The Library
Read Classic Literature in English
Learn English by reading the books worth reading. Every book is the complete text, labelled A2 to C2 — tap any word for an instant translation, hear natural audio narration, and save the vocabulary you meet as you go. Pick your level and start with a free sample.
Level B2Children'sIda's new shoesA lively little girl named Ida struggles with her temper while showing off her new shoes, all under the watchful eyes of her ailing mother and caring family.
Level B2AdventureHurrah for New England!: Or, The Virginia Boy's VacationA reluctant Virginian sets sail on a rugged New England fishing schooner to cure his health, accompanied by his adventurous cousin who discovers the charm and independence of coast…
Level B2AdventureHunting the Skipper: The Cruise of the "Seafowl" SloopTwo young midshipmen aboard H.
Level B2Children'sHunter's MarjoryA lonely girl burdened by secrets and denial finds an unexpected friendship in new neighbors who offer kindness and understanding.
Level B2Children'sHow the Fairy Violet Lost and Won Her WingsA fairy loses her wings and embarks on a perilous journey to the fiery kingdom to reclaim them, only to discover that new wings may bring unintended harm to the world she loves.
Level B2AdventureHow Sammy Went to Coral-LandDive into the enchanting underwater world with Sammy, a proud young salmon, as he embarks on a wondrous adventure through coral reefs, meeting fascinating sea creatures and discove…
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 B2Children'sHow John Became a Man: Life Story of a Motherless BoyA young boy named John faces the loss of his mother on the prairie and must grow quickly, learning to pray and take on new responsibilities as he navigates loneliness, friendship,…
Level B2Children'sHow Janice Day WonIn the lakeside town of Polktown, young Janice Day faces the challenges brought by new liquor licenses, growing troubles, and the impact on her community.
Level B2Children'sHousehold Tales by Brothers GrimmWhen a princess loses her beloved golden ball in a deep well, a mysterious frog offers to retrieve it—on the condition that she welcomes him as her companion.
Level B2Children'sHousehold Stories by the Brothers GrimmEnter a world where rabbits host wedding feasts under rainbows and daring adventurers with extraordinary talents band together to challenge fate, braving enchanted forests and roya…
Level B2Children'sHorse TalesOn John Dobbin’s bustling farm, the old mare Sally tries to keep order among a mischievous donkey, curious animals, and unexpected visitors while her master is away.
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 B2Children'sHope Benham: A Story for GirlsA spirited young girl from the working-class town of Riverview sells delicate arbutus flowers at the elegant Brookside station, navigating the contrast between two worlds as she pu…
Level B2Children'sHonoring ParentsA young boy shows kindness and forgiveness at school, honoring his mother’s teachings even when she’s not present.
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 B2Children'sHonor Bright: A Story for GirlsTwelve-year-old Honor Bright faces life as an orphan in a Swiss boarding school, carrying distant memories of exotic lands and loving parents lost to a sudden tragedy.
Level B2AdventureHoney-SweetAs the steamship Caronia prepares to sail, young Anne navigates the bustling chaos of the dock, her keen eyes catching glimpses of strangers, secrets, and a worried uncle whose mys…
Level B2Children'sHollyhock: A Spirit of MischiefIn the serene Upper Glen, two families—one naming their daughters after flowers, the other their sons after precious stones—live peaceful lives until a mysterious letter arrives on…
Level B2Children'sHollowmellA spirited schoolgirl named Minnie battles her careless habits and social challenges as she navigates friendships and responsibilities at her lively school.
Level B2AdventureHollowdell Grange: Holiday Hours in a Country HomeOn a scorching midsummer day, young Fred Morris journeys to Hollowdell station, where cousins Harry and Philip eagerly await his arrival.
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 B2Children'sHoliday storiesIn a grand estate shadowed by an irritable matriarch, a devoted maid endures sharp tempers and long years of service, revealing the complex ties of loyalty and hardship beneath the…
Level B2Children'sHoliday TalesSeven spirited brothers imagine grand adventures and dream of transforming their rough "desert" into a beautiful garden to brighten their ailing mother's days, blending childhood m…
Level B2Children'sHoliday Stories for Young PeopleA young girl named Milly Van Doren is entrusted to keep house and care for her grandmother while her parents travel, leading her to eagerly organize a social club and face the real…
Level B2Children'sHold fastA blind grandfather shares a heartfelt story with his granddaughter about faith, sin, and salvation, revealing how even the most faithful must rely on mercy to find hope.
Level B2Children'sHold 'em, Wyndham!At Wyndham School, football coach G.
