CEFR B2 · Upper-intermediate
Read Upper-intermediate Classics in English (B2)
1135 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 B2HistoricalIn the days of Queen MaryTwin brothers William and Ralph, raised amid Sussex’s rolling downs and courtly intrigues, navigate family loyalty and royal favor under the warm glow of Tudor England’s fading lig…
Level B2AdventureIn the Yellow SeaRejected from the navy due to a supposed eyesight defect, a determined young man grapples with disappointment while harboring dreams of adventure on the seas between China and Japa…
Level B2AdventureIn the WildernessA peaceful blackberry-picking excursion turns thrilling when an unexpected encounter with a bear in the Adirondack wilderness challenges the narrator's courage and wit, blending hu…
Level B2AdventureIn the Rockies with Kit CarsonTwo boys chase a thief through the rugged Pueblo of Los Angeles, confronting suspicious soldiers and a grumpy captain who guards secrets beneath the adobe walls.
Level B2AdventureIn the Reign of Terror: The Adventures of a Westminster BoyA sturdy English boy is sent to revolutionary France, where liberty fights chaos and danger lurks at every turn.
Level B2AdventureIn the Mahdi's GraspIn Victorian London, a dedicated servant and a scholarly doctor navigate the peculiarities of high society and mysterious tales from distant lands, including a soldier’s long-burie…
Level B2AdventureIn the Heart of the Rockies: A Story of Adventure in ColoradoA sixteen-year-old boy, burdened by family loss and limited prospects, contemplates leaving home to seek adventure and support his sisters struggling to keep their family together…
Level B2AdventureIn the Hands of the Malays, and Other StoriesA man with a mysterious past and a fierce temper stirs tension aboard a Dutch ship bound for Java, where danger and betrayal lurk beneath the promise of Eastern trade and conquest.
Level B2AdventureIn the Hands of the Cave-DwellersA young American sailor deserts his brutal ship in 1832 San Diego, only to find himself entangled in local dangers and alliances after rescuing a Mexican nobleman from a midnight a…
Level B2AdventureIn the Days of Washington: A Story of the American RevolutionAmid the shadowed streets of occupied Philadelphia, a young student is summoned on a secret night mission that could change the fate of the American Revolution.
Level B2HistoricalIn the Days of Queen VictoriaFollow the early life of Alexandrina Victoria, a royal baby destined to become a beloved queen, as her family navigates court intrigues, names, and the hopes of a nation eager for…
Level B2HistoricalIn the Days of Queen ElizabethAmid political intrigue and royal executions, witness the turbulent early life of Princess Elizabeth as England navigates betrayal, power struggles, and the shadow of a fallen quee…
Level B2RomanceIn the Days of Poor RichardAmidst the turbulent backdrop of pre-Revolutionary America, spirited young Jack Irons and the seasoned scout Solomon Binkus navigate danger, friendship, and adventure in the untame…
Level B2AdventureIn the Days of Chivalry: A Tale of the Times of the Black PrinceIn the autumnal forests of Gascony, twin brothers born of noble blood but raised humbly dream of reclaiming their birthright amid brewing conflict between England and France.
Level B2AdventureIn a new worldTwo American boys forge a new life in Australia’s wild frontiers, facing shipwrecks, treachery, and the thrill of gold mining as they seek fortune and adventure far from home.
Level B2AdventureIn Times of Peril: A Tale of IndiaAmid the tranquil British cantonments of 1857 India, young Ned and Dick Warrener navigate the challenges of colonial life just as unrest begins to stir.
Level B2HistoricalIn The Boyhood of Lincoln: A Tale of the Tunker Schoolmaster and the Times of Black HawkIn the rugged Illinois frontier, a dedicated Tunker schoolmaster shapes young Abraham Lincoln’s character amid pioneer hardships, Indian tales, and the trials of early American set…
Level B2AdventureIn Texas with Davy CrockettTwo young men aboard a steamboat on the Mississippi sense danger as suspicious figures watch their every move, hinting at a secret mission linked to the brewing conflict in Texas.
Level B2HistoricalIn Search of a SonIn the serene French countryside, a man receives a mysterious telegram that promises the return of an old friend, sparking hope and anticipation in his quiet château.
Level B2AdventureIn Savage Africa: Or, The adventures of Frank Baldwin from the Gold Coast to Zanzibar.A young boy's school days end abruptly when he receives a thrilling invitation to join his father's ship, embarking on a voyage from the Gold Coast to Zanzibar.
