CEFR B2 · Upper-intermediate
Read Upper-intermediate Classics in English (B2)
7164 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 B2ClassicsStories from TagoreA curious young girl befriends a gentle fruit seller from Kabul, sparking a tender connection that bridges their worlds.
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 B2ClassicsStories from Northern MythsBefore the earth existed, fiery sparks meet icy mists, birthing giants and gods in a world of cosmic battles and creation.
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 B2ClassicsStories by Foreign Authors: ScandinavianA wealthy parish leader navigates the joys and sorrows of fatherhood, facing profound loss and seeking redemption in a tale of faith, family, and the enduring hope for a true bless…
Level B2ClassicsStories by Foreign Authors: Polish, Greek, Belgian, HungarianAn aging soldier, weathered by battles and wanderings, seeks solace as the new lighthouse keeper on a remote, rocky island where isolation and duty converge amid treacherous waters…
Level B2ClassicsStories by Foreign Authors: ItalianAs Italy braces for the army's advance on Rome, a young patriot defies his family's fears and sets out to witness history firsthand, igniting a clash of ideals and emotions within…
Level B2ClassicsStories by English Authors: Germany (Selected by Scribners)A young woman arrives alone at a Swiss hotel, tuning the piano with a passion that surprises onlookers and sparks curiosity.
Level B2MysteryStories by English Authors: Africa (Selected by Scribners)In the wilds of Cape Colony, two down-on-their-luck friends face eerie legends and unexpected dangers when a mysterious fiend haunts Sasassa Valley, threatening their fate as they…
Level B2ClassicsStories by American Authors, Volume 6A young man recently released from prison returns to his small village, where suspicion and sympathy mingle as he struggles to rebuild his life amid wary neighbors and old ties.
Level B2ClassicsStories and SketchesIn a rural farming village, a mysterious, aged-looking boy named Terry Dolan carries the weight of a harsh past from Ireland while battling loneliness and fear in his new home, whe…
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 B2Science FictionStopoverIn a post-war world fractured by atomic devastation, a weary young Searcher with mysterious powers arrives in a small town, seeking lost family and a place to belong.
Level B2ClassicsStill JimIn a struggling New England quarry town, young Jim grapples with his father's pride, immigrant workers, and the fading legacy of their forefathers as he dreams of his own place in…
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.
Level B2AdventureSteve YeagerA broke cowpuncher clings to fading Western ways until a sudden encounter with disguised villains and a mysterious girl plunges him into a dangerous game of deception and survival…![Cover of Stepping backwards [Night watches, Part 5.] by W. Jacobs](https://dsx1pat3ljtul.cloudfront.net/books/da6jn92pmtvc73csnnp0.webp)
Level B2ClassicsStepping backwards [Night watches, Part 5.]A man in his fifties, tired of being mistaken for his elders, undergoes a dramatic transformation by shaving and dyeing his hair, only to face the shock and disbelief of those who…
Level B2ClassicsStepping HeavenwardA spirited sixteen-year-old girl begins a journal to confront her flaws and fulfill her mother's hopes, navigating self-doubt, family tensions, and the challenges of growing up wit…
Level B2Children'sStephen Grattan's Faith: A Canadian StoryStruggling against a haunting past of addiction, John Morely and his devoted wife face the harsh realities of poverty and temptation in a new land.
Level B2HistoricalStep by Step; Or, Tidy's Way to FreedomA powerful narrative unfolds the brutal reality of slavery, revealing its crushing impact on body, mind, and soul while exploring the hope for freedom and true liberty amid a natio…
Level B2AdventureStem to Stern; or, building the boatOn the shores of Lake Champlain, a determined young boat-builder navigates challenges both on the water and in life, blending adventure with hands-on lessons in shipbuilding and sa…
Level B2Science FictionStellar VengeanceTrapped in a remote cabin with a captured alien warning of impending doom, a geologist faces a tense standoff as extraterrestrial reinforcements arrive seeking their comrade’s free…
Level B2RomanceStella RoseveltA young orphan braves a terrifying Atlantic storm aboard a lonely steamer, finding unexpected comfort in the silent presence of a mysterious old man amid the ship’s desperate strug…
Level B2Science FictionSteel Giants of ChaosGene Drummond returns from a perilous Venus expedition only to find Earth caught in chaos, where mysterious forces threaten survival and loyalty is tested.
