Reading is one of the most powerful ways to build your vocabulary and internalise grammar. But if you're an upper-intermediate learner, jumping into original Russian literature can be a frustrating experience. Constantly stopping to look up words breaks your focus, and complex sentence structures can make it impossible to follow the plot, turning the pleasure of reading into a joyless chore.
This is where graded readers come in. These are classic stories carefully adapted for a specific proficiency level, like B2. By controlling the vocabulary and simplifying complex sentences, they allow you to read smoothly, follow the narrative, and absorb the language naturally, making learning both effective and deeply satisfying.
-
1Best choice
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Приключения Шерлока Холмса
This collection of iconic mysteries is an ideal choice for B2 learners. Our edition is built on a science-based method, with vocabulary graded by frequency from a massive corpus of Russian text. The difficulty also progresses within the book itself—sentences and paragraphs grow longer, gently guiding you to a higher level of proficiency. This complete system makes it perfect for self-study.
- Russian–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
Around the World in 80 Days Вокруг света за 80 дней
Jules Verne's classic adventure is a thrilling read at the B2 level. What makes our edition so effective for independent learners is the support system: after every chapter, you'll find exercises like crosswords and gap-fills, available in both the book and our app. Plus, a bilingual glossary in the margin translates difficult words into English right on the page, so you never have to stop reading.
- Russian–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)
-
3
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland Алиса в Стране чудес
Lewis Carroll's whimsical tale offers a unique way to expand your Russian vocabulary. To help you master the new words, our edition includes printable flashcards for key terms. This, combined with our unique in-book progression and a handy margin glossary in your native language, provides a comprehensive learning experience that helps you read with confidence and enjoyment.
- Russian–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)
-
4
Три сестры (адаптация)
This adaptation of Chekhov's famous play, 'Три сестры', is a respected title from the Библиотека Златоуста series for advanced learners. To further support your learning, our Pentecost editions also provide a complete system including a bilingual margin glossary for instant look-ups, exercises for every chapter, and printable vocabulary flashcards.
-
5
Пиковая дама (адаптация)
Pushkin's 'Пиковая дама' is another well-regarded adaptation from the Библиотека Златоуста series, designed for upper-level Russian learners. For a fully integrated self-study experience, our Pentecost editions also give you a unique in-book difficulty progression, chapter-by-chapter exercises in the book and online, and a margin glossary with translations into English.
-
6
Дубровский (адаптация)
This adaptation of Pushkin's 'Дубровский' from the КЛАСС!ное чтение series is a popular choice for intermediate readers. Our Pentecost editions build on the reading experience by also offering a science-based vocabulary selection and a complete learning toolkit, including printable flashcards and a bilingual margin dictionary on every page.
-
7
Очень простые истории (адаптация)
The collection 'Очень простые истории' from the Библиотека Златоуста series offers original stories for learners. To help you progress smoothly, our Pentecost editions also feature a unique structure where sentences and paragraphs gradually grow in length, alongside a full set of learning aids like chapter exercises and a margin glossary in your native language.
Our Pentecost Publishing editions consistently rank at the top because they are more than just simplified stories; they are complete learning systems designed for self-study. Each book features vocabulary graded from a scientific corpus, a unique difficulty progression within the book, and a full suite of tools: exercises for every chapter (in print and online), printable flashcards, and our signature bilingual margin glossary that provides instant translations into your own language. This integrated approach ensures you can read without interruption and learn effectively.
| Pentecost | Typical simplified reader | |
|---|---|---|
| Russian–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 B2 edition of Приключения Шерлока Холмса (The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes) is an excellent starting point. The engaging, self-contained mysteries keep you motivated, while our complete learning system supports you every step of the way. Our other B2 titles, like Вокруг света за 80 дней and Алиса в Стране чудес, offer the exact same pedagogical features, so your choice can simply come down to which story you'd most like to read. The other titles in this list are also solid options for expanding your Russian library.
Frequently asked questions
Why should I use graded readers instead of original Russian books?
At the B2 level, original texts can still contain a high density of unknown words and complex, archaic grammar. This forces you to stop reading frequently to use a dictionary, which breaks immersion and makes reading feel like work. Graded readers control the vocabulary and sentence structure, allowing you to read smoothly and enjoy the story, which is a far more effective and motivating way to learn.
What makes Pentecost graded readers different?
Our readers are a complete learning system. The vocabulary is scientifically graded based on word frequency. Each book has a built-in difficulty progression. We include exercises after every chapter (in print and online), printable flashcards, and, most importantly, a bilingual margin glossary that translates difficult words into your native language right on the page. This means you can read without interruption.
How does the bilingual margin glossary work?
As you read, any word that is likely to be new or difficult at your level is listed in the margin of the page with a direct translation into your mother tongue—in this case, English. This allows you to understand a new word in a fraction of a second without ever putting the book down or opening a different app, keeping you in the flow of the story.
I'm between B1 and B2. Which level should I choose?
For extensive reading, it's always better to read comfortably at a slightly easier level than to struggle with a harder one. If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a B1 reader. The goal is to read fluently and enjoyably. Thanks to the built-in progression in our books, a B1 title will gently prepare you for the B2 level.
How should I use the exercises and flashcards?
The exercises (like crosswords and gap-fills) are best done after finishing a chapter to review and reinforce the new vocabulary and grammar you've encountered. The printable flashcards are perfect for active recall practice anytime, helping you move new words from your passive understanding into your active 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.