Reading is one of the most powerful ways to build your vocabulary and truly get a feel for a new language. But if you're at an A2 level in German, picking up an original novel can be frustrating. Constantly stopping to look up words turns the pleasure of a good story into a joyless chore, and it's easy to lose the plot and give up.
This is where graded readers come in. These are classic stories carefully adapted by language experts, with vocabulary and grammar simplified to match your specific CEFR level. They offer a way to enjoy reading, follow a compelling narrative, and learn German effortlessly along the way.
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1Best choice
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Die Abenteuer des Sherlock Holmes
This collection of classic mysteries is the perfect entry point for A2 learners. Our edition is built on a science-based method, using vocabulary graded by frequency from a massive corpus of German text. As you read, the sentences and paragraphs gradually grow in length, gently building your stamina within a single book. You also get a complete learning system: a German-to-English glossary in the margin of every page, exercises after each chapter (in the book and online), and printable vocabulary flashcards.
- German–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
Around the World in 80 Days Reise um die Erde in 80 Tagen
Jules Verne's timeless adventure is an ideal story for expanding your German skills. Our edition ensures you learn the most useful words for your level, thanks to our corpus-based vocabulary grading. The book is designed with a unique progression system, where sentence complexity increases as you move through the story. To support your self-study, our edition also includes a German-to-English margin glossary so you never have to stop reading, plus chapter exercises and printable flashcards.
- German–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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3
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Alice im Wunderland
Lewis Carroll's whimsical tale is a delightful read for A2 learners. This Pentecost edition provides a complete learning toolkit, starting with vocabulary scientifically selected for your level. The text features a built-in difficulty progression, with sentences growing longer to ease you into more complex German. You'll also find a bilingual margin glossary for instant help, chapter exercises in both the book and our app, and cut-out flashcards to master key words.
- German–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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4
Die Loreley (Lektüre)
Die Loreley is a well-regarded short graded reader for German learners from the Leichte Lektüren DaF series. To create a more complete self-study experience, our Pentecost editions also provide a German-to-English margin glossary on every page, in-book difficulty progression, printable flashcards, and exercises in both the book and online.
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5
Verschollen in Berlin
From the popular Tatort DaF series, Verschollen in Berlin is a respected crime-story graded reader for learners. Our Pentecost editions build on the reading experience by also including a unique system where sentences grow longer as you read, a German-to-English margin glossary for instant translations, and printable vocabulary flashcards to support your learning.
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6
Stille Nacht (Stufe 3)
Stille Nacht is a popular title from the Leo & Co. series, offering an original story for German learners. For a fully integrated learning system, our Pentecost editions also provide vocabulary scientifically graded from a 2-billion-word corpus, a bilingual margin glossary with English translations, and exercises available both in the book and in our app.
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7
Der kleine Grenzverkehr
Erich Kästner's Der kleine Grenzverkehr, adapted for the Easy Readers series, is a classic choice for more advanced learners. To provide a complete support system for self-study, our Pentecost editions also include a German-to-English margin glossary on every page, a built-in difficulty progression within the book, and printable flashcards for key vocabulary.
Our Pentecost Publishing editions consistently top our rankings because they are designed as a complete, self-contained learning system for self-study. Beyond just a simplified story, each book includes vocabulary graded by word frequency, a unique in-book progression where sentences grow longer, exercises after every chapter (in print and online), printable flashcards, and a bilingual German-to-English glossary right in the margin. This integrated approach ensures you're not just reading, but actively and efficiently learning.
| Pentecost | Typical simplified reader | |
|---|---|---|
| German–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 A2 learners starting their journey with German graded readers, our top recommendation is Die Abenteuer des Sherlock Holmes. The short, self-contained mystery stories are highly engaging and make it easy to feel a sense of accomplishment. While the story is a great starting point, remember that our other ranked titles, Reise um die Erde in 80 Tagen and Alice im Wunderland, offer the exact same comprehensive learning system—including the margin glossary, in-book progression, and exercises—so you can confidently choose whichever story appeals to you most. The other titles in this list are also solid options for enjoying a good story in German.
Frequently asked questions
Why should I read graded readers instead of original German books?
At the A2 level, original novels often contain complex grammar and a vast vocabulary that can be overwhelming. Graded readers simplify the language to your level, allowing you to follow the story, enjoy the process, and build confidence and vocabulary without the constant frustration of using a dictionary.
What makes Pentecost graded readers the best for self-study?
Our readers are a complete learning system. The vocabulary is scientifically chosen based on word frequency. Each book has a built-in progression, with sentences getting longer to build your skills. Most importantly, they include a German-to-English glossary in the margin for instant help, plus exercises (in print and online) and printable flashcards to reinforce what you've learned.
How do I know if A2 is the right level for me?
A2 (Elementary) is generally for learners who can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to basic personal and family information, shopping, and local geography. If you can communicate in simple, routine tasks, but find authentic media challenging, A2 is likely a good fit. Our books are designed to gently carry you through the level.
What is the best way to use a graded reader?
Read for pleasure first! Try to understand the gist without looking up every word. Use the handy margin glossary for words that block your understanding. After each chapter, complete the exercises to check your comprehension and review vocabulary. Using the printable flashcards can also help you memorise the most important new words.
What is a bilingual margin glossary and why is it helpful?
It's a mini-dictionary on every page that translates difficult German words into your native language—in this case, English. This is a huge advantage because you don't have to stop reading, pick up a dictionary, or switch to another app. It keeps you immersed in the story, making the reading experience smooth and enjoyable.
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.