German Graded Readers

Read German with a dictionary beside the text and vocabulary exercises.

5.00 from 261 reviews
20 books
Format

20 books

Cover of Alice im Wunderland – German B2 graded reader
E-BookPaperback

Alice im Wunderland in German at level B2 with dictionary

B2 German Glossary: English

by Lewis Carroll 5.0(11)

Imagine a world where tea parties are always mad, cats grin impossibly, and queens scream "Off with their heads!" Dive into Alice's bizarre German adventure and effortlessly absorb B2 vocabulary and grammar, building fluency that truly sticks....

Cover of Alice im Wunderland – German B1 graded reader
E-BookPaperback

Alice im Wunderland in German at level B1 with dictionary

B1 German Glossary: English

by Lewis Carroll 5.0(16)

Tumble down the rabbit hole into a world where logic bends, cats grin, and queens demand heads. Absorb hundreds of B1 German words and phrases naturally, building comprehension effortlessly as you follow Alice's bizarre journey. A margin dictionary means you never break your reading flow....

Cover of Alice im Wunderland – German A2 graded reader
E-BookPaperback

Alice im Wunderland in German at level A2 with dictionary

A2 German Glossary: English

by Lewis Carroll 5.0(18)

Tumble down the rabbit hole into a world where logic is optional and a grinning cat holds all the secrets. Absorb hundreds of real-world German words and phrases effortlessly, building A2 vocabulary that truly sticks. A margin dictionary ensures you never break your reading flow....

Cover of Alice im Wunderland – German A1 graded reader
E-BookPaperbackAudiobook

Alice im Wunderland in German at level A1 with dictionary

A1 German Glossary: English

by Lewis Carroll 5.0(21)

Imagine tumbling down a rabbit hole into a world where logic bends and queens scream "Off with their heads!" Master beginner German naturally as you follow Alice's wild journey, absorbing hundreds of real-world words without a textbook. A margin dictionary means you never break your reading flow....

Cover of Reise um die Erde in 80 Tagen – German B2 graded reader
E-BookPaperback

Reise um die Erde in 80 Tagen in German at level B2 with dictionary

B2 German Glossary: English

by Jules Verne 5.0(19)

The clock is ticking. Can you outrun a relentless detective and circumnavigate the globe in just eighty days, with a fortune and a new love at stake? You'll effortlessly absorb B2 German vocabulary and complex grammar, building fluency while lost in a timeless adventure. A margin dictionary means you never break your reading flow....

Cover of Reise um die Erde in 80 Tagen – German A1 graded reader
E-BookPaperbackAudiobook

Reise um die Erde in 80 Tagen in German at level A1 with dictionary

A1 German Glossary: English

by Jules Verne 5.0(14)

A daring bet, a global chase, and a detective convinced you're a thief – your adventure begins now. Master German A1 vocabulary and grammar naturally, swept away by a classic tale of adventure. A built-in dictionary on every page keeps you immersed, never breaking your reading flow....

Cover of Reise um die Erde in 80 Tagen – German B1 graded reader
E-BookPaperback

Reise um die Erde in 80 Tagen in German at level B1 with dictionary

B1 German Glossary: English

by Jules Verne 5.0(16)

Can you outrun a detective across continents, rescue a princess, and win a fortune in just 80 days? Absorb German naturally while lost in this thrilling adventure, building B1 vocabulary that sticks effortlessly. A margin dictionary means you never break your reading flow....

Cover of Reise um die Erde in 80 Tagen – German A2 graded reader
E-BookPaperback

Reise um die Erde in 80 Tagen in German at level A2 with dictionary

A2 German Glossary: English

by Jules Verne 5.0(19)

A daring wager, a ticking clock, and a detective hot on your heels across three continents – can you make it back in time? You'll absorb German naturally, building vocabulary that sticks effortlessly, all while lost in a gripping, real story. A margin dictionary means you never break your reading flow, keeping you immersed....

