French Graded Readers

Read French graded readers with a margin dictionary and vocabulary exercises. Available as ebook, paperback, and hardcover — from A1 beginner to C2.

16 books

Every book is available as an e-book (EPUB and PDF) and as a paperback.

16 books found

Cover of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – French B2 graded reader

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland in French at level B2 with dictionary

B2 🇫🇷 French

by Lewis Caroll for English-speaking learners

Shrink, grow, and navigate a world where "off with their heads!" is a common greeting. Absorb complex French structures and vocabulary naturally, building confidence with every madcap encounter. Contextual notes clarify tricky idioms and cultural nuances....

Cover of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – French B1 graded reader

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland in French at level B1 with dictionary

B1 🇫🇷 French

by Lewis Caroll for English-speaking learners

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....

Cover of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – French A2 graded reader

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland in French at level A2 with dictionary

A2 🇫🇷 French

by Lewis Caroll for English-speaking learners

One moment you're bored, the next you're shrinking, growing, and facing a furious queen who screams 'Off with their heads!' Master A2 French vocabulary and grammar naturally, absorbing hundreds of real-world words as you navigate Wonderland's whimsical chaos. Integrated vocabulary support keeps you immersed....

Cover of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – French A1 graded reader

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland in French at level A1 with dictionary

A1 🇫🇷 French

by Lewis Caroll for English-speaking learners

One moment you're normal, the next you're tiny or towering, facing a queen who screams "Off with their heads!" Dive into this whimsical chaos and effortlessly absorb hundreds of real-world French words and phrases, building vocabulary that truly sticks....

Cover of Around the World in 80 Days – French B2 graded reader

Around the World in 80 Days in French at level B2 with dictionary

B2 🇫🇷 French

by Jules Verne for English-speaking learners

The clock is ticking. Your fortune, and freedom, depend on a daring dash across the globe, pursued by a relentless detective. Master complex French structures and expand your vocabulary naturally, swept away by Fogg's epic journey. Contextual notes clarify tricky idioms, keeping you immersed....

Cover of Around the World in 80 Days – French B1 graded reader

Around the World in 80 Days in French at level B1 with dictionary

B1 🇫🇷 French

by Jules Verne for English-speaking learners

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....

Cover of Around the World in 80 Days – French A2 graded reader

Around the World in 80 Days in French at level A2 with dictionary

A2 🇫🇷 French

by Jules Verne for English-speaking learners

Your fortune on the line, a world to conquer in 80 days, and a detective convinced you're a thief. Master essential French vocabulary and grammar effortlessly, swept away by this thrilling global adventure. Integrated vocabulary support means you never break your reading flow....

Cover of Around the World in 80 Days – French A1 graded reader

Around the World in 80 Days in French at level A1 with dictionary

A1 🇫🇷 French

by Jules Verne for English-speaking learners

Can you really circle the globe in just 80 days, with a fortune on the line and danger at every turn? Master beginner French vocabulary and grammar without even realizing it, swept away by a global race against the clock. Integrated glossaries mean you never break your reading flow....

Cover of Pride and Prejudice – French B2 graded reader

Pride and Prejudice in French at level B2 with dictionary

B2 🇫🇷 French

by Jane Austen for English-speaking learners

Her sharp wit clashed with his arrogant pride, but what if their first impressions were a dangerous deception? Absorb hundreds of real-world French words and complex grammar naturally as you get lost in this timeless tale of love and misunderstanding. A margin dictionary means you never break your reading flow....

Cover of Pride and Prejudice – French B1 graded reader

Pride and Prejudice in French at level B1 with dictionary

B1 🇫🇷 French

by Jane Austen for English-speaking learners

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....

Cover of Pride and Prejudice – French A2 graded reader

Pride and Prejudice in French at level A2 with dictionary

A2 🇫🇷 French

by Jane Austen for English-speaking learners

She swore she'd never marry him, but a shocking secret reveals his true heart. Absorb hundreds of A2 French words and phrases effortlessly, building vocabulary that sticks as you get lost in their timeless romance. Contextual definitions on every page keep you immersed, never breaking your reading flow....

Cover of Pride and Prejudice – French A1 graded reader

Pride and Prejudice in French at level A1 with dictionary

A1 🇫🇷 French

by Jane Austen for English-speaking learners

He's arrogant, she's prejudiced. Can love bloom amidst scandal and societal pressure? Absorb hundreds of essential French words and phrases naturally, building your A1 vocabulary effortlessly as you get lost in their story. A built-in margin dictionary keeps you immersed, never breaking your reading flow....

Cover of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes – French A2 graded reader

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes in French at level A2 with dictionary

A2 🇫🇷 French

by Arthur Conan Doyle for English-speaking learners

Step into foggy Victorian London, where every shadow hides a secret and only one mind can connect the clues. Absorb hundreds of real-world French words and build vocabulary that sticks, effortlessly mastering A2 French through thrilling deduction....

Cover of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes – French A1 graded reader

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes in French at level A1 with dictionary

A1 🇫🇷 French

by Arthur Conan Doyle for English-speaking learners

Step into foggy London, where secrets lurk and only one man can see the truth. Build essential A1 French vocabulary and grammar effortlessly, all while solving a thrilling mystery. A built-in dictionary means you never break your reading flow....

Cover of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes – French B1 graded reader

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes in French at level B1 with dictionary

B1 🇫🇷 French

by Arthur Conan Doyle for English-speaking learners

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....

