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.
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Level B2HistoricalHeroines That Every Child Should Know: Tales for Young People of the World's Heroines of All AgesDiscover stories of courageous women whose strength and sacrifice stand beside history’s greatest heroes, revealing the quiet heroism that shapes nations and inspires generations t…
Level B2HistoricalHerbert Carter's Legacy; Or, the Inventor's SonIn a small village, young Herbert Carter faces taunts for his family's poverty but stands firm with courage and kindness.
Level B2Children'sHer own wayIn a modest London home shadowed by family tensions, Juliet defies expectations and stirs worry with her independent spirit and questionable friendships, while her sisters navigate…
Level B2AdventureHer Benny: A Story of Street LifeIn the foggy, cold streets of Liverpool, young Benny and his sister Nelly struggle to survive as street waifs, peddling matches and facing hardship with unwavering sibling devotion…
Level B2Children'sHelps and hints for Hallowe'enStep into a world of magical Halloween traditions with festive party ideas, spooky games, and ancient customs that bring witches, fairies, and fortune-telling to life.
Level B2HistoricalHelping Himself; Or, Grant Thornton's AmbitionA minister’s son faces crushing debt and family hardship, compelling him to seek work and forge his own path in 1857 New York.
Level B2Children'sHelen in the Editor's ChairIn a small town where Thursday means press day, young Helen steps into her family’s newspaper office to help with the weekly edition—but when her father falls ill, she must take ch…
Level B2Children'sHelen and Arthur; or, Miss Thusa's Spinning WheelYoung Helen and Arthur embark on a charming journey filled with vivid Southern scenery and heartfelt lessons, guided by the enigmatic Miss Thusa’s spinning wheel.
Level B2Children'sHelen Grant's SchooldaysAt Hope Center, fourteen-year-old Helen Grant navigates the challenges of schooldays, family secrets, and a yearning for belonging while surrounded by lively community traditions a…
Level B2Children'sHeimatlos: Two stories for children, and for those who love childrenIn a quiet mountain village, young Rico finds solace in music and his father's rare visits, while navigating the loneliness of home and the challenges of growing up.
Level B2HistoricalHector's Inheritance, Or, the Boys of Smith InstituteA young boy's future hinges on his uncle’s choice between two vastly different schools—one expensive and elite, the other affordable and homey—setting the stage for challenges, sec…
Level B2AdventureHearts of OakSet against the daring life of Horatio Nelson, this thrilling naval adventure follows young heroes navigating the perils of war, duty, and courage at sea, capturing the spirit of B…
Level B2Children'sHazelRain keeps Hazel indoors, nursing a cold and longing for the simple joys of childhood outside her narrow Boston apartment.
Level B2HistoricalHayslope Grange: A Tale of the Civil WarIn the shadow of England’s Civil War, a young man returns to his ancestral home, Hayslope Grange, where family loyalty, secret tensions, and the turmoil of divided loyalties threat…
Level B2MysteryHawaiian Sea Hunt MysteryIn the lush setting of a Hawaiian hotel, a mysterious man silently intrudes, while distant phone calls hint at hidden dangers and secretive plots involving the Brewster family.
Level B2Children'sHatty and Marcus: or, First Steps in the Better PathAmid the joyful chaos of children eager to welcome their sister Hatty home, young Marcus learns the value of kindness and responsibility through everyday family adventures.
Level B2AdventureHaste and Waste; Or, the Young Pilot of Lake Champlain. A Story for Young PeopleA seasoned young pilot steers a lumber-laden sloop across Lake Champlain, bracing for an unexpected squall that threatens the voyage.
Level B2AdventureHarry's IslandThree schoolboy captains of athletic teams bask in the summer heat on Fox Island, eagerly awaiting a grand boat race and school graduation festivities along the Hudson River.
Level B2Children'sHarry Watson's High School Days; Or, The Rivals of RivertownA new student arrives at Rivertown High, ready to prove his mettle against the school bully's challenge.
Level B2AdventureHarry Milvaine; Or, The Wanderings of a Wayward BoyA restless boy with a vivid imagination turns rainy days into daring naval battles and forest adventures alongside his loyal dog, exploring the wild Scottish pine woods and the rus…
Level B2Children'sHarry Harding—Messenger "45"A mischievous schoolboy faces punishment after a prank with a lifelike rubber snake lands him in trouble.
Level B2Children'sHarry Harding's Year of PromiseTwo friends spend a summer vacation filled with mischief, adventure, and meaningful stories that reveal the secret to happiness, inspiring them to make their year truly promising.
Level B2Children'sHarry Fenimore's PrinciplesIn a city where autumn's glow fades behind walls and pavements, young Hal Fenimore finds triumph and tension in a game of chess, revealing lessons about competition, kindness, and…
Level B2HistoricalHarebell's friendA lonely child named Harebell returns to England after losing her parents, only to face an uncertain future under the care of a stern aunt.
