Penguin Readers
160 books in this series
Penguin Readers Level 6: Great Expectations (ELT Graded Reader)
With carefully adapted text, new illustrations, language practise activities and additional online resources, the Penguin Readers series introduces language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction.
Great Expectations, a Level 6 Reader, is B1+ in the CEFR framework. The longer text is made up of sentences with up to four clauses, introducing future continuous, reported questions, third conditional, was going to and ellipsis. A small number of illustrations support the text.
When the orphan Pip is taken to the house of Miss Havisham, he meets and falls in love with Estella. Estella is beautiful but cold and Pip decides that he will become rich so that he can marry her. Later he learns that somebody has given him a lot of money, but Pip does not know who this person is.
Great Expectations, a Level 6 Reader, is B1+ in the CEFR framework. The longer text is made up of sentences with up to four clauses, introducing future continuous, reported questions, third conditional, was going to and ellipsis. A small number of illustrations support the text.
When the orphan Pip is taken to the house of Miss Havisham, he meets and falls in love with Estella. Estella is beautiful but cold and Pip decides that he will become rich so that he can marry her. Later he learns that somebody has given him a lot of money, but Pip does not know who this person is.
Penguin Readers Level 6: White Fang (ELT Graded Reader)
With carefully adapted text, new illustrations, language practise activities and additional online resources, the Penguin Readers series introduces language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction.
White Fang, a Level 6 Reader, is B1+ in the CEFR framework. The longer text is made up of sentences with up to four clauses, introducing future continuous, reported questions, third conditional, was going to and ellipsis. A small number of illustrations support the text.
The world is a wonderful place to a brave wolf cub, as his mother teaches him all about nature. But then he meets humans. They call him White Fang, and take him away from the wild. Can he learn their ways to survive, and at what cost to himself?
White Fang, a Level 6 Reader, is B1+ in the CEFR framework. The longer text is made up of sentences with up to four clauses, introducing future continuous, reported questions, third conditional, was going to and ellipsis. A small number of illustrations support the text.
The world is a wonderful place to a brave wolf cub, as his mother teaches him all about nature. But then he meets humans. They call him White Fang, and take him away from the wild. Can he learn their ways to survive, and at what cost to himself?
Penguin Readers Level 7: Moby Dick (ELT Graded Reader)
With carefully adapted text, new illustrations, language practise activities and additional online resources, the Penguin Readers series introduces language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction.
Moby Dick, a Level 7 Reader, is B2 in the CEFR framework. The longer text is made up of sentences with up to four clauses, introducing future perfect simple, mixed conditionals, past perfect continuous, mixed conditionals, more complex passive forms and modals for deduction in the past.
When the young sailor "Ishmael" decides to sail on the Pequod with the mysterious Captain Ahab, he has no idea about Ahab's plans to get revenge on the great white whale Moby Dick. Ahab wants to find and kill the whale at any cost - even if it means losing his ship and his crew.
Moby Dick, a Level 7 Reader, is B2 in the CEFR framework. The longer text is made up of sentences with up to four clauses, introducing future perfect simple, mixed conditionals, past perfect continuous, mixed conditionals, more complex passive forms and modals for deduction in the past.
When the young sailor "Ishmael" decides to sail on the Pequod with the mysterious Captain Ahab, he has no idea about Ahab's plans to get revenge on the great white whale Moby Dick. Ahab wants to find and kill the whale at any cost - even if it means losing his ship and his crew.
Penguin Readers Level 7: The Woman in White (ELT Graded Reader)
Penguin Readers introduces language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. The Woman in White, a Level 7 Reader, is B2 in the CEFR framework. One night when Walter Hartwright is walking home, he meets and helps the mysterious 'woman in white'. Soon after this meeting, Walter starts a job as a drawing teacher in the north of England and falls in love with his student, Laura Fairlie. But Laura is engaged to Sir Percival Glyde. Then Laura receives a letter warning her not to marry Glyde. Walter is sure that the letter comes from the woman in white...
Penguin Readers Level 7: White Teeth (ELT Graded Reader)
With carefully adapted text, new illustrations, language practise activities and additional online resources, the Penguin Readers series introduces language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction.