Level B2AdventureIn Quest of Gold; Or, Under the Whanga FallsTwo brothers face the threat of losing their beloved family run to a ruthless creditor eager to claim it all.
Level B2AdventureIn Paths of Peril: A Boy's Adventures in Nova ScotiaA resilient boy and his devoted aunt escape war-torn France to begin anew in wild Nova Scotia, where adventure and new alliances await amid untamed lands and indigenous tribes.
Level B2AdventureIn New Granada; Or, Heroes and PatriotsAmidst the lush landscapes of New Granada, a naval surgeon and his young ward face capture and peril after a hunting expedition turns deadly, sparking a daring struggle for freedom…
Level B2AdventureIn Kentucky with Daniel BooneA resolute hunter in colonial North Carolina confronts dwindling game and oppressive British rule, while hearing tales of a wild, untamed land beyond the Laurel Ridge—ripe for expl…
Level B2AdventureIn Hostile RedTwo young officers captured near Philadelphia find themselves caught in a dangerous game of deception during the Revolutionary War.
Level B2AdventureIn Honour's Cause: A Tale of the Days of George the FirstTwo young courtiers navigate the stiff, formal life of the royal palace amid whispers of loyalty and power in the days of George the First, craving freedom beyond the heavy Dutch e…
Level B2AdventureIn Greek Waters: A Story of the Grecian War of IndependenceA young scholar, captivated by his Greek heritage and fueled by a passion for his ancestral land, embarks on a journey into the turbulent early years of the Greek War of Independen…
Level B2HistoricalHow The Redoubt Was Taken: 1896A young soldier faces his first battle at the ominous redoubt of Cheverino, where superstition and deadly fire test his courage and resolve amid the chaos of war.
Level B2HistoricalHow Private George W. Peck Put Down the Rebellion: or, The Funny Experiences of a Raw Recruit - 1887A reluctant recruit joins a cavalry regiment late in the Civil War, expecting an easy ride and a quick payday.
Level B2HistoricalHope and Have; or, Fanny Grant Among the Indians: A Story for Young PeopleA mischievous girl faces a stern warning: behave well or be sent away to live among the Minnesota Indians during a time of great unrest.
Level B2AdventureHonor Bright: A Story of the Days of King CharlesA young boy named Charles, confined in a tower room overlooking a vibrant garden, grapples with mysterious sorrow despite his privileged surroundings and gifts.
Level B2AdventureHolidays at BrightonTwo boys explore the bustling seaside town of Brighton, discovering its sparkling sea, grand pier, and strange new buildings while learning about the engineering marvels and seasid…
Level B2HistoricalHistory of Orrin PierceRaised by a devout mother in a quaint cottage by the sea, young Orrin Pierce learns Scripture and the wonders of nature, nurturing a tender faith and a heart longing for holiness.
Level B2HistoricalHistoric Girls: Stories Of Girls Who Have Influenced The History Of Their TimesDiscover the inspiring stories of young girls across history who defy their times with courage, wit, and heart, from the dazzling ancient city of Palmyra to far-reaching lands, pro…
Level B2AdventureHighway Pirates; or, The Secret Place at CoverthorneTwo rival schoolboy tribes, the daring Foxes and the ruthless Eagles, clash in secret woods where adventure and danger lurk at every turn.
Level B2HistoricalHeroines of the Modern StageExplore the captivating lives of groundbreaking actresses who transformed the modern stage, from Sarah Bernhardt’s extraordinary rise amid personal turmoil to the vibrant careers o…
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 B2AdventureHereward, the Last of the EnglishOutlawed and driven from home, a fierce English hero embarks on a daring journey through battles, alliances, and enchanted encounters as he fights to reclaim his land and honor in…
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 B2RomanceHer own peopleIn the vibrant spa town of Homburg, Captain Malcolm Haig grapples with financial hardship and his uncle's push to marry for money.
Level B2HistoricalHenry VIII and His Court: A Historical NovelIn 1543, Catharine Parr becomes King Henry VIII’s sixth wife, stepping into a world of opulent ceremonies and perilous court intrigues where a single misstep could mean ruin or dea…
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 B2HistoricalHello, Boys!Poignant verses capture the spirit and sacrifice of soldiers and sailors during the Great War, offering heartfelt tributes from the battlefields and camps of France to the shores o…
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 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 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 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.