Reading is one of the most powerful ways to build your vocabulary and fluency in a new language. But if you're at an intermediate B1 level, picking up an original Danish novel can be deeply discouraging. When you have to stop every few words to consult a dictionary, the pleasure of following a story quickly turns into a joyless slog, and it's easy to give up.
This is where graded readers come in. These books are literary classics or modern stories that have been carefully adapted for language learners. With vocabulary and grammar precisely tuned to your level, they allow you to enjoy a great story, build confidence, and learn Danish naturally, page by page.
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1Best choice
Around the World in Eighty Days Jorden rundt i 80 dage
Our B1 edition of Jules Verne's classic adventure is the ideal companion for the intermediate self-learner. The vocabulary is scientifically graded based on a two-billion-word corpus, ensuring you learn the most useful words first. Unique to our editions, each book features a gentle difficulty progression, with sentences and paragraphs growing longer as you read, smoothly taking you through the B1 level. Plus, with a bilingual Danish-to-English glossary in the margin of every page, you'll never have to stop reading to look up a word, making for a seamless and enjoyable experience.
- Danish–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
Charleston-pigen Anne
From Forlaget Bostrup's Letlæsningsserie, 'Charleston-pigen Anne' is a respected easy-reading Danish novel suitable for intermediate learners. To support your learning journey, our Pentecost editions also provide a complete system including a bilingual margin glossary for instant lookups, exercises for every chapter, and printable vocabulary flashcards.
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3
Farvel og tak
'Farvel og tak' is another well-regarded story for intermediate learners from Forlaget Bostrup's Letlæsningsserie. For a fully supported reading experience, our Pentecost editions also give you a unique in-book difficulty progression, chapter exercises online and in print, and a Danish-to-English glossary right on the page.
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4
Sølvmønten
An adaptation of a classic H.C. Andersen tale, 'Sølvmønten' from Forlaget Bostrup is a popular choice for adult learners of Danish. Our Pentecost editions build on the reading experience by also providing a complete learning system, including printable flashcards for key vocabulary, chapter-by-chapter exercises, and a bilingual margin dictionary for effortless reading.
While there are several good options for B1 learners, our Pentecost Publishing 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 our science-based vocabulary grading, a unique in-book difficulty progression, chapter-by-chapter exercises in both the book and our app, printable vocabulary flashcards, and—most importantly—a bilingual glossary in the margin of every page, giving you instant translations into your own language without interrupting your reading flow.
| Pentecost | Typical simplified reader | |
|---|---|---|
| Danish–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 looking to make real progress, our B1 edition of Jorden rundt i 80 dage is an excellent choice. The thrilling story of Phileas Fogg's race against time is universally appealing and provides the perfect narrative to keep you engaged. Its effectiveness comes from the complete Pentecost learning system that supports you at every step, from the science-based vocabulary to the unique margin glossary that makes reading in Danish so much smoother. While the other titles listed are also solid choices for this level, the comprehensive support system built into our edition makes it a standout for independent study.
Frequently asked questions
Why should I use a graded reader instead of an original Danish book?
Graded readers are adapted to a specific CEFR level, using controlled vocabulary and simpler sentence structures. This allows you to read smoothly and enjoy the story without the constant frustration of looking up unknown words, which helps build reading confidence and speed.
What makes Pentecost graded readers ideal for self-study?
Our books are a complete learning system. The vocabulary is scientifically selected for your level, and each book has a built-in difficulty progression. Most importantly, the bilingual margin glossary translates difficult words into English right on the page, so you never lose your reading rhythm. This, combined with chapter exercises and printable flashcards, gives you all the tools you need in one place.
How do I know if a B1 book is right for me?
If you've been studying Danish and are considered 'intermediate', B1 is likely your level. A good test is the 'five-finger rule': open a random page and if you don't know more than five words, it's probably a good fit. If it's too easy or too hard, try a level down (A2) or up (B2).
Should I look up every word I don't know?
Not necessarily. First, try to guess the meaning from the context. This is a valuable skill. However, if a word is blocking your understanding, a quick glance is best. Our margin glossary is perfect for this, as it lets you check the meaning in English instantly without breaking your concentration or leaving the page.
How can I get the most out of reading my graded reader?
Read a little every day to build a habit. Use the margin glossary when you're truly stuck. After each chapter, complete the exercises to reinforce what you've learned. You can also use the printable flashcards to review key vocabulary and make it stick.
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.