CEFR B2 · Upper-intermediate
Read Upper-intermediate Classics in English (B2)
661 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 B2AdventureDefending the Island: A story of Bar Harbor in 1758Two families settle on rugged Mount Desert Island in 1758, forging homes behind sturdy palisades to protect against looming threats.
Level B2AdventureDecatur and SomersTwo young midshipmen embark on their first naval cruise aboard the formidable frigate United States, navigating the challenges of friendship, duty, and the perils of the sea in a t…
Level B2AdventureDeath-Dealer, the Shawnee Scourge; or The Wizard of the CliffsIn a tense frontier wilderness, a fierce scout known as the Death-Dealer relentlessly tracks Native American foes to protect settlers, driven by a grim past and unmatched survival…
Level B2FantasyDay of the DruidIn a fog-shrouded land, Gaar wrestles with restless longing and ancient legends of a sleeping beauty guarded by deadly Druids.
Level B2AdventureDave Darrin at Vera Cruz: Fighting with the U.S. Navy in MexicoA young naval officer on a quiet New York evening stumbles upon a tense confrontation between a woman and a threatening man, setting the stage for a gripping adventure filled with…
Level B2AdventureDave Darrin After the Mine Layers; Or, Hitting the Enemy a Hard Naval BlowTwo destroyer commanders embark on a perilous naval mission off the Irish coast, navigating hidden mines and enemy threats in a tense World War I wartime cruise.
Level B2RomanceDaughters of the Revolution and Their Times: 1769 - 1776 A Historical RomanceAmid rising tensions before the American Revolution, the daughters and mothers of Boston lead a quiet but powerful resistance against British taxation, reshaping social life and st…
Level B2AdventureDaughters of the Dominion: A Story of the Canadian FrontierIn the rugged Canadian frontier, Nell tends to her injured dog while navigating the challenges of a lonely homestead and the mysterious threats lurking in the wilderness.
Level B2RomanceDaughters of Nijo: A Romance of JapanIn a province torn by political strife, a humble farmer’s new bride defies convention to glimpse the dazzling royal parade, sparking a tale of love, duty, and the clash between sim…
Level B2HistoricalDaniraAfter a fierce storm, a young Austrian officer arrives at a remote, mountainous harbor where danger and mystery await.
Level B2AdventureDaniel Boone, BackwoodsmanVenture into the untamed American frontier alongside Daniel Boone, a fearless backwoodsman whose explorations and battles shape the westward expansion.
Level B2MysteryDan, the NewsboyA determined newsboy struggles to support his ailing mother after his father's financial ruin and death, while harboring a fierce desire to find the man who betrayed his family.
Level B2HistoricalDaddy Jake the Runaway, and Short Stories Told after DarkIn 1863 Georgia, trusted carriage-driver Daddy Jake shocks a plantation by running away after a fierce clash with a new overseer.
Level B2AdventureCutlass and CudgelA young midshipman aboard His Majesty’s cutter patrols a misty, treacherous coast to uncover the secrets of elusive smugglers.
Level B2HistoricalCudjo's CaveIn a divided Tennessee, a young Quaker schoolmaster faces violent mobs threatening tar and feathers, challenging his faith in nonviolence and courage as he stands firm amid rising…![Cover of Crying for the Light; Or, Fifty Years Ago. Vol. 1 [of 3] by J. Ewing Ritchie](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da89afkv7nos73d6p7r0.webp)
Level B2HistoricalCrying for the Light; Or, Fifty Years Ago. Vol. 1 [of 3]In the grim heart of Sloville’s Parker’s Piece, a squalid tenement houses a desperate community marked by poverty, violence, and fleeting hopes.
Level B2AdventureCrown and Sceptre: A West Country StoryA spirited West Country lad navigates moors, lakes, and deer herds, uncovering the wild beauty and hidden dangers of his rugged homeland.
Level B2HistoricalCrooked TrailsVenture into the untamed Texas frontier with the legendary Texas Rangers as they battle Comanches, Mexicans, and the wild landscape to claim and defend their land.
Level B2HistoricalCountry Life in the Poetry of John ClareAmid the sweeping enclosures of 18th-century England, rural communities face upheaval as traditional farming lands are consolidated and fenced off, transforming small farmers and l…
Level B2HistoricalCount BrühlIn the opulent courts of Saxony and Poland, a royal hunt sets the stage for intrigue and power as Prince Frederick, favored son of King Augustus II, navigates the dangers and dutie…
Level B2AdventureCormorant Crag: A Tale of the Smuggling DaysA spirited boy defies his strict doctor father to embrace a wild coastal life filled with cliff-climbing, fishing, and adventure.
Level B2AdventureConnecticut Boys in the Western Reserve: A Tale of the Moravian MassacreTwo young emigrants seek shelter from a storm at a closed tavern in the Western Reserve, only to encounter uneasy strangers and the shadow of recent violence.
Level B2AdventureCondemned as a Nihilist: A Story of Escape from SiberiaA young boy faces an unexpected departure to Russia, where he must navigate language barriers and a strange land under the shadow of Siberian prisons.
