These French B1 graded readers are designed for Intermediate learners who can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar topics. The stories use carefully calibrated vocabulary for the B1 CEFR level so you can enjoy reading while naturally expanding your French. A margin glossary on every page gives you instant translations — no need to reach for a separate dictionary. Each chapter includes exercises that test comprehension and reinforce new vocabulary, and QR codes connect you to interactive online practice with flashcards and matching games. Available as ebook, paperback, and hardcover.
About French
Where French is spoken
French is an official language in France and is widely used in Canada (especially Québec), Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and many countries in West and Central Africa and the Caribbean through the Francophonie.
How many people speak it
French has about 80 million native speakers and roughly 250–300 million total users including widespread second-language use in Africa and elsewhere.
Grammar and structure
French nouns and adjectives agree in gender and number; articles and partitive constructions are central. Verbs are conjugated for person, tense, and mood; compound past tenses (passé composé, imparfait) and the subjunctive are important milestones. Liaison and elision affect pronunciation and spelling awareness.
Best-rated French B1 graded readers
Ranked by average customer rating and number of reviews on our site. Every title below is a Pentecost graded reader: a simplified story at CEFR level with learning supports built in.
What if your next French lesson plunged you into a world of mad tea parties, grinning cats, and a queen who screams 'Off with their heads!'? Absorb hundreds of B1 French words and phrases effortlessly as you follow Alice's bizarre journey, building vocabulary that truly sticks.
Side glossary · In-book and online exercises
The clock is ticking. Can you outrun a detective, navigate perilous lands, and circumnavigate the globe in just 80 days? Absorb hundreds of real-world French words and phrases naturally, building B1 vocabulary that sticks effortlessly. Integrated glossaries ensure you never lose your place or your confidence.
Side glossary · In-book and online exercises
She thought him arrogant, he found her impertinent. Can love truly bloom from such fierce disdain? Absorb hundreds of real-world French words and phrases effortlessly as you get lost in their timeless romance. Margin definitions keep you immersed, never breaking your reading flow.
Side glossary · In-book and online exercises
The gaslight flickers, a cryptic note arrives, and a baffling case unfolds in foggy Victorian London. Can you deduce the truth? Master intermediate French vocabulary and grammar, absorbing it naturally as you solve crimes alongside the master detective. A margin dictionary means you never break your reading flow.
Side glossary · In-book and online exercises
What Our Readers Say
Our French B1 graded readers collection includes titles such as Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Around the World in 80 Days, Pride and Prejudice and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Every book comes with a margin dictionary, chapter exercises, and interactive online games.
Find the Right Level
Not sure if B1 is the right level for you? Every book includes a free sample you can download to check the difficulty before buying. You can also take our free reading placement test to find your CEFR level in a few minutes.
Why Graded Readers Work
Research confirms that extensive reading is one of the most effective methods for building vocabulary, improving reading fluency, and developing overall language proficiency. Graded readers make this approach accessible by matching text difficulty to your CEFR level, so you stay in the optimal learning zone. Learn more about the science behind our approach on the Pentecost Method page.