Level B2Children'sHistory of my petsA young girl finds unexpected joy and companionship in a beautiful white kitten named Keturah, whose playful antics and loyal presence brighten her days and even accompany her to a…
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 B2Children'sHis big opportunityTwo boys perched atop a sunlit garden wall seize a chance encounter with a mysterious stranger to turn small moments into meaningful adventures, discovering that true opportunity o…
Level B2Children'sHis Little Royal HighnessAfter a fall leaves young Reginald injured, his siblings crown him king in a playful game of bodyguards and crowns, transforming his recovery into a royal adventure filled with ima…
Level B2AdventureHiram the Young FarmerA young farmer, disillusioned by city life and menial jobs, longs to leave the cramped town behind and return to the open fields and fresh air of the countryside where he was born…
Level B2Children'sHiram in the Middle WestA determined young farmer arrives at the lonely Pringleton station, facing rain and mysterious locals as he journeys toward the burned Sunnyside Farm.
Level B2Children'sHills of the ShatemucAmid early spring’s gentle hills and fertile fields, a hardworking family rises with the dawn to tend their farm, balancing youthful energy and steadfast tradition in a landscape w…
Level B2Children'sHildegarde's NeighborsWhen the Merryweather family moves into the big yellow house next door, young Hildegarde Grahame eagerly spies on their lively arrival, sparking curiosity and the promise of new fr…
Level B2Children'sHildegarde's HomeAfter losing their fortune, Hildegarde and her mother leave the bustling city for a mysterious inherited country house filled with faded treasures and charming old-world charm, whe…
Level B2Children'sHildegarde's Holiday: A Story for GirlsAnxious yet hopeful, Hildegarde awaits news of her dear friend Rose's recovery after a long illness and operation.
Level B2Children'sHildegarde's HarvestA spirited girl named Hildegarde navigates village life with charm and kindness, bridging friendships and brightening the days of neighbors old and young.
Level B2Children'sHilda's Mascot: A Tale of "Maryland, My Maryland"Two children, Jerusha and Horace, face the harsh reality of an orphan asylum after leaving their ailing mother’s care, where Jerusha’s pride in her fine clothes clashes with the st…
Level B2AdventureHiking Westward: Being the Story of Two Boys Whose Ambition Led Them to Face Privations and Hardships in Their Quest of a Home in the Great WestTwo determined brothers leave their city life behind to claim a homestead in the untamed West, facing hardship and hardship with grit and hope to secure a future for their ailing m…
Level B2AdventureHike and the aeroplaneTwo adventurous boys navigate treacherous canyons and unexpected dangers on horseback along the California coast, testing their courage and friendship as they face thrilling challe…
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 B2Children'sHidden seedA determined fifteen-year-old girl resolves to become a missionary and wrestles with her mother’s expectations of music lessons and household duties.
Level B2Children'sHetty's garden-party, and what came of itWhen cousins Lettice and Harry come to visit, young Hetty is determined to host a grand garden-party to impress her friends—despite her family's modest means and the challenges tha…
Level B2Children'sHetty Gray;In a charming English village, curious four-year-old Hetty Gray explores the world with wide-eyed wonder, from the fiery forge to fluttering butterflies, as she navigates childhood…
Level B2Children'sHester's Counterpart: A Story of Boarding School LifeAt the brink of boarding school life, Hester faces a reluctant farewell to home and the woman who raised her with love and firm resolve.
Level B2AdventureHervey WillettsA fearless but rebellious scout, Hervey Willetts blazes his own trail at Temple Camp, charming everyone despite constant trouble and expulsion.
Why it works
Why read classics to learn English
Graded by real CEFR level
Every book is labelled B1, B2 or C1 so you can pick something that stretches you without overwhelming you.
Tap any word to translate
Touch a word or phrase to see it in your language instantly — no dictionary, no leaving the page.
Audio narration & pronunciation
Listen to clear, natural narration and read along to train your ear as well as your eye.
Vocabulary from your own reading
Save the words you meet; they become flashcards built from the books you actually read.
Questions
Learning English by reading
Reading exposes you to real grammar, vocabulary and phrasing in context — far more memorably than word lists. With instant translation and audio on every page, you stay in the story instead of stalling on unknown words, which is what builds fluency.
Choose a book one notch above where you feel comfortable: B1 if you read everyday English, B2 if you can follow longer articles, C1 for literary prose. You can always tap words you don’t know — a little stretch is exactly how you level up.
Sample chapters are free to read with no account. To read a full book — with tap-to-translate, audio narration and saved progress — you start your trial at quiz.nikmas.studio.
Not for sample chapters — they open with no signup. To read a whole book you start your trial at quiz.nikmas.studio, which keeps your vocabulary and place across devices.