Reading is one of the most powerful ways to build fluency in a new language. But if you're an upper-intermediate learner, jumping into original Italian novels can be a frustrating experience. When you're constantly stopping to look up words, the pleasure of getting lost in a story turns into a joyless slog, and it's easy to lose the plot—and your motivation.
This is where graded readers are the perfect solution. These are classic stories that have been carefully adapted by language experts, with vocabulary and grammar tailored specifically to your CEFR level. They allow you to enjoy a great story and experience the thrill of reading a 'real' book in Italian, all while learning in a natural and rewarding way.
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1Best choice
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Le avventure di Sherlock Holmes
Our edition of Sherlock Holmes is an ideal choice for B2 learners. The vocabulary is scientifically graded using a two-billion-word corpus, ensuring you learn the most useful words first. As you read, the sentences and paragraphs gently increase in length, building your stamina within a single book. This complete learning system also includes a bilingual margin glossary with English translations, chapter exercises in both the book and app, and printable vocabulary flashcards.
- 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
Jules Verne's classic adventure is brought to life for B2 learners in our comprehensive edition. We've grounded our approach in extensive reading research, so you can be sure you're learning effectively. The book features a unique progression system where the text complexity grows as you read, plus a handy Italian-to-English glossary right in the margin of every page. To reinforce your learning, you also get access to chapter exercises online and in print, along with cut-out flashcards for key words.
- 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
Dolce vita
Dolce vita, from the Italiano facile series by Alma Edizioni, is a popular graded reader for this level. It's an original mystery story set in the vibrant atmosphere of 1960s Rome.
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4
Le avventure di Sherlock Holmes (edizione facile)
This version of Le avventure di Sherlock Holmes is part of the LeggerMENTE series from ELI. It's a respected adaptation of Conan Doyle's famous detective stories, designed for learners of Italian.
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5
Pinocchio in italiano facile
Pinocchio in italiano facile is a simplified adaptation of the classic Italian tale by Carlo Collodi. This version, by Jacopo Gorini, makes the well-known story accessible to language learners.
While all the books on our list are valuable for B2 learners, our Pentecost Publishing editions take the top spots for a clear reason: they are designed as a complete, self-contained system for self-study. Our science-based method grades vocabulary by frequency, and every book features a gentle difficulty progression to build your reading confidence. Crucially, our editions also give you a bilingual margin glossary for instant translations into your own language, chapter exercises in both print and digital formats, and printable flashcards—a comprehensive toolkit to ensure you learn effectively while you read.
| 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
For an upper-intermediate learner, our top-ranked edition of Le avventure di Sherlock Holmes is an excellent place to start. The classic detective story format, with its self-contained mysteries, is particularly engaging and rewarding to read in Italian. While the other books on this list are also solid choices, the complete learning system included in our Pentecost editions gives you a significant advantage for self-study. Our other title, Il giro del mondo in 80 giorni, offers the very same system, so your choice simply comes down to whether you prefer a thrilling adventure or a brilliant mystery.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is a graded reader?
A graded reader is a book that has been adapted for language learners. The vocabulary, sentence structures, and grammar are simplified to fit a specific proficiency level, such as B2 on the CEFR scale. This allows you to read comfortably without the constant need for a dictionary, making learning enjoyable and effective.
I'm at a B2 level. Why shouldn't I just read original Italian novels?
While reading authentic novels is a great goal, it can be very difficult at the B2 level. Graded readers bridge the gap. They expose you to more complex language and storytelling than beginner texts, but in a controlled way that builds your confidence, vocabulary, and reading stamina for future authentic literature.
How do Pentecost readers help me learn more effectively?
Our readers are a complete learning system. The vocabulary is scientifically selected from a massive language corpus. Each book has a built-in difficulty progression. And we provide a full toolkit: a bilingual margin glossary for instant help, exercises after every chapter (in the book and online), and printable flashcards to review key words.
What is the bilingual margin glossary and why is it important?
It's a mini-dictionary right on the page, translating difficult Italian words into your native language, English. This is a major advantage because it allows you to understand a new word instantly without breaking your reading flow or reaching for a dictionary. You stay immersed in the story, which is key to extensive reading.
How should I use a graded reader for the best results?
Read for pleasure! Try to read regularly, even if it's just one chapter at a time. With our editions, glance at the margin glossary for any unfamiliar words, and try the exercises after each chapter to check your understanding and reinforce what you've learned. The goal is to enjoy the story while your brain absorbs the language naturally.
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.