Penguin Readers & Pearson English Readers (600 headwords)

Paris, 1792, people are dying. Aristocrats are running from angry revolutionaries, and a brave Englishman is helping them. He and his friends are taking them to England. But who is this Englishman, this 'Scarlet Pimpernel'? The revolutionaries really want to know and then they can kill him.

British English

"The Prince and the Pauper" is the story of how when young Prince Edward Tudor of Wales and Pauper Tom Canty switch clothes that they are mistaken for each other and end up switching places. Prince Edward learns of the struggles of the commoners of England while Tom discovers what it is like to be a Prince and then a King. "The Prince and the Pauper" is both a delightfully comedic tale and a biting social commentary on the inequities among different social classes.

Boston in the 1600s is a small town, but a large crowd waits for Hester Prynne outside the prison. She carries a baby in her arms and the scarlet letter “A” is on her dress. “A” is for adulteress. Who is the father of her baby? Nobody knows and Hester will not say.

Only the next king can pull the sword out of the stone. Many people try, but they cannot move the sword. Then young Arthur tries, but it comes out easily. Now he will be king. But will he be a good king? And will his life be happy? Classic British English

When Babe wins the National Sheep-dog Trials, he thinks he can do anything! He tries to help Farmer Hoggett fix the old well but instead he causes a terrible accident! Without Farmer Hoggett in charge, the farm is in deep trouble. Babe and Mrs Hoggett must go to the city to try to save the farm ...

Moby Dick is the most dangerous whale in the oceans. Captain Ahab fought him and lost a leg. Now he hates Moby Dick. He wants to kill him. But can Captain Ahab and his men find the great white whale? A young sailor, Ishmael, tells the story of their exciting and dangerous trip.

One hot summer day, Alice sees a white rabbit and runs after it. She follows it down a rabbit-hole – and arrives in ‘Wonderland’. Here, caterpillars can talk and rabbits have watches. And the Queen wants to cut off everybody’s head!

Classic / British English