Cover of Die Abenteuer des Sherlock Holmes – German A2 graded reader
E-BookPaperbackAudiobook

Die Abenteuer des Sherlock Holmes in German at level A2 with dictionary

A2 German Glossary: English

by Arthur Conan Doyle 5.0(16)

The game is afoot! Can you deduce the culprit before Sherlock Holmes reveals all? Master A2 German vocabulary and grammar, absorbing it naturally as you join Holmes on his thrilling cases. A built-in margin dictionary keeps you immersed, never breaking your deductive flow....

Cover of Die Abenteuer des Sherlock Holmes – German B2 graded reader
E-BookPaperback

Die Abenteuer des Sherlock Holmes in German at level B2 with dictionary

B2 German Glossary: English

by Arthur Conan Doyle 5.0(24)

The game is afoot! A baffling mystery unfolds on Baker Street, demanding your sharpest wit. You'll absorb sophisticated German vocabulary and complex B2 structures naturally, without ever feeling like you're studying. A margin dictionary keeps you immersed, never breaking your reading flow....

Cover of Die Abenteuer des Sherlock Holmes – German B1 graded reader
E-BookPaperbackAudiobook

Die Abenteuer des Sherlock Holmes in German at level B1 with dictionary

B1 German Glossary: English

by Arthur Conan Doyle 5.0(22)

A stolen jewel, a baffling murder, a secret whispered in the foggy London streets – can you unravel the clues before Holmes does? Absorb B1 German vocabulary and grammar naturally, mastering every twist and turn of the case without ever feeling like you're studying. Contextual notes clarify tricky phrases, keeping you immersed in the thrilling pursuit of truth....

Cover of Die Abenteuer des Sherlock Holmes – German A1 graded reader
E-BookPaperbackAudiobook

Die Abenteuer des Sherlock Holmes in German at level A1 with dictionary

A1 German Glossary: English

by Arthur Conan Doyle 5.0(18)

The gaslight flickers, a shadow falls across Baker Street, and a baffling mystery awaits. Master essential German vocabulary and grammar naturally, without even realizing you're learning. A margin dictionary means you never break your reading flow....

Cover of Reise um die Erde in 80 Tagen – German B2 graded reader
E-BookPaperback

Reise um die Erde in 80 Tagen po niemiecku na poziomie B2 ze słownikiem

B2 German Glossary: Polish

by Jules Verne 5.0(6)

Zegar tyka, a świat czeka! Czy Phileas Fogg zdoła okrążyć glob w 80 dni, ścigany przez detektywa i walcząc z każdą sekundą? Pochłaniaj niemiecki na poziomie B2, śledząc jego przygody i bez wysiłku budując słownictwo, które zostanie z Tobą na zawsze....

Cover of Reise um die Erde in 80 Tagen – German B1 graded reader
E-BookPaperback

Reise um die Erde in 80 Tagen po niemiecku na poziomie B1 ze słownikiem

B1 German Glossary: Polish

by Jules Verne 5.0(5)

Zakład o fortunę, szalona podróż dookoła świata i detektyw depczący po piętach. Zanurz się w niemieckim, śledząc szaloną pogoń za czasem i poznając setki nowych słów bez wysiłku. Słowniczek na marginesie pozwoli Ci płynąć przez tekst bez przerywania lektury....

Cover of Reise um die Erde in 80 Tagen – German A2 graded reader
E-BookPaperback

Reise um die Erde in 80 Tagen po niemiecku na poziomie A2 ze słownikiem

A2 German Glossary: Polish

by Jules Verne 5.0(6)

Zegar tyka, a szalony zakład o fortunę pcha Phileasa Fogga w pościg dookoła świata, ściganego przez detektywa. Ucz się niemieckiego naturalnie, śledząc losy bohaterów i chłonąc setki realnych słów bez podręcznika....

Cover of Reise um die Erde in 80 Tagen – German A1 graded reader
E-BookPaperbackAudiobook

Reise um die Erde in 80 Tagen po niemiecku na poziomie A1 ze słownikiem

A1 German Glossary: Polish

by Jules Verne 5.0(5)

Zegar tyka, a detektyw depcze po piętach. Czy zdążysz okrążyć świat w 80 dni, zanim będzie za późno? Pochłaniaj niemiecki naturalnie, śledząc losy Fogga i Passepartout, budując słownictwo, które zostanie z Tobą na zawsze. Słowniczek na marginesie sprawi, że nigdy nie przerwiesz lektury....

