B1 books for language learners
B1 is an estimate for the original text, not a simplified retelling. A Christmas Carol, The Jungle Book, Treasure Island sit in that range: real sentences, not a graded summary.
A Christmas Carol
Scrooge’s story starts from the plain fact that Marley was dead.
Charles Dickens · 1843
The Jungle Book
Father Wolf wakes in the Seeonee hills on the night Mowgli arrives.
Rudyard Kipling · 1894
Treasure Island
Jim Hawkins starts the story at the Admiral Benbow inn.
Robert Louis Stevenson · 1883
The Call of the Wild
Buck’s comfortable California life ends when he is stolen north.
Jack London · 1903
FAQ
What does B1 mean for these books?
B1 is an estimate for the original text, not a simplified retelling. A Christmas Carol, The Jungle Book, Treasure Island sit in that range: real sentences, not a graded summary.
Can I read the whole book?
This page shows the opening. A free LingoRead account opens the public-domain text and keeps the translation beside it.
Which book should I start with?
Start with A Christmas Carol. If it feels easy, move up a level. If not, stay with the words that repeat.