Level B2ClassicsStarr, of the DesertIn a bustling city, Peter Stevenson grapples with his wife Helen May’s fragile health and a doctor's urgent advice to seek a radical change of climate.
Level B2Science FictionStar of RebirthA desperate tribe faces starvation as their last hunt yields no game, forcing their leader Atanta to confront fading gods and dwindling hope within the icy expanse.
Level B2FantasyStar PeopleUnder a sky sprinkled with stars, a mysterious Princess and her three companions—Prudence, Pat, and the Kitten—explore celestial wonders and the secrets of the Star People, weaving…
Level B2ClassicsStand Pat; Or, Poker Stories from the MississippiIn a quiet Mississippi town, a spirited poker game unfolds among colorful locals, each raising stakes and tensions as the arrival of a riverboat looms.
Level B2AdventureStand By: The Story of a Boy's Achievement in RadioIn a forgotten village clinging to the past, Lee Renaud discovers a mysterious glass wheel—an old device that once sparked dreams of harnessing electricity.
Level B2AdventureStand By The UnionA young lieutenant on the eve of deployment faces mysterious nighttime visitors amid the tense backdrop of the Civil War.
Level B2AdventureStan Lynn: A Boy's Adventures in ChinaA boy recently returned to his family’s vast warehouse in China must quickly learn to wield a sword and pistol when river pirates attempt a daring nighttime break-in, thrusting him…
Level B2ClassicsStage-LandStep into the chaotic world of George, the hapless stage hero whose life is a tangled mess of mistaken crimes, lost estates, and baffling legal woes.
Level B2Children'sSt. Nicholas, Vol. 5, No. 5, March, 1878In a remote Norwegian village, lively twins Olaf and Erik, their little sister Olga, and their loyal dog Krikel embrace the joys of winter and the warmth of family stories by the h…
Level B2PoetrySt. Nicholas, Vol. 5, No. 4, February 1878A young chorister struggles under the exacting tutelage of a stern choir-master whose high expectations spark jealousy and hardship, but also inspire growth, hope, and unexpected b…
Level B2PoetrySt. Nicholas, Vol. 5, No. 2, December, 1877A determined boy battles a fierce tide in his little skiff, striving to prove his manhood and keep control against overwhelming odds, while unexpected encounters on the water hint…
Level B2AdventureSt. Nicholas, Vol. 13, No. 10, August 1886Isolated in a solitary cabin deep within Wyoming's Rocky Mountains, a lone hermit embraces the wild with only his horse and dog for company, sharing the rugged beauty and challenge…
Level B2AdventureSt. George for EnglandIn a stormy night of medieval England, a weary woman seeks refuge in a humble village, setting the stage for a tale of courage and chivalry as England’s martial spirit rises to leg…
Level B2MysterySt. Cuthbert's towerA coveted farm sparks fierce rivalry when a mysterious new tenant arrives in the quiet village of Rishton, unsettling long-standing local expectations and igniting tensions.
Level B2ClassicsSt. Cuthbert'sA struggling minister faces a pivotal opportunity to preach at the revered St.
Level B2ClassicsSt. Andrews Ghost StoriesAn artist exploring eerie coastal legends encounters a mysterious, one-eyed monk who leads him through shadowy caves and ancient traps beneath St Andrews.
Level B2FantasySquib and His FriendsA solitary boy nicknamed "the odd one" finds himself misunderstood by his family and nurse, yet quietly harbors a passionate mind and imagination that set him apart.
Level B2Children'sSquare and Compasses; Or, Building the HouseAt Beech Hill Industrial School, students face resistance and rebellion when asked to don uniforms, sparking debates about discipline, identity, and the value of practical educatio…
Level B2PoetrySpun-yarn and SpindriftExplore a world where angels wait patiently and memories of distant homelands sing through the verses.