Cover of Die Abenteuer des Sherlock Holmes – German B2 graded reader
E-BookPaperback

Die Abenteuer des Sherlock Holmes po niemiecku na poziomie B2 ze słownikiem

B2 German Glossary: Polish

by Arthur Conan Doyle 5.0(7)

Mroczne sekrety wiktoriańskiego Londynu czekają na rozwikłanie, a Ty możesz być świadkiem genialnych dedukcji Sherlocka Holmesa. Pochłaniaj niemiecki na poziomie B2, budując słownictwo i płynność bez wysiłku, zanurzony w intrygującą fabułę. Słowniczek na marginesie pozwoli Ci nie przerywać lektury....

Cover of Die Abenteuer des Sherlock Holmes – German B1 graded reader
E-BookPaperbackAudiobook

Die Abenteuer des Sherlock Holmes po niemiecku na poziomie B1 ze słownikiem

B1 German Glossary: Polish

by Arthur Conan Doyle 5.0(7)

Mroczne ulice wiktoriańskiego Londynu szepczą o zbrodniach, a niewinni drżą przed nieznanym. Zanurz się w intrygach Holmesa i bez wysiłku wchłaniaj setki niemieckich słów, budując słownictwo, które naprawdę zostaje. Słowniczek na marginesie sprawi, że nigdy nie stracisz wątku....

Cover of Die Abenteuer des Sherlock Holmes – German A2 graded reader
E-BookPaperbackAudiobook

Die Abenteuer des Sherlock Holmes po niemiecku na poziomie A2 ze słownikiem

A2 German Glossary: Polish

by Arthur Conan Doyle 5.0(6)

Wiktoriański Londyn skrywa mroczne sekrety, a genialny Sherlock Holmes potrzebuje Twojej pomocy, by rozwikłać najbardziej zagadkowe zbrodnie. Pochłaniaj niemiecki A2 bez wysiłku, wciągnięty w świat dedukcji i tajemnic, z wbudowanymi słowniczkami, które ułatwią naukę....

Cover of Die Abenteuer des Sherlock Holmes – German A1 graded reader
E-BookAudiobook

Die Abenteuer des Sherlock Holmes po niemiecku na poziomie A1 ze słownikiem

A1 German Glossary: Polish

by Arthur Conan Doyle 5.0(5)

Wiktoriański Londyn skrywa mroczne sekrety, a tylko Sherlock Holmes może je rozwikłać. Pochłaniaj niemiecki A1 bez wysiłku, śledząc genialne dedukcje i budując słownictwo, które zostanie z Tobą. Słowniczek na marginesie sprawi, że nigdy nie przerwiesz lektury....

Learn German Through Extensive Reading

Extensive reading is one of the most effective ways to build vocabulary and improve fluency. Our German 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 glossary beside the text 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 German book is available as an ebook or paperback — choose the format that fits your learning style.

About German

Where German is spoken

German is an official language in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and Belgium (in part), and is spoken by communities across Europe and worldwide.

How many people speak it

German has roughly 80–100 million native speakers and well over 100 million people who use it regularly as a second or foreign language, chiefly in Europe.

Grammar and structure

German is known for its three genders (masculine, feminine, neuter), four cases (nominative, accusative, dative, genitive), and verb-second (V2) word order in main clauses. Compound nouns are frequent; separable verbs and modal verbs are core topics for learners at intermediate levels.

Best-rated German 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. The game is afoot! A baffling mystery unfolds on Baker Street, demanding your sharpest wit. You'll absorb sophisticated German vocabulary and complex B2 structures naturally, without ever feeling like you're studying. A margin dictionary keeps you immersed, never breaking your reading flow.

    Side glossary · In-book and online exercises

  2. A stolen jewel, a baffling murder, a secret whispered in the foggy London streets – can you unravel the clues before Holmes does? Absorb B1 German vocabulary and grammar naturally, mastering every twist and turn of the case without ever feeling like you're studying. Contextual notes clarify tricky phrases, keeping you immersed in the thrilling pursuit of truth.

