CEFR B2 · Upper-intermediate
Read Upper-intermediate Classics in English (B2)
3688 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.
- 3,688
- books
Level B2Children'sTales From Catland, for Little KittensIn a grand palace where a princess understands the language of animals, two very different cats—stern Glumdalkin and lively Friskarina—navigate their curious adventures, secrets, a…
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 B2Children'sTad Coon's TricksIn a lively woodland where every creature plays a role, clever dogs sing haunting hunting songs that stir the forest to life, while a rabbit and his friends grapple with the myster…
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 B2Children'sTabby's travelsA mischievous tortoiseshell kitten named Tabby navigates the warmth and trials of a bustling kitchen, where playful antics lead to unexpected adventures and lessons about curiosity…
Level B2FantasySylvie and BrunoIn a whimsical realm where protests for "Less Bread!
Level B2RomanceSydney Lisle, the Heiress of St. QuentinOn a rainy London afternoon, young Sydney Lisle eagerly awaits the arrival of her family, clutching a letter that promises her first literary success and a guinea prize—launching h…
Level B2HistoricalSyd Belton: The Boy Who Would Not Go to SeaA spirited boy from a proud naval family shocks his stern uncles by refusing the sea life expected of him, revealing his surprising ambition to become a doctor instead.
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 B2Children'sSweet P'sAn eight-year-old girl faces the overwhelming attention and endless gifts at her grand birthday gathering, while quietly pondering the puzzling contrasts of her privileged yet lone…
Level B2Children'sSweet ContentA delicate baby survives a devastating scarlet fever outbreak that claims her siblings, leaving her family forever changed.
Level B2Children'sSusan: A Story for ChildrenLeft behind while her family journeys to care for her ailing brother, young Susan faces a winter with a mysterious and unfamiliar aunt by the seaside.
Level B2Children'sSusan and Edward; Or, A Visit to Fulton MarketTwo curious children explore the bustling Fulton Market in early 19th-century New York, discovering lively stalls filled with fresh meats, fish, exotic turtles, and vibrant fruits.
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 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 B2PoetrySugar and Spice: Comical Tales Comically DressedChildren transform daily chores into lively adventures, from playful parties to inventive boot-making and garden games, revealing the joy and lessons hidden in everyday moments.
Level B2Children'sSue, A Little HeroineIn a gritty London neighborhood, young Sue navigates tough streets and rough characters, drawn to the inspiring sermons of a street preacher.
Level B2Children'sSturdy and Strong; Or, How George Andrews Made His WayYoung George Andrews faces hardship when his mother must enter a workhouse infirmary due to failing health, leaving him alone and determined to rise above adversity through perseve…
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 B2Children'sStrive and Thrive; or, Stories for the Example and Encouragement of the YoungTwo boys face a life-or-death test of courage when their friend breaks through thin ice while skating.
Level B2Children'sStrive and Succeed; or, The Progress of Walter ConradA determined young boy adopts a new identity to investigate a suspicious mining company's downfall and uncover hidden truths.
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 B2Children'sStraight forward; or, walking in the lightAt school, Lucy’s steadfast refusal to spend beyond her means contrasts sharply with her peers’ impulsive debts, sparking a moral tale about honesty, self-control, and walking in t…
Level B2Children'sStory-Tell LibIn a quiet mountain village, a fragile, crippled girl known as Story-Tell Lib captivates her neighbors with simple, heartfelt tales that teach gentle truths without preaching.
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 B2Children'sStories told by the millerOrphaned siblings Janet and Peter endure harsh days with their cruel grandmother near the mysterious mill by the pool.
Level B2Children'sStories of the Old WorldA young hero, Jason, embarks on a perilous quest to retrieve the legendary Golden Fleece, assembling a band of extraordinary warriors and facing divine challenges on the voyage of…
Level B2Children'sStories of the Nibelungen for Young PeopleIn a kingdom ruled by a wise king, his willful son Siegfried sets out to seek his fortune and discovers a mysterious blacksmith and a deadly forest monster.
Level B2Children'sStories of a GovernessFour children, still mourning their mother, eagerly await their new governess, whose quiet grace and gentle presence may bring warmth and guidance to their lonely home amid the ble…
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 B2Children'sStories of Old Greece and RomeStep into a world where gods rule from shining Olympus and mighty heroes shape the fate of mankind.
Level B2PoetryStories of Many LandsJourney across continents to meet children from England to China, discovering that despite cultural differences, their joys, mischiefs, and dreams are remarkably alike.
Level B2HistoricalStories of Heroic Deeds for Boys and Girls: Historical Series - Book IIDiscover timeless tales of gods, mortals, and moral lessons that bring history to life—where divine encounters spark justice, music contests reveal pride, and kindness shines amid…
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 B2HistoricalStories of Animal SagacityDiscover the cleverness of animals as they use reason and perseverance to solve problems, from a cat who learns to knock on a door to gain entry, to other tales revealing surprisin…
Level B2Children'sStories from the Iliad; Or, the siege of TroyAmidst gods’ rivalries and mortal passions, a golden apple sparks a legendary conflict as Paris’s choice ignites the decade-long siege of Troy, where heroes rise and kingdoms clash…
Level B2Children'sStories from SwitzerlandYoung readers discover the joy and wisdom found in the Bible through heartfelt stories of children learning to read and share its teachings in the Swiss countryside, inspiring kind…
Level B2Children'sStories from Hans AndersenA wicked demon creates a mirror that distorts beauty and goodness, shattering into shards that twist the world’s view and freeze hearts like ice.
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 B2AdventureStories about —Enter a cozy evening filled with lively tales of mischievous monkeys, drawn from personal encounters rather than books.
Level B2Children'sStories Worth RereadingA young boy receives a mysterious series of secret instructions from his father, setting him on a suspenseful journey of obedience and discovery that will test his character and co…
Level B2Children'sStories About IndiansExplore the lives, customs, and heroic tales of Native American tribes through vivid stories of bravery, gratitude, and cleverness, revealing their rich culture, traditions, and en…
Level B2HistoricalStories About IndiansExplore vivid tales of Native American life, from the construction of wigwams and warrior bravery to acts of gratitude and clever stratagems, revealing the rich culture and history…
Level B2Children'sStick to the raftAmid the serene Bavarian Fir Mountains, a devoted wood-cutter and his son prepare to navigate life's hardships and the winding river Saale on a sturdy raft, holding fast to faith a…
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.