White Teeth, a Level 7 Reader, is B2 in the CEFR framework. The longer text is made up of sentences with up to four clauses, introducing future perfect simple, mixed conditionals, past perfect continuous, mixed conditionals, more complex passive forms and modals for deduction in the past.
White Teeth is the story of three very different families who live close together in London in the 1980s and 1990s. The Bowdens are part-Jamaican; the Iqbals are from Bangladesh; and the Chalfens white. The story looks at how people's pasts affect their lives now, and the lives and futures of their children.
White Teeth, a Level 7 Reader, is B2 in the CEFR framework. The longer text is made up of sentences with up to four clauses, introducing future perfect simple, mixed conditionals, past perfect continuous, mixed conditionals, more complex passive forms and modals for deduction in the past.
White Teeth is the story of three very different families who live close together in London in the 1980s and 1990s. The Bowdens are part-Jamaican; the Iqbals are from Bangladesh; and the Chalfens white. The story looks at how people's pasts affect their lives now, and the lives and futures of their children.
Penguin Readers Starter Level: Loki and the Giants (ELT Graded Reader)
With carefully adapted text, new illustrations, language practise activities and additional online resources, the Penguin Readers series introduces language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction.
Loki and the Giants, a Starter level Reader, is A1 in the CEFR framework. Starter level is ideal for readers who are learning English for the first time. Short sentences contain a maximum of two clauses, using the present simple and continuous tenses, possessives, regular and irregular verbs, and simple adjectives. Illustrations support the text throughout, and many titles at this level are graphic novels.
Come into the world of the vikings. The gods and giants are enemies. Loki's mother is a goddess but his father is a giant. Is he the gods' friend or is he their enemy? They don't know...
Loki and the Giants, a Starter level Reader, is A1 in the CEFR framework. Starter level is ideal for readers who are learning English for the first time. Short sentences contain a maximum of two clauses, using the present simple and continuous tenses, possessives, regular and irregular verbs, and simple adjectives. Illustrations support the text throughout, and many titles at this level are graphic novels.
Come into the world of the vikings. The gods and giants are enemies. Loki's mother is a goddess but his father is a giant. Is he the gods' friend or is he their enemy? They don't know...
Penguin Readers Starter Level: Robin Hood (ELT Graded Reader)
With carefully adapted text, new illustrations, language practise activities and additional online resources, the Penguin Readers series introduces language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction.
Robin Hood, a Starter level Reader, is A1 in the CEFR framework. Starter level is ideal for readers who are learning English for the first time. Short sentences contain a maximum of two clauses, using the present simple and continuous tenses, possessives, regular and irregular verbs, and simple adjectives. Illustrations support the text throughout, and many titles at this level are graphic novels.
Robin Hood lives in the forest with his Merry Men. He takes from rich people and gives to poor people. The Sheriff doesn't like Robin Hood but can he catch him?
Robin Hood, a Starter level Reader, is A1 in the CEFR framework. Starter level is ideal for readers who are learning English for the first time. Short sentences contain a maximum of two clauses, using the present simple and continuous tenses, possessives, regular and irregular verbs, and simple adjectives. Illustrations support the text throughout, and many titles at this level are graphic novels.
Robin Hood lives in the forest with his Merry Men. He takes from rich people and gives to poor people. The Sheriff doesn't like Robin Hood but can he catch him?
Penguin Readers Starter Level: The Scissor Man Caves (ELT Graded Reader)
With carefully adapted text, new illustrations, language practise activities and additional online resources, the Penguin Readers series introduces language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction.
The Scissor Man Caves, a Starter level Reader, is A1 in the CEFR framework. Starter level is ideal for readers who are learning English for the first time. Short sentences contain a maximum of two clauses, using the present simple and continuous tenses, possessives, regular and irregular verbs, and simple adjectives. Illustrations support the text throughout, and many titles at this level are graphic novels.
Zara and Joe go with their class to the Gerlock Caves. "There's a story about the Gerlock Caves," Zara tells her teacher. "There's a man. He walks in those caves at night and throws scissors at people."
The Scissor Man Caves, a Starter level Reader, is A1 in the CEFR framework. Starter level is ideal for readers who are learning English for the first time. Short sentences contain a maximum of two clauses, using the present simple and continuous tenses, possessives, regular and irregular verbs, and simple adjectives. Illustrations support the text throughout, and many titles at this level are graphic novels.
