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 an A2-level learner, picking up an original Norwegian novel can be deeply frustrating. Constantly stopping to look up unknown words breaks the flow, turning the pleasure of a good story into a joyless chore.
This is where graded readers come in. These are beloved classics and modern stories, carefully adapted by language experts to match your specific level. With simplified grammar and vocabulary, they allow you to follow the plot, enjoy the story, and learn naturally, page by page.
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1Best choice
Around the World in 80 Days Jorden rundt på 80 dager
This timeless adventure is the perfect companion for A2 learners. Our edition is built on a science-based method, using vocabulary graded by frequency from a massive language corpus. To help you progress, sentences and paragraphs grow in complexity throughout the book, while a bilingual Norwegian-to-English glossary in the margin means you never have to stop reading to look up a word. With exercises after every chapter (in print and online) and printable flashcards, you get a complete system for effective self-study.
- Norwegian–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
The Mystery of Nils, Part 1
This is the first part of a well-regarded continuous story designed for beginner Norwegian learners. Our Pentecost editions also provide a complete learning system, including a unique Norwegian-to-English margin glossary for uninterrupted reading, a built-in difficulty progression, chapter exercises in the book and online, and printable vocabulary flashcards.
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The Mystery of Nils, Part 2
This book is the intermediate continuation of the popular 'Nils' learner novel series. For a comprehensive self-study experience, our Pentecost editions additionally offer a bilingual margin dictionary on every page, a gradual increase in sentence complexity as you read, and a full suite of exercises and flashcards for both print and digital use.
While there are several good options for A2 learners, our Pentecost Publishing editions top this list for a clear reason: they are a complete, self-contained learning system. We ground our vocabulary in corpus science, build in a gentle difficulty progression within each book, and provide a unique Norwegian-to-English margin glossary on every page. Combined with chapter exercises and printable flashcards, our readers are designed to give you the most effective and enjoyable path to fluency.
| Pentecost | Typical simplified reader | |
|---|---|---|
| Norwegian–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 A2 learner taking their first steps into reading Norwegian, our edition of Jorden rundt på 80 dager is our top recommendation. The thrilling, fast-paced adventure is engaging enough to keep you turning the pages, while our unique learning system provides all the support you need for independent study. The other titles in this list are also solid choices for learners, but the complete, science-backed toolkit included in the Pentecost edition makes it an exceptionally effective and rewarding read.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is a graded reader?
A graded reader is a book that has been simplified for language learners. The vocabulary, sentence structures, and grammar are carefully controlled to match a specific proficiency level, such as A2 on the CEFR scale. This allows you to read a full story without feeling overwhelmed.
Why is reading so important at the A2 level?
At the A2 level, you're moving beyond basic phrases. Reading extensively—meaning reading a lot of level-appropriate material—is the best way to encounter new words in context, see grammar in action, and build the fluency needed for more complex communication. It makes language learning feel natural and enjoyable.
How do I know if A2 is the right level for me?
A good rule of thumb is the 'five-finger rule': open a page at random and count the number of words you don't know. If there are fewer than five, the book is likely a good fit. You want it to be challenging enough to learn new things, but easy enough to follow the story without constant dictionary use.
What makes Pentecost Publishing's readers ideal for self-study?
Our readers are designed as a complete learning system. The key is the Norwegian-to-English glossary in the margin of every page, so you never lose your reading flow. This is combined with vocabulary graded by word frequency, a gentle difficulty progression within the book, chapter exercises (both in print and online), and printable flashcards.
How do the in-book difficulty progression and margin glossary work together?
They create a smooth learning curve. The book starts with shorter sentences to build your confidence. As they gradually get longer, the margin glossary is right there to help with any new words, ensuring you can keep reading smoothly without interruption. This combination helps you progress gently but steadily through the A2 level within a single book.
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.