Penguin Readers

164 books in this series
Book cover of Penguin Readers Level 1: A Festival in Summer (ELT Graded Reader) by Anna Trewin

Penguin Readers Level 1: A Festival in Summer (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.

A Festival in Summer, 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.

Katy and Charlie are very excited. Mum has tickets for the Glastonbury Music Festival and their favourite singer, Adriana Perez, is headlining on Saturday night!

Book cover of Penguin Readers Level 2: A Solstice at Stonehenge (ELT Graded Reader) by Anna Trewin

Penguin Readers Level 2: A Solstice at Stonehenge (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.

A Solstice at Stone Henge, 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.

Isabel is not happy. She does not like her new home in Wiltshire and she misses her friends in Birmingham. Her school grades are also bad. But then her history teacher, Miss Novak, takes Isabel and her class to Stonehenge, and everything changes.
Book cover of Penguin Readers Level 3: Liar's Beach (ELT Graded Reader) by Katie Cotugno

Penguin Readers Level 3: Liar's Beach (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.

Liar's Beach, 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.

Lindon visits his friend Jasper at his parent’s huge beach house in Martha’s Vineyard. Jasper’s family are rich but Linden’s family is working class and he wants to keep this a secret. Liar’s Beach is a story about friends, money, secrets, love, and lies.
Book cover of Penguin Readers Level 3: Sherlock Holmes - The Hound of the Baskervilles (ELT Graded Reader) by Arthur Conan Doyle

Penguin Readers Level 3: Sherlock Holmes - The Hound of the Baskervilles (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.

Sherlock Holmes - The Hound of the Baskervilles, 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.

After Sir Charles Baskerville dies on the moor near his house, his friend Doctor Mortimer visits Sherlock Holmes in London. “Sir Charles’ pipe was on the ground near the gate, and between Sir Charles and the gate, I saw footprints,” Doctor Mortimer tells the famous detective. “They were the footprints of an enormous hound!”

Book cover of Penguin Readers Level 4: What You Are Looking For Is In The Library (ELT Graded Reader) by Michiko Aoyama

Penguin Readers Level 4: What You Are Looking For Is In The Library (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.

What You Are Looking For is in the Library, a Level 4 Reader, is A2+ in the CEFR framework. The text is made up of sentences with up to three clauses, introducing more complex uses of present perfect simple, passives, phrasal verbs and simple relative clauses. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear regularly.

Sayuri Komachi is a librarian who recommends books and gives gifts to people. She helps them find what they are really looking for in life. The books and gifts are special for each person. They show them that life might not always be easy, but it can still be wonderful.
Book cover of Penguin Readers Level 5: Fool Me Once (ELT Graded Reader) by Harlan Coben

Penguin Readers Level 5: Fool Me Once (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.

Fool Me Once, a Level 5 Reader, is B1 in the CEFR framework. The text is made up of sentences with up to four clauses, introducing present perfect continuous, past perfect, reported speech and second conditional. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear regularly.

Maya’s rich husband Joe was murdered in New York. One day, Maya sees something on her nanny camera which makes her question everything that she knows about Joe’s murder. As she searches for answers, Maya gets pulled deeper and deeper into a world of lies and secrets.
Book cover of Penguin Readers Level 2: The Wizard of Oz (ELT Graded Reader) by L. Frank Baum

Penguin Readers Level 2: The Wizard of Oz (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 Wizard of Oz, 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.

Dorothy and her little dog, Toto, are carried by a tornado to the land of Oz. There, they meet the Scarecrow, the Lion and the Tin Man. Dorothy loves her new friends but how will she and Tonto get home? They must find the Wizard of Oz, of course!
Book cover of Penguin Readers Level 3: Tales of Ancient Egypt (ELT Graded Reader) by Roger Lancelyn Green

Penguin Readers Level 3: Tales of Ancient Egypt (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.

Tales of Ancient Egypt, 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.

The time of Ancient Egypt began about 5000 years ago. The Egyptians worshipped many gods and goddesses, and they told stories about them to help them understand the world. These wonderful stories will help you understand more about the lives and ideas of the Ancient Egyptians.
Book cover of Penguin Readers Level 4: Clouds Over California (ELT Graded Reader) by Karyn Parsons

Penguin Readers Level 4: Clouds Over California (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.

Clouds Over California, a Level 4 Reader, is A2+ in the CEFR framework. The text is made up of sentences with up to three clauses, introducing more complex uses of present perfect simple, passives, phrasal verbs and simple relative clauses. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear regularly.

