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 elementary level, picking up an original Italian novel can be deeply frustrating. Constantly stopping to look up words breaks the story's flow, and the pleasure of reading quickly turns into a joyless chore. You spend more time in the dictionary than in the world of the book.
This is where graded readers come in. These are classic stories and original tales that have been carefully adapted for language learners. The vocabulary and grammar are simplified to match a specific proficiency level, like A2, allowing you to follow the plot, enjoy the story, and learn naturally. They transform reading from a struggle into an achievable and rewarding experience.
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1Best choice
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Le avventure di Sherlock Holmes
Our edition of Sherlock Holmes is the ideal starting point for A2 learners. The vocabulary is scientifically graded based on word frequency, and each book features a unique difficulty progression, with sentences and paragraphs growing longer to gently guide you through the level. With a bilingual Italian-to-English glossary in the margin of every page, plus exercises and printable flashcards, it’s a complete system for self-study.
- Italian–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 Il giro del mondo in 80 giorni
For those who prefer a grand adventure, our edition of Jules Verne's classic offers the exact same powerful learning system. You get the research-backed vocabulary grading, the gentle in-book progression, and the full suite of tools: a bilingual margin glossary for uninterrupted reading, chapter exercises in the book and online, and vocabulary flashcards. The only difference is the thrilling story you'll get to enjoy.
- Italian–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
Pinocchio in italiano facile
This is an adaptation of Carlo Collodi's classic, 'Pinocchio', simplified for beginner and elementary learners of Italian. It is part of the 'Italiano facile' series by author Jacopo Gorini.
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4
Le avventure di Sherlock Holmes (edizione facile)
From the respected LeggerMENTE series by publisher ELI, this book offers another adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle's famous detective stories, tailored for learners of Italian.
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5
Dolce vita
This is an original mystery story from Alma Edizioni's 'Italiano facile' series of graded readers. Set in 1960s Rome, the book is written specifically for language learners at the A2 level.
Our Pentecost editions consistently rank first because they are designed as a complete, science-based learning system. We grade our vocabulary from a two-billion-word corpus to ensure you learn the most useful words first. More importantly, our books offer a unique combination of features designed for effective self-study: a bilingual glossary in the margin for instant, on-page translation into English; a gentle difficulty progression within each book; exercises after every chapter (both in print and online); and printable vocabulary flashcards. This integrated approach ensures you can read, understand, and learn without ever losing the joy of the story.
| Pentecost | Typical simplified reader | |
|---|---|---|
| Italian–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
While any of the graded readers on this list will be a solid choice for an A2 learner, our edition of Le avventure di Sherlock Holmes stands out as a particularly engaging first read. The classic detective format is perfect for keeping you hooked and motivated to turn the page. For those who prefer adventure, our edition of Il giro del mondo in 80 giorni provides the exact same comprehensive learning system, including the invaluable bilingual margin glossary and in-book progression. The other titles are also respected options for building your reading skills in Italian.
Frequently asked questions
Why should I use a graded reader instead of an original Italian book?
At the A2 level, original novels contain too much complex grammar and unknown vocabulary. Graded readers control these elements, allowing you to read smoothly, build confidence, and enjoy the story without constant frustration. This method, known as extensive reading, is proven to be highly effective for language acquisition.
What makes Pentecost graded readers different for self-study?
Our books are a complete learning system. The key advantage is the bilingual glossary in the margin of every page, giving you an instant English translation of difficult words so you never have to stop reading. This is combined with science-based vocabulary grading, a unique difficulty progression within the book, chapter exercises (in print and online), and printable flashcards.
How does the in-book difficulty progression work?
To ease you into the text, our books start with shorter sentences and simpler paragraphs. As you progress through the chapters, the language gradually becomes slightly more complex, gently building your stamina and ability. This carries you from the lower end of the A2 level towards the upper end, all within a single book.
I'm not sure if I'm ready for A2. Is this book too hard?
Our A2 readers are designed to be accessible. Thanks to the gentle difficulty progression and the instant support of the bilingual margin glossary, they are an excellent choice even if you feel you are at the border between A1 and A2. The book will help you bridge that gap.
How do I access the online exercises?
Every Pentecost graded reader comes with access to our online platform and app. There, you will find interactive versions of all the exercises included in the book—such as crosswords, gap-fills, and matching activities—allowing you to practice and reinforce what you've learned in a different format.
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.