    Side glossary · In-book and online exercises

  3. Imagine tumbling down a rabbit hole into a world where logic bends and queens scream "Off with their heads!" Master beginner German naturally as you follow Alice's wild journey, absorbing hundreds of real-world words without a textbook. A margin dictionary means you never break your reading flow.

    Side glossary · In-book and online exercises

  4. The clock is ticking. Can you outrun a relentless detective and circumnavigate the globe in just eighty days, with a fortune and a new love at stake? You'll effortlessly absorb B2 German vocabulary and complex grammar, building fluency while lost in a timeless adventure. A margin dictionary means you never break your reading flow.

    Side glossary · In-book and online exercises

  5. A daring wager, a ticking clock, and a detective hot on your heels across three continents – can you make it back in time? You'll absorb German naturally, building vocabulary that sticks effortlessly, all while lost in a gripping, real story. A margin dictionary means you never break your reading flow, keeping you immersed.

    Side glossary · In-book and online exercises

  6. Tumble down the rabbit hole into a world where logic is optional and a grinning cat holds all the secrets. Absorb hundreds of real-world German words and phrases effortlessly, building A2 vocabulary that truly sticks. A margin dictionary ensures you never break your reading flow.

    Side glossary · In-book and online exercises

  7. The gaslight flickers, a shadow falls across Baker Street, and a baffling mystery awaits. Master essential German vocabulary and grammar naturally, without even realizing you're learning. A margin dictionary means you never break your reading flow.

    Side glossary · In-book and online exercises

  8. Tumble down the rabbit hole into a world where logic bends, cats grin, and queens demand heads. Absorb hundreds of B1 German words and phrases naturally, building comprehension effortlessly as you follow Alice's bizarre journey. A margin dictionary means you never break your reading flow.

    Side glossary · In-book and online exercises

  9. Can you outrun a detective across continents, rescue a princess, and win a fortune in just 80 days? Absorb German naturally while lost in this thrilling adventure, building B1 vocabulary that sticks effortlessly. A margin dictionary means you never break your reading flow.

    Side glossary · In-book and online exercises

  10. The game is afoot! Can you deduce the culprit before Sherlock Holmes reveals all? Master A2 German vocabulary and grammar, absorbing it naturally as you join Holmes on his thrilling cases. A built-in margin dictionary keeps you immersed, never breaking your deductive flow.

    Side glossary · In-book and online exercises

  11. 11. Around the World in 80 Days (5.0 ★, 14)

    A daring bet, a global chase, and a detective convinced you're a thief – your adventure begins now. Master German A1 vocabulary and grammar naturally, swept away by a classic tale of adventure. A built-in dictionary on every page keeps you immersed, never breaking your reading flow.

    Side glossary · In-book and online exercises

  12. Imagine a world where tea parties are always mad, cats grin impossibly, and queens scream "Off with their heads!" Dive into Alice's bizarre German adventure and effortlessly absorb B2 vocabulary and grammar, building fluency that truly sticks.

    Side glossary · In-book and online exercises

Formats: e-book, paperback and super audiobook

Our graded readers come in several formats. The text, the CEFR level and the glossary are the same in each — only the way you read changes. Pick whatever suits your day: the e-book on your phone on the way to work, paper and pencil at your desk, or the super audiobook when you want to read and listen at the same time.

E-book (EPUB and PDF). You can download both files right after purchase and read on an e-reader, phone, tablet or computer. Difficult words have their translation in a pop-up note: one tap and you are back in the story, no dictionary needed. Each chapter ends with vocabulary exercises, and a link takes you to free online practice with the same words.

Paperback. A classic softcover book, printed to order and sent by post. The glossary sits in the margin, right next to the word it explains, so you never have to flip pages. Chapters end with crosswords and vocabulary exercises, and QR codes take you to online practice on your phone. A good choice if you like writing in your books or want a break from screens.

Formats on this list (20 books): E-Book: 20 · Paperback: 19 · Super audiobook: 9.