Cover of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes – French B2 graded reader

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes in French at level B2 with dictionary

B2 🇫🇷 French

by Arthur Conan Doyle for English-speaking learners

The gaslight flickers, a scream echoes, and a new mystery unfolds in Victorian London. Absorb complex French vocabulary and grammar naturally as you follow Holmes's brilliant deductions. A margin dictionary ensures your reading flow is never interrupted....

Learn French Through Extensive Reading

Extensive reading is one of the most effective ways to build vocabulary and improve fluency. Our French graded readers apply the comprehensible input principle: you read stories written just above your current CEFR level, picking up new words naturally from context. Every page features a margin glossary so you never break your reading flow to look up a word. After each chapter, comprehension and vocabulary exercises reinforce what you've read, and QR codes link directly to online flashcards and matching games for spaced repetition practice. From A1 beginner to C2 proficiency, every French book is available as an ebook, paperback, or hardcover — choose the format that fits your learning style.

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 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.

  1. Shrink, grow, and navigate a world where "off with their heads!" is a common greeting. Absorb complex French structures and vocabulary naturally, building confidence with every madcap encounter. Contextual notes clarify tricky idioms and cultural nuances.

    Side glossary · In-book and online exercises

  2. 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

  3. One moment you're bored, the next you're shrinking, growing, and facing a furious queen who screams 'Off with their heads!' Master A2 French vocabulary and grammar naturally, absorbing hundreds of real-world words as you navigate Wonderland's whimsical chaos. Integrated vocabulary support keeps you immersed.

    Side glossary · In-book and online exercises

  4. One moment you're normal, the next you're tiny or towering, facing a queen who screams "Off with their heads!" Dive into this whimsical chaos and effortlessly absorb hundreds of real-world French words and phrases, building vocabulary that truly sticks.

    Side glossary · In-book and online exercises

  5. The clock is ticking. Your fortune, and freedom, depend on a daring dash across the globe, pursued by a relentless detective. Master complex French structures and expand your vocabulary naturally, swept away by Fogg's epic journey. Contextual notes clarify tricky idioms, keeping you immersed.

    Side glossary · In-book and online exercises

  6. 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

  7. Your fortune on the line, a world to conquer in 80 days, and a detective convinced you're a thief. Master essential French vocabulary and grammar effortlessly, swept away by this thrilling global adventure. Integrated vocabulary support means you never break your reading flow.

    Side glossary · In-book and online exercises

  8. Can you really circle the globe in just 80 days, with a fortune on the line and danger at every turn? Master beginner French vocabulary and grammar without even realizing it, swept away by a global race against the clock. Integrated glossaries mean you never break your reading flow.

    Side glossary · In-book and online exercises

  9. 9. Pride and Prejudice (0.0 ★, 0)

    Her sharp wit clashed with his arrogant pride, but what if their first impressions were a dangerous deception? Absorb hundreds of real-world French words and complex grammar naturally as you get lost in this timeless tale of love and misunderstanding. A margin dictionary means you never break your reading flow.

    Side glossary · In-book and online exercises

  10. 10. Pride and Prejudice (0.0 ★, 0)

    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

  11. 11. Pride and Prejudice (0.0 ★, 0)

    She swore she'd never marry him, but a shocking secret reveals his true heart. Absorb hundreds of A2 French words and phrases effortlessly, building vocabulary that sticks as you get lost in their timeless romance. Contextual definitions on every page keep you immersed, never breaking your reading flow.

    Side glossary · In-book and online exercises

  12. 12. Pride and Prejudice (0.0 ★, 0)

    He's arrogant, she's prejudiced. Can love bloom amidst scandal and societal pressure? Absorb hundreds of essential French words and phrases naturally, building your A1 vocabulary effortlessly as you get lost in their story. A built-in margin dictionary keeps you immersed, never breaking your reading flow.

    Side glossary · In-book and online exercises

What Our Readers Say

Our French 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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Start by identifying your CEFR level (A1–C2). You can take our free online placement test to determine your reading level in French. Then use the filters on this page to browse books at your exact level. Each of our books is calibrated so that you understand about 95% of the vocabulary, which research shows is the sweet spot for natural language acquisition. If you are unsure, start one level below your estimate — you will build confidence and move up quickly.
The most effective way to learn to read in French is simply by reading — a lot, and at the right level. Linguist Stephen Krashen's research on extensive reading shows that reading for pleasure at a comprehensible level is the single most powerful method for language acquisition. Graded readers like ours are designed for exactly this: they offer engaging stories calibrated to your level, with built-in glossaries so you never need to stop and look up words. The more you read, the more vocabulary and grammar you absorb naturally.
The quickest way is our free CEFR placement test, which estimates your reading level in just a few minutes. For an official certification, consider internationally recognized exams such as DELF, DALF, TCF. These tests assess reading, writing, listening, and speaking and map to CEFR levels (A1–C2) that correspond directly to our book levels, so you will always know which books suit you.
Graded readers work because they apply the principles behind the Pentecost Method. The 95% Rule ensures you encounter roughly 5 new words per 100 — the optimal rate for acquisition according to Hu & Nation's research. The Retention Loop uses strategic vocabulary recycling and end-of-chapter exercises to beat the forgetting curve. And Motivation First means you read compelling stories instead of textbook drills, which keeps your brain's Affective Filter low and makes learning effortless.