Zara and Joe go with their class to the Gerlock Caves. "There's a story about the Gerlock Caves," Zara tells her teacher. "There's a man. He walks in those caves at night and throws scissors at people."
Penguin Readers Level 2: Life in Space (ELT Graded Reader)
With carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language practise activities, the Penguin Readers series introduces language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction. The eBook edition does NOT include access to the audio edition and digital book.
Life in Space, a Level 2 Reader, is A1+ in the CEFR framework. Sentences contain a maximum of two clauses, introducing the future tenses will and going to, present continuous for future meaning, and comparatives and superlatives. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear on most pages.
Is there life in space? Will people be able to travel to extrasolar planets in the future? Learn about astronauts, space stations and space travel in Life in Space.
Life in Space, a Level 2 Reader, is A1+ in the CEFR framework. Sentences contain a maximum of two clauses, introducing the future tenses will and going to, present continuous for future meaning, and comparatives and superlatives. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear on most pages.
Is there life in space? Will people be able to travel to extrasolar planets in the future? Learn about astronauts, space stations and space travel in Life in Space.
Penguin Readers Level 1: Dynasties: Lions (ELT Graded Reader)
With carefully adapted text, new illustrations, language practise activities and additional online resources, the Penguin Readers series introduces language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction.
BBC Dynasties: Lions, a Level 1 Reader, is A1 in the CEFR framework. Short sentences contain a maximum of two clauses, introducing the past simple tense and some simple modals, adverbs and gerunds. Illustrations support the text throughout, and many titles at this level are graphic novels.
Sometimes families are happy, and sometimes they fight. Sometimes life is good, and sometimes it is not easy. It is the same for the Marsh Lions in Kenya's Masai Mara, and for all animal families.
BBC Dynasties: Lions, a Level 1 Reader, is A1 in the CEFR framework. Short sentences contain a maximum of two clauses, introducing the past simple tense and some simple modals, adverbs and gerunds. Illustrations support the text throughout, and many titles at this level are graphic novels.
Sometimes families are happy, and sometimes they fight. Sometimes life is good, and sometimes it is not easy. It is the same for the Marsh Lions in Kenya's Masai Mara, and for all animal families.
Penguin Readers Level 1: Little Women (ELT Graded Reader)
With carefully adapted text, new illustrations, language practise activities and additional online resources, the Penguin Readers series introduces language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction.
Little Women, a Level 1 Reader, is A1 in the CEFR framework. Short sentences contain a maximum of two clauses, introducing the past simple tense and some simple modals, adverbs and gerunds. Illustrations support the text throughout, and many titles at this level are graphic novels.
Little Women is the story of a poor American family in the American Civil War. The four sisters, Beth, Jo, Meg and Amy are very different. But together they work hard and help their mother and father. Sometimes their lives are very happy, and sometimes they are very sad. But the family's love always helps them.
Little Women, a Level 1 Reader, is A1 in the CEFR framework. Short sentences contain a maximum of two clauses, introducing the past simple tense and some simple modals, adverbs and gerunds. Illustrations support the text throughout, and many titles at this level are graphic novels.
Little Women is the story of a poor American family in the American Civil War. The four sisters, Beth, Jo, Meg and Amy are very different. But together they work hard and help their mother and father. Sometimes their lives are very happy, and sometimes they are very sad. But the family's love always helps them.
Penguin Readers Level 2: The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (ELT Graded Reader)
With carefully adapted text, new illustrations, language practise activities and additional online resources, the Penguin Readers series introduces language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, a Level 2 Reader, is A1+ in the CEFR framework. Sentences contain a maximum of two clauses, introducing the future tenses will and going to, present continuous for future meaning, and comparatives and superlatives. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear on most pages.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) is the story of a boy in Missouri in the 1840s. Tom Sawyer's parents are dead and he lives with his aunt in a small village next to the long Mississippi river. One night, Tom and his friend, Huckleberry Finn see Injun Joe kill Dr Robinson. "We can't say anything about it. Or we will die," says Tom. But then the wrong man goes to prison...
