Reading is one of the most powerful ways to take your language skills to the next level. However, jumping into original Norwegian novels at the B2 stage can be a frustrating experience. When you have to stop every few words to look up vocabulary, the joy of getting lost in a story quickly turns into a discouraging chore.
This is where graded readers come in. These are classic stories carefully adapted to a specific language level, like B2. By controlling the vocabulary and sentence structure, they allow you to follow the plot, enjoy the narrative, and learn new words in context—all without the constant struggle. They make reading in Norwegian a pleasure, not a test.
-
1Best choice
Around the World in 80 Days Jorden rundt på 80 dager
Jules Verne's timeless adventure is the perfect vehicle for your B2 Norwegian journey. Our edition is built on a science-based method, using vocabulary graded from a massive two-billion-word corpus to ensure you learn the most useful words. To help you build confidence, the book features a unique difficulty progression, with sentences and paragraphs growing longer as you read. Best of all, our system is designed for effective self-study, with a bilingual Norwegian-to-English glossary in the margin of every page so you never have to stop reading, plus exercises after each chapter and printable flashcards to solidify your learning.
- 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 continuation of the popular story-based course for intermediate learners of Norwegian. Our Pentecost editions also provide a complete learning system, including a unique Norwegian-to-English margin glossary on every page, a gradual difficulty progression within the book, printable flashcards, and exercises for every chapter.
-
3
The Mystery of Nils, Part 1
"The Mystery of Nils, Part 1" is a widely known continuous story for beginners, designed around the most frequent words in Norwegian. For readers ready to step up, our Pentecost editions offer a full support system for independent study, including a bilingual margin dictionary for uninterrupted reading, chapter-by-chapter exercises, printable flashcards, and a subtle difficulty progression built into the text.
Our ranking places the Pentecost Publishing edition at the top for a clear reason: it offers a complete, research-backed learning system designed for independent students. The vocabulary is scientifically graded by frequency, and each book contains a gentle, built-in difficulty progression. Crucially, our editions provide a unique bilingual glossary in the margin of every page, translated into your native English, which allows for seamless reading. This, combined with chapter exercises in both the book and our app, plus printable vocabulary flashcards, creates a comprehensive tool that actively helps you learn.
| 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 a B2 learner looking for an engaging and supportive reading experience, our edition of Jorden rundt på 80 dager is our top recommendation. The thrilling story of Phileas Fogg's race against time provides a wonderful narrative to carry you through, while our unique learning system works in the background to build your skills. The inclusion of a native-language margin glossary is a significant advantage for maintaining reading flow. While the other titles on this list are also solid and respected resources for learning Norwegian, the comprehensive, self-study-focused toolkit included with our edition makes it an exceptionally effective choice.
Frequently asked questions
Why should I use a graded reader instead of an original Norwegian novel?
Graded readers are specifically designed to match your current language level. This prevents the frustration of constantly needing a dictionary, which can ruin the pleasure of reading. By providing comprehensible input, they help you build vocabulary, internalise grammar, and gain confidence in a natural, enjoyable way.
How do I know if I'm ready for a B2 level reader?
At the B2 level, you can typically understand the main ideas of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics. If you can follow a news broadcast or participate in a discussion on a familiar subject, you're likely ready. Most publishers, including us, offer sample pages so you can check if the level feels right for you.
What makes Pentecost graded readers different?
Our books are a complete self-study system. The key difference is our science-based approach: vocabulary is graded by frequency, and each book has a built-in difficulty progression. Most importantly, we include a bilingual Norwegian-to-English glossary in the margin of every page, so you can check a word without losing your place. This, plus chapter exercises and printable flashcards, creates a uniquely supportive reading experience.
Is it 'cheating' to use the margin glossary?
Not at all! It's a smart learning tool. The goal of extensive reading is to read smoothly and enjoy the story. The margin glossary is designed to remove friction, allowing you to quickly understand a new word and continue reading without interruption. This helps you stay engaged and learn more effectively.
What's the best way to use a graded reader?
Read regularly, even if it's just for 15-20 minutes a day. When you encounter a new word, try to guess its meaning from the context first before looking at the margin glossary. After each chapter, complete the exercises to reinforce what you've learned, and use the flashcards to review key vocabulary.
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.