Reading is one of the most powerful ways to build your vocabulary and get a feel for a new language. But if you're at an A2 level, picking up an original Spanish novel can be discouraging. When you have to look up every other word, the pleasure of getting lost in a story quickly turns into a joyless slog, and it's easy to give up.
This is where graded readers are the perfect solution. These are classic stories that have been skilfully adapted for language learners. The vocabulary and grammar are carefully controlled to match your specific level, allowing you to follow the plot, enjoy the story, and learn naturally without the constant struggle.
-
1Best choice
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Las Aventuras de Sherlock Holmes
This collection of mysteries is perfect for A2 learners. Our edition features a unique system where sentences and paragraphs gradually lengthen, easing you into more complex Spanish. Plus, with a bilingual margin glossary in your native language, chapter exercises, and printable flashcards, you have a complete self-study tool.
- Spanish–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 La vuelta al mundo en 80 días
Join Phileas Fogg on his epic journey with our A2 graded reader. The vocabulary is scientifically selected for your level from a massive corpus of words, ensuring you learn what's most useful. Reading is seamless thanks to the on-page margin glossary, and you can test your knowledge with exercises after every chapter.
- Spanish–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 Alicia en el país de las maravillas
Fall down the rabbit hole with this whimsical classic, carefully adapted for A2 learners. Our edition supports your reading with printable flashcards for key vocabulary and a unique in-book progression system. The bilingual margin glossary means you never have to stop reading to look up a word, making learning both fun and efficient.
- Spanish–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
Lola Lago: Vacaciones al sol
This is a popular short detective story from the 'Lola Lago, detective' series. It's written in accessible Spanish, making it a well-regarded choice for elementary learners.
-
5
Lola Lago: Una nota falsa
Another case for the Madrid-based private detective Lola Lago. This title is part of a widely used series designed for students of Spanish.
-
6
Lazarillo de Tormes (adaptación)
This is a simplified adaptation of the famous Spanish picaresque novel. It belongs to the 'Lecturas clásicas graduadas' series, which makes classic literature accessible to language learners.
-
7
Lola Lago: Por amor al arte
An engaging mystery from the 'Lola Lago, detective' series. This story is suitable for learners at the elementary to intermediate level looking for an entertaining read.
Our top-ranked editions from Pentecost Publishing are designed to be a complete self-study system. They stand out because the vocabulary is scientifically graded from a two-billion-word corpus, and each book has a built-in difficulty progression. Furthermore, our editions include exercises after every chapter (both in print and online), printable vocabulary flashcards, and a unique bilingual margin glossary that provides translations right on the page, so your reading flow is never interrupted.
| Pentecost | Typical simplified reader | |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish–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
While all the books on this list are solid choices for an A2 learner, our top recommendation is Las Aventuras de Sherlock Holmes. The short, self-contained mystery stories are particularly motivating and make for a great entry point into reading in Spanish. Our other ranked editions, La vuelta al mundo en 80 días and Alicia en el país de las maravillas, offer the exact same comprehensive learning system—including the science-based grading, in-book progression, and bilingual margin glossary—so your choice can simply come down to which classic tale appeals to you most.
Frequently asked questions
Why are graded readers better than children's books for learning Spanish?
Graded readers are specifically designed for adult language learners. The vocabulary and grammar are scientifically controlled for your level (like A2), based on word frequency research. Children's books, while seemingly simple, often contain complex or idiomatic language and cultural references that can be confusing for a learner.
What makes the Pentecost Publishing editions special for self-study?
Our editions are a complete learning system. The key is the support we build in: a bilingual margin glossary in your native language so you don't need a separate dictionary, a gentle difficulty progression within each book, exercises after every chapter, and printable flashcards. This science-based approach helps you learn the most useful words and read with confidence.
How should I use a graded reader to get the most benefit?
Try to read without stopping to look up every single word. Use the context and our on-page margin glossary for difficult terms. The goal is "extensive reading"—reading for pleasure and overall understanding. After each chapter, complete the exercises to check your comprehension and reinforce new vocabulary.
I'm between A1 and A2. Should I choose an A2 book?
It's generally better to read a book that feels slightly easy than one that feels too hard. If you're just moving into A2, our books are a great choice because they feature a built-in progression; the first chapters start simpler and gradually become more complex, gently guiding you up through the A2 level within a single book.
What's the difference between the Pentecost Sherlock Holmes and Around the World in 80 Days editions?
The learning system is identical in all our A2 books! They all feature the same science-based vocabulary grading, in-book progression, margin glossary, exercises, and flashcards. The only difference is the story itself. Simply choose the classic tale that you find most interesting.
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.