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, a Level 2 Reader, is A1+ in the CEFR framework. Sentences contain a maximum of two clauses, introducing the future tenses will and going to, present continuous for future meaning, and comparatives and superlatives. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear on most pages.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) is the story of a boy in Missouri in the 1840s. Tom Sawyer's parents are dead and he lives with his aunt in a small village next to the long Mississippi river. One night, Tom and his friend, Huckleberry Finn see Injun Joe kill Dr Robinson. "We can't say anything about it. Or we will die," says Tom. But then the wrong man goes to prison...
Penguin Readers Level 2: The Extraordinary Life of Malala Yousafzai (ELT Graded Reader)
With carefully adapted text, new illustrations, language practise activities and additional online resources, the Penguin Readers series introduces language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction.
The Extraordinary Life of Malala Yousafzai, a Level 2 Reader, is A1+ in the CEFR framework. Sentences contain a maximum of two clauses, introducing the future tenses will and going to, present continuous for future meaning, and comparatives and superlatives. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear on most pages.
Malala Yousafzai lived in Pakistan where she was one of the best students in her class. But then a group of Islamist extremists called the Taliban came and a war began. Then, one day, two men from the Taliban shot Malala on the bus home from school.
The Extraordinary Life of Malala Yousafzai, a Level 2 Reader, is A1+ in the CEFR framework. Sentences contain a maximum of two clauses, introducing the future tenses will and going to, present continuous for future meaning, and comparatives and superlatives. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear on most pages.
Malala Yousafzai lived in Pakistan where she was one of the best students in her class. But then a group of Islamist extremists called the Taliban came and a war began. Then, one day, two men from the Taliban shot Malala on the bus home from school.
Penguin Readers Level 3: Animal Farm (ELT Graded Reader)
Animal Farm tells the story of a rebellion and how it goes wrong. The animals' lives on the farm are terrible - there is not enough food, the work is hard, and animals are dying. One day, the animals kick out the farmer and start to run the farm. Soon, a group of animals - the pigs - becomes more and more important, but things are not better for most of the animals. Life for them is the same as before.
Our Penguin Readers books include:
Our Penguin Readers books include:
- Simple text (CEFR-levelled)
- Pictures to help you understand the story
- Fun exercises to help you learn and practise English
- Read the book online
- Listen to the book being read out loud
- Get lesson plans for teachers
- Find answers to check your understanding
Penguin Readers Level 3: The Extraordinary Life of Michelle Obama (ELT Graded Reader)
With carefully adapted text, new illustrations, language practise activities and additional online resources, the Penguin Readers series introduces language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction.
The Extraordinary Life of Michelle Obama, a Level 2 Reader, is A1+ in the CEFR framework. Sentences contain a maximum of two clauses, introducing the future tenses will and going to, present continuous for future meaning, and comparatives and superlatives. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear on most pages.
Michelle Obama was First Lady of the United States. She is also a wife, a mother and a lawyer. But that is not all. She has started many campaigns to help young people and make the world a better place. Michelle Obama has had an extraordinary life.
The Extraordinary Life of Michelle Obama, a Level 2 Reader, is A1+ in the CEFR framework. Sentences contain a maximum of two clauses, introducing the future tenses will and going to, present continuous for future meaning, and comparatives and superlatives. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear on most pages.
Michelle Obama was First Lady of the United States. She is also a wife, a mother and a lawyer. But that is not all. She has started many campaigns to help young people and make the world a better place. Michelle Obama has had an extraordinary life.
Penguin Readers Level 3: The Extraordinary Life of Stephen Hawking (ELT Graded Reader)
With carefully adapted text, new illustrations, language practise activities and additional online resources, the Penguin Readers series introduces language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction.
The Extraordinary Life of Stephen Hawking, a Level 3 Reader, is A2 in the CEFR framework. The text is made up of sentences with up to three clauses, introducing first conditional, past continuous and present perfect simple for general experience. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear on most pages.
Stephen Hawking was a very famous scientist whose ideas changed the world. He studied space and time and taught people about the universe. Stephen was often very ill and his life was not easy, but it was extraordinary.
The Extraordinary Life of Stephen Hawking, a Level 3 Reader, is A2 in the CEFR framework. The text is made up of sentences with up to three clauses, introducing first conditional, past continuous and present perfect simple for general experience. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear on most pages.
Stephen Hawking was a very famous scientist whose ideas changed the world. He studied space and time and taught people about the universe. Stephen was often very ill and his life was not easy, but it was extraordinary.