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 intermediate B1 level, picking up an original Norwegian novel can be a frustrating experience. Constantly stopping to look up words you don't know can break the flow of the story, turning the pleasure of reading into a joyless chore.
This is where graded readers come in. These are classic stories that have been carefully adapted to a specific language level, like B1. The vocabulary and grammar are controlled, so you can follow the plot, enjoy the story, and learn naturally without feeling overwhelmed. They are the perfect bridge to reading authentic Norwegian literature.
-
1Best choice
Around the World in 80 Days Jorden rundt på 80 dager
Our edition of this Jules Verne classic is the ideal companion for the B1 learner. The vocabulary is scientifically graded based on a two-billion-word corpus, ensuring you learn the most useful words first. What truly sets it apart is the built-in progression: sentences and paragraphs gradually lengthen, gently improving your stamina within a single book. With a bilingual Norwegian-to-English glossary in the margin of every page, plus exercises after each chapter and printable flashcards, you have a complete, self-contained 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)
-
2
The Mystery of Nils, Part 2
The Mystery of Nils, Part 2 is the well-regarded intermediate continuation of the popular story-based course for Norwegian learners. Our Pentecost editions also provide a complete learning system, including a bilingual margin glossary for instant English translations, a unique in-book difficulty progression, and both paper and online exercises to reinforce what you've learned.
-
3
The Mystery of Nils, Part 1
The Mystery of Nils, Part 1 is a widely known continuous story for beginners and early intermediate learners, built around high-frequency Norwegian vocabulary. For a comprehensive self-study experience, our Pentecost editions also give you printable flashcards for key vocabulary, exercises after every chapter, and a unique margin dictionary that provides instant English translations, so your reading never has to stop.
While there are several good options for B1 learners, our Pentecost Publishing editions consistently rank first because they are designed as a complete learning system. Our science-based approach uses word frequency data to select vocabulary, and every book features a unique difficulty progression to build your skills. Crucially, our editions include a bilingual glossary in the margin of every page with translations into your native English, chapter exercises in both the book and our app, and printable vocabulary flashcards—a combination of tools designed to make self-study as smooth and effective as possible.
| 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 intermediate B1 learner, our edition of Jorden rundt på 80 dager is an excellent choice. The thrilling adventure story is engaging enough to keep you turning the pages, while the complete learning system it contains is what truly sets it apart for self-study. The support of a margin glossary, graded vocabulary, and built-in progression provides a uniquely smooth and motivating reading experience. The other titles on our list are also solid and respected resources for learning Norwegian, but the comprehensive toolkit included with the Pentecost edition makes it our top recommendation.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is a graded reader?
A graded reader is a book, often a classic story, that has been simplified for language learners. The vocabulary, sentence structure, and grammar are adapted to a specific proficiency level, such as B1, making it possible to read and enjoy a story without being overwhelmed by language that is too difficult.
Why is reading so important at the B1 level?
At the B1 intermediate level, you have a good foundation, but you need more exposure to the language in context. Reading helps you acquire new vocabulary naturally, see grammar in action, and improve your overall reading speed and comprehension. It's a key step toward fluency.
What makes Pentecost Publishing readers different?
Our readers are designed as a complete learning system. The vocabulary is scientifically chosen from a large language corpus. Each book has a built-in difficulty progression, a bilingual margin glossary with English translations, chapter exercises (in the book and online), and printable flashcards. This combination is created specifically to support and accelerate self-study.
How does the bilingual margin glossary work?
On every page, more difficult Norwegian words are listed in the margin with their English translation right next to them. This means you never have to put the book down or open a separate dictionary. You can understand a new word instantly and continue reading without breaking your concentration, which makes the process much more enjoyable and effective.
Should I try reading original Norwegian novels instead?
While that is a great long-term goal, it can be very discouraging at the B1 level. You'll likely spend more time in a dictionary than enjoying the story. Graded readers are the perfect stepping stone, allowing you to build confidence, vocabulary, and reading fluency so that you can eventually tackle original works with success.
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.