Level B2HistoricalCommodore JunkIn a tense coastal drama, a fiery woman confronts Captain Armstrong over a broken promise and a looming marriage, igniting fierce passions and dangerous secrets in a smuggling port…
Level B2MysteryColonel Thorndyke's SecretA valuable diamond bracelet stolen from a Hindu temple brings danger and mystery to the Thorndyke family in 18th century England, where highwaymen roam and dark forces pursue a dea…
Level B2AdventureColonel Crockett, the Texan trailerIn the wilds of Texas, Colonel Crockett embarks on a thrilling bear hunt amid vast landscapes teeming with fierce animals and dangers, from majestic buffalo to hostile tribes.
Level B2HistoricalChronicles of the Schonberg-Cotta FamilyAmidst the stirring backdrop of the Reformation, a young girl chronicles her family's intimate ties to Martin Luther, revealing the struggles and nobility found not in castles or c…
Level B2HistoricalChristmas LightIn a humble Bethlehem garden, eight-year-old Naomi delights in the simple beauty of her home and the rich stories of her ancestors, setting the scene for a heartwarming journey thr…
Level B2HistoricalChildren's Stories in American Literature, 1660-1860Journey back to 1661 as a missionary reads the Bible in the Mohegan language to captivated Native children, revealing the early efforts to blend cultures through faith and storytel…
Level B2HistoricalChildren of the Market PlaceBorn amid the turmoil of Waterloo, a young Englishman nurtured by his mother’s memory and raised amidst grand ideals must leave Oxford to claim an unexpected inheritance in America…
Level B2HistoricalChildren of South AmericaExplore the vast and vibrant continent of South America through the eyes of its children, from the towering Andes to the mighty Amazon, uncovering rich cultures, natural wonders, a…
Level B2HistoricalChildhoodAwakened on his tenth birthday by the quirky tutor Karl Ivanitch, a young boy navigates the bittersweet world of childhood, torn between annoyance and affection, bad dreams and bri…
Level B2HistoricalChild of the RegimentAmidst the chaos of Napoleon’s wars, a little girl orphaned in battle is taken in by a fierce French regiment, growing up with soldiers as her family and facing hardships on a peri…
Level B2AdventureChester Rand; or, The New Path to FortuneIn a small Pennsylvania village, hardworking Chester Rand struggles to support his widowed mother on a meager salary, facing the harsh realities of poverty and a stingy employer.
Level B2HistoricalChatterbox Stories of Natural HistoryExplore the fascinating lives of animals from the majestic Golden Eagle to the playful American black bear, capturing their instincts, habitats, and tender bonds in vivid, engaging…
Level B2AdventureChasing an Iron Horse; Or, A Boy's Adventures in the Civil WarAmid the stormy backdrop of the Civil War, a daring band of Union soldiers plot a secret mission to capture a Confederate train in enemy territory.
Level B2AdventureCharlie Codman's Cruise: A Story for BoysFourteen-year-old Charlie Codman struggles to help his family while dreaming of education, but a chance encounter with an eccentric miser sets him on an unexpected and challenging…
Level B2HistoricalCharley's Museum: A Story for Young PeopleA curious twelve-year-old boy receives a special attic museum filled with exotic shells and natural wonders from his uncle, inspiring him to explore the fascinating creatures behin…
Level B2AdventureCharge! A Story of Briton and BoerAmidst a rugged frontier homestead, a sudden warning of mounted men sets a family on alert, blending the challenges of pioneering life with the looming threat of conflict.
Level B2RomanceChantemerleIn the shadow of the Vendéan War, a young woman caught between courtly duty and forbidden love finds herself torn as political tensions rise and loyalty is tested.
Level B2RomanceCavalry Curt; Or, The Wizard Scout of the ArmyA fearless Union scout races through enemy lines in war-torn Georgia, defying capture with daring skill and unyielding spirit.
Level B2AdventureCattle-Ranch to College: The True Tales of a Boy's Adventures in the Far WestA cattleman races to warn a frontier town of an impending Indian attack, sparking tense preparations in the wild and lawless West.
Level B2HistoricalCatharine's perilAs Napoleon's army sets Moscow ablaze during its 1812 invasion of Russia, young Catharine Somoff becomes lost and alone amid the chaos.
Level B2HistoricalCathalina at GreycliffIn a summer home filled with family ties and tender moments, Cathalina Van Buskirk navigates the joys and trials of youth, longing for change amid the familiar rhythms of school, m…
Level B2HistoricalCast Upon the BreakersA wealthy young ward discovers his guardian has squandered his inheritance, leaving him penniless and forced to face a harsh reality.
Level B2AdventureCast Away in the Cold: An Old Man's Story of a Young Man's Adventures, as Related by Captain John Hardy, MarinerAn ancient mariner known as Captain Hardy returns to a small village, sparking curiosity and adventure among three eager children.
Level B2AdventureCarry On! A Story of the Fight for BagdadIn the ancient, desolate plains of Mesopotamia, two men land an aeroplane on a forgotten tell, awakening echoes of a long-lost civilization as they navigate a modern battle for Bag…
Level B2AdventureCarried Off: A Story of Pirate TimesA young farm boy’s restless spirit yearns for adventure beyond his quiet village, set against the backdrop of pirate-infested waters and historic coastal strongholds.