Level B2FantasyHarding's luckIn a grim, colorless neighborhood, lame boy Dickie dreams of green and life beyond the dirty yard he calls home, sparking a quiet rebellion as he and a kindly neighbor plot to tran…
Level B2AdventureHappy Pollyooly: The Rich Little Poor GirlA resourceful young housekeeper faces a mysterious threat to her friend, the dancer Esmeralda, involving a relentless nobleman abroad.
Level B2AdventureHappy Days for Boys and GirlsStep into a charming old English garden where young Polly, guided by her wise grandmother, discovers the simple joys of nature, imagination, and family through apple seeds, playful…
Level B2HistoricalHans Brinker; Or, The Silver SkatesIn a vivid journey through 19th-century Holland, young Hans Brinker and his sister Gretel navigate everyday life, Dutch traditions, and the challenges of a plucky little country th…
Level B2FantasyHans Andersen's Fairy TalesIn a misty northern moor ruled by the mysterious Marsh King, a lost princess of fairy descent arrives, stripped of her magical swan-feathers and trapped in a strange land.
Level B2AdventureHalsey & Co.: or, The Young Bankers and SpeculatorsIn the high-stakes world of Wall Street, young Fred Halsey uncovers a daring plot involving a forged check and risks everything to stop the criminals before they strike.
Level B2FantasyHalf-Hours with JimmieboyOn a restless Christmas Eve, a young boy named Jimmieboy discovers not one, but two Santa Clauses, who invite him on a magical adventure to help deliver gifts despite the challenge…
Level B2Children'sHalf a dozen boysSix boys navigate the joys and challenges of everyday life in a small New England town, where school, friendship, and unexpected trials, like Fred's sudden blindness, shape their c…
Level B2Children'sHalf a Dozen GirlsIn a sunny household filled with patchwork and playful quarrels, spirited Polly Adams navigates childhood's lessons in patience, friendship, and family warmth.
Level B2MysteryHal Kenyon DisappearsIn the rugged beauty of Mummy Cañon, a group of spirited Boy Scouts and their eccentric headmaster return from a mountain outing, ready to build a campfire and share stories.
Level B2Children'sGypsy's Cousin JoyA lively girl named Gypsy is suddenly summoned home from school under mysterious circumstances, sparking whispers and wild rumors in her town.
Level B2Children'sGypsy BreyntonGypsy Breynton is a lively, tomboyish girl full of mischief and heart, navigating childhood with scrapes, laughter, and a fearless spirit.
Level B2AdventureGypsies of the AirA determined young pilot takes to the skies in her trusty plane to search for two missing aviator friends on a perilous transatlantic flight, facing danger and uncertainty as she r…
Level B2AdventureGuy in the Jungle; Or, A Boy's Adventure in the Wilds of AfricaA young British captain is tasked with delivering secret documents to the Somali Coast Protectorate amid looming threats of an Abyssinian attack.
Level B2AdventureGuy Harris, the RunawayA spirited boy faces tough challenges from bullies and tests his mettle as he prepares for an unknown adventure on the prairie, armed with a mysterious match-box and a determinatio…
Level B2HistoricalGuy FalconerIn a world of debts and family secrets, a critical stroke of the pen sets the fate of the Old Moat House and its inhabitants in motion.
Level B2Children'sGutta-Percha Willie: The Working GeniusIn a quiet village surrounded by gentle hills, young Willie—nicknamed Gutta-Percha Willie—finds joy and purpose in learning the value of honest work and the wonders of nature, all…
Level B2AdventureGunpowder Treason and Plot, and Other Stories for BoysTwo mysterious infant brothers are found adrift in a clever floating nest, sparking a heartfelt adoption by a childless naval couple.
Level B2AdventureGulf and Glacier; or, The Percivals in AlaskaA lively group of young travelers embarks on a thrilling summer expedition from Boston to Alaska, exploring rugged landscapes and forging new friendships aboard a cross-continental…
Level B2Children'sGritli's ChildrenA fragile child confined indoors longs to join the vibrant life of a sunlit garden by the Rhine, where nature’s beauty and gentle river waves promise freedom and joy.
Level B2Children'sGrit; or, The Young Boatman of Pine PointA determined fifteen-year-old boy known as "Grit" supports his struggling mother while facing the impending return of his troubled stepfather, whose past mistakes threaten their ha…
Level B2AdventureGrit A-Plenty: A Tale of the Labrador WildIn the remote Labrador wilderness, trapper Thomas Angus and his family find comfort and adventure in their sturdy cabin by Eskimo Bay, surrounded by vast forests, rushing brooks, a…
Level B2HistoricalGreyfriars BobbyIn the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, a small Skye terrier named Bobby navigates the bustling, historic Grassmarket, drawn by the daily boom of the time-gun and the rhythms of city li…
Level B2Children'sGreycliff HeroinesSummer adventures unfold as spirited girls from Merrymeeting Camp prepare for a house party aboard a boat to Boston, guided by lively counselors and warm family ties.