Clouds over California is a story about an eleven-year-old girl called Stevie, and the changes that happen in her life when her older cousin comes to stay. It is also about life in the 1970s and important events that changed things in the United States of America for women and Black people.
Book cover of Penguin Readers Level 4: I Capture the Castle (ELT Graded Reader) by Dodie Smith

Penguin Readers Level 4: I Capture the Castle (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.

I Capture the Castle, a Level 4 Reader, is A2+ in the CEFR framework. The text is made up of sentences with up to three clauses, introducing more complex uses of present perfect simple, passives, phrasal verbs and simple relative clauses. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear regularly.

The poor Mortmain family move to an old castle. Mr Mortmain’s daughter Rose wants a rich husband. Her sister, Cassandra, wants to be a writer like her father. But when the Mortmains meet their two rich neighbours, Simon and Neil Cotton, both Rose and Cassandra have their lives changed forever.
Book cover of Penguin Readers Level 4: It's Not Summer Without You (ELT Graded Reader) by Jenny Han

Penguin Readers Level 4: It's Not Summer Without You (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.

It's Not Summer Without You, a Level 4 Reader, is A2+ in the CEFR framework. The text is made up of sentences with up to three clauses, introducing more complex uses of present perfect simple, passives, phrasal verbs and simple relative clauses. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear regularly.

It’s Not Summer Without You is the second of three famous books about Belly and her feelings for Conrad and his brother, Jeremiah. Conrad is now at college, and he and Belly are dating. But, Susannah is very ill and Conrad loves his mother very much. Is this the right time for him and Belly?
Book cover of Penguin Readers Level 4: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (ELT Graded Reader) by Arthur Conan Doyle

Penguin Readers Level 4: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (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 Sherlock Holmes, a Level 4 Reader, is A2+ in the CEFR framework. The text is made up of sentences with up to three clauses, introducing more complex uses of present perfect simple, passives, phrasal verbs and simple relative clauses. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear regularly.


Sherlock Holmes is an intelligent detective who works with his friend Dr Watson. In The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Watson and Holmes find the answer to three different and exciting mysteries.

Book cover of Penguin Readers Level 5: After You (ELT Graded Reader) by Jojo Moyes

Penguin Readers Level 5: After You (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.

After You, a Level 5 Reader, is B1 in the CEFR framework. The text is made up of sentences with up to four clauses, introducing present perfect continuous, past perfect, reported speech and second conditional. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear regularly.

Lou is now living in London and trying to be happy, but it’s difficult when she misses Will so much. One night, a young girl appears at her door. “My name’s Lily Houghton-Miller,” she says. “I need to talk to you about my father – Will Traynor.”
Book cover of Penguin Readers Level 5: Ashes in the Snow (ELT Graded Reader) by Ruta Sepetys

Penguin Readers Level 5: Ashes in the Snow (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.

Ashes in the Snow, a Level 5 Reader, is B1 in the CEFR framework. The text is made up of sentences with up to four clauses, introducing present perfect continuous, past perfect, reported speech and second conditional. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear regularly.

Ashes in the Snow follows fifteen-year-old Lina Vilkas as she’s taken from her home in Lithuania with her mother and younger brother. Lina uses her love of art to try and find her father and keep herself and her family alive.
Book cover of Penguin Readers Level 5: This Summer's Secrets (ELT Graded Reader) by Emily Barr

Penguin Readers Level 5: This Summer's Secrets (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.

This Summer's Secrets, a Level 5 Reader, is B1 in the CEFR framework. The text is made up of sentences with up to four clauses, introducing present perfect continuous, past perfect, reported speech and second conditional. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear regularly.

It’s a hot summer in Cornwall. When 16-year-old Senara Jenkins and her friends lose their drone in the garden of Cliff House, they discover that it is full of secrets. As Senara meets a world of beautiful rich people, her life changes. But should some secrets stay secret?
Book cover of Penguin Readers Level 5: We'll Always Have Summer (ELT Graded Reader) by Jenny Han

Penguin Readers Level 5: We'll Always Have Summer (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.

We'll Always Have Summer, a Level 5 Reader, is B1 in the CEFR framework. The text is made up of sentences with up to four clauses, introducing present perfect continuous, past perfect, reported speech and second conditional. It is well supported by illustrations, which appear regularly.

We’ll Always Have Summer is the last of three famous books about Belly and her feelings for Conrad and his brother, Jeremiah. Belly is now dating Jeremiah and their relationship is serious. Belly has known Jeremiah since she was a child. But she has known Conrad, too. Which of the brothers does she really love?