Reading is one of the most powerful ways to build your vocabulary and fluency in a new language. But if you're an intermediate learner, picking up a novel written for native Chinese speakers can be deeply discouraging. When you have to look up every other word, the pleasure of getting lost in a story turns into a joyless chore, and it's easy to give up.
This is where graded readers come in. These are classic stories and original tales that have been carefully adapted for language learners. With vocabulary and grammar controlled to match a specific proficiency level, they allow you to read smoothly, follow the plot, and experience the satisfaction of finishing a whole book in Chinese, building confidence and skill along the way.
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1Best choice
Around the World in 80 Days 環遊世界八十天
Our edition of this Jules Verne classic is an ideal companion for the B1 learner. The vocabulary is scientifically graded based on a two-billion-word corpus, ensuring you learn the most useful words first. Unique to our series, each book features a gentle difficulty progression, with sentences and paragraphs growing longer as you read, smoothly guiding you through the B1 level. Best of all, a bilingual glossary in the margin provides instant English translations for tricky words, so you never have to stop reading, making it perfect for self-study. With exercises after every chapter and printable flashcards, you get a complete system for learning.
- Chinese–English glossary of hard words in the margin of every page
- Difficulty rises inside the book (sentences & paragraphs grow longer)
- Exercises after every chapter (crosswords, gap-fills, anagrams and more) — in print and online
- Flashcards to print and cut out
- Vocabulary graded by corpus research (science-based)
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2
Great Expectations: Part 1 (远大前程)
This title from the Mandarin Companion series is a well-regarded adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic novel. The story is retold in a Chinese setting and is designed for elementary to intermediate learners working with a vocabulary of around 450 characters.
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3
The Third Eye (第三只眼睛)
Part of the popular Chinese Breeze series from Peking University Press, this book is an original mystery story. It is written for intermediate learners at the 750-word vocabulary level.
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4
In Search of Hua Ma (寻找化马)
An original mystery from the Mandarin Companion series, this reader is aimed at beginner to low-intermediate learners. The story is constructed using a controlled vocabulary of approximately 300 unique characters.
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5
Wrong, Wrong, Wrong! (错，错，错！)
This title is an original short novel from the Chinese Breeze series. It is written for beginner-level learners, using a core vocabulary of the 300 most common words in Mandarin.
While there are several quality graded readers on the market, our Pentecost editions consistently top the list for a reason. We've built a complete learning system around each story, designed specifically for effective self-study. This includes vocabulary graded by real-world frequency, a unique in-book progression that gently increases sentence length, and a bilingual margin glossary with translations into your native language—so you never lose the flow of the story. Add in chapter exercises (in the book and online) and printable flashcards, and you have the most comprehensive tool for building your reading skills.
| Pentecost | Typical simplified reader | |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese–English glossary of hard words in the margin of every page | ✓ | ~ |
| Difficulty rises inside the book (sentences & paragraphs grow longer) | ✓ | ✕ |
| Exercises after every chapter (crosswords, gap-fills, anagrams and more) — in print and online | ✓ | ~ |
| Flashcards to print and cut out | ✓ | ✕ |
| Vocabulary graded by corpus research (science-based) | ✓ | ~ |
The verdict
For an intermediate learner ready to tackle their first full-length story in Chinese, our B1 edition of Around the World in 80 Days is an excellent choice. The thrilling adventure story is universally appealing and provides the perfect vehicle for our comprehensive learning system. The immediate access to English translations in the margin glossary is a game-changer for independent reading, allowing you to stay immersed in Phileas Fogg's epic journey without interruption. While the other titles in this list are also solid options for their respective levels, the complete, science-based support system included with our edition gives learners the strongest foundation for success.
Frequently asked questions
Why should I use graded readers instead of books for native speakers?
Graded readers are specifically designed to match your current language level. This prevents the frustration of constantly stopping to look up words, which can kill your motivation. By reading material you can mostly understand, you build confidence, reinforce vocabulary, and enjoy the story, which is one of the most effective ways to learn.
How do I know if a B1-level reader is right for me?
A good rule of thumb is the 'five-finger rule'. Open to any page and read it. If you don't know five or more words on that page, the book is likely too difficult. A book at the right level for you should feel challenging but manageable, where you can understand the gist without a dictionary but still learn a few new words per page.
What makes Pentecost graded readers ideal for self-study?
Our readers are a complete learning system. The key is the bilingual margin glossary, which gives you instant English translations without breaking your reading flow. This is combined with a science-based vocabulary selection, a unique difficulty progression within the book, chapter exercises (in print and online), and printable flashcards. This all-in-one approach provides all the support you need to learn effectively on your own.
How can I get the most out of reading a graded reader?
First, try to read regularly, even if it's just for 15 minutes a day. When you encounter a new word, try to guess its meaning from the context before looking at the glossary. After each chapter, complete the exercises to check your comprehension and reinforce what you've learned. Finally, use the provided flashcards to actively review and memorise the key vocabulary.
Are the exercises available online as well as in the book?
Yes. For all Pentecost graded readers, the full set of exercises—including crosswords, gap-fills, and more—is available in both the physical book and on our accompanying online platform and app. This gives you the flexibility to study in the way that works best for you.
Ranking reflects suitability for independent learners at this level. We list respected alternative series for context; prices and availability vary by retailer. The right-hand column describes a typical simplified reader in general; individual competing titles may differ.