever when he encounters the mysterious Captain Coffin in 1813 Falmouth, setting him on a perilous journey toward a deadly island shrouded in secrets a…
Level B2AdventurePo-No-Kah: An Indian Tale of Long AgoIn a frontier settlement surrounded by wilderness and danger, young Bessie Hedden and her siblings find joy and adventure under the watchful protection of their brave dog, Bouncer.
Level B2AdventurePluck on the Long Trail; Or, Boy Scouts in the RockiesSix Boy Scouts of the Elk Patrol embark on a daring 100-mile journey through the Rocky Mountains, carrying a secret message and relying on their scout skills to navigate wild terra…
Level B2AdventurePixy's Holiday JourneyThree inseparable boys form a secret alliance inspired by the heroes of the Iliad, creating their own armory and adopting legendary names.
Level B2Science FictionPirates of the GormIn a solar system rife with alien intrigue, a secret agent aboard a space-flier awakens to an assassination attempt by a mysterious Ganymedan pirate.
Level B2AdventurePioneer boys of the gold fieldsThree determined boys from different backgrounds join the 1849 California Gold Rush, facing wild beasts, treacherous terrain, and ruthless thieves in their quest for fortune and ad…
Level B2RomancePimpernel and RosemaryIn war-torn Guillaumet, a weary woman secretly mends soldiers' uniforms, hiding tiny messages within, while enduring a harsh and cynical admirer.
Level B2AdventurePicture stuffVeteran pilot Russ Healy, haunted by a near-fatal crash caused by reckless camera-ship pilots, faces new dangers when a daring woman joins their flying circus to perform wing-to-wi…
Level B2AdventurePicked up at Sea: The Gold Miners of Minturne CreekCaught in a fierce Atlantic gale, the crew of the Susan Jane spots a lone survivor clinging to wreckage in the tempestuous Bay of Biscay.
Level B2AdventurePicked up Adrift: IllustratedStranded on a mysterious, waterlogged ship with dwindling supplies, a group of castaways faces starvation, strange encounters, and desperate decisions as they navigate isolation an…
Level B2AdventurePhilip Steele of the Royal Northwest Mounted PoliceCaught between the fierce wilderness and haunting memories, Philip Steele faces a lonely stormy night with a mysterious skull and a letter scented with hyacinth that pulls him back…