The super audiobook: read, listen and check meanings at the same time

A super audiobook is an audiobook in karaoke form. A narrator reads the book aloud while the same text is in front of you, with a marker moving along it word by word. You always know which word you are hearing, so you never lose your place — even when the narrator speaks faster than you read. Your ears tell your eyes how a written word sounds, your eyes tell your ears how to spell what you hear, and both routes reinforce the same words at once.

The real difference shows when you meet a word you don't know. In an ordinary audiobook it is gone in a second; in a super audiobook it stays within reach: glossary words are marked in colour, and pressing and holding one shows its translation in your language. You check the meaning, keep listening and never lose the thread. A slider sets the narrator's speed from 0.5× to 1.5× — slow down at first to catch every syllable, then speed up towards natural speech. The words you meet while reading come back later in short exercises in the app, such as a mini crossword or building a word from its letters.

Reading while listening is well supported by research. In a Canadian programme described by Lightbown and colleagues (2002), children who for three years learned English only this way — reading books while listening to their recordings — understood the language as well as or better than peers taught in regular classes. Waring and Takaki (2003) showed that you need to meet a word at least eight times to have even a 50% chance of recognising it three months later. Listening to a chapter again gives you exactly those extra encounters with the same words — without needing a new text.

At A1 and A2 the super audiobook helps you connect spelling with pronunciation — especially valuable in languages that are not read the way they are written, or that use a different alphabet. At B1 and B2 it carries you along at the pace of real speech, so you get used to fluent listening and stop pausing at every sentence. Advanced readers often don't need a narrator at all — which is why you decide when to switch it on and when to read silently.

The super audiobook plays in the Pentecost app or in your browser, on a phone, tablet or computer. You can add it to an e-book: on the book page, tick “Add the audiobook” in the e-book box; if you already own the e-book, you can buy the recording on its own. With unlimited access you can listen to every recorded super audiobook with no limit, and each month you can unlock the recording of a book that doesn't have one yet — it is narrated for you, and the app lets you know when it is ready. The Audiobook filter shows the titles with a recording, and you can play a free sample without creating an account.

What Our Readers Say

Our German graded readers consistently receive outstanding reviews — 261 people have rated them 5.00 out of 5 on average. Readers highlight the dictionary beside the text, end-of-chapter exercises, and online vocabulary games as features that set our books apart from any other graded reader series.

Our German graded readers collection includes titles such as Alice im Wunderland, Reise um die Erde in 80 Tagen and Die Abenteuer des Sherlock Holmes . Every book comes with a dictionary beside the text (in the margin in print, a pop-up in EPUB), chapter exercises, and interactive online games.

★★★★★
"At B1 the sentences sound more natural, and I still understand most of the page without turning everything into English in my head."
★★★★★
"At B2 I read longer units without the “rescue footnote every line” feeling. Support still lands at chapter end, which suits me."
★★★★★
"At B1 I can get through longer chapters without opening a translator every paragraph. That alone feels like progress."
★★★★★
"The difficulty grows in the language, not in “wilder and wilder plots.” Exactly what I want from a graded reader."
★★★★★
"After A2 I wondered what comes next. This volume: more text, same end-of-chapter glossary and exercises."
★★★★★
"Sometimes the exercises annoy me, but they honestly show when I skimmed. I go back and reread."

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.

About the writers and translators

Classic writers from this list come first; the Pentecost editors who adapted these readers follow in the next block.

  • Arthur Conan Doyle: Arthur Conan Doyle (1859–1930) was a Scottish physician and writer, the creator of Sherlock Holmes. The brilliant detective was modelled on his university teacher, Dr. Joseph Bell, famous for his razor-sharp powers of observation.
  • Jules Verne: Jules Verne (1828–1905) was a French writer known as the father of science fiction and one of the most translated authors in the world. In his novels he foresaw submarines and space travel long before they existed.
  • Lewis Carroll: Lewis Carroll (1832–1898) was the pen name of Charles Dodgson, an Oxford mathematician and logician. He invented the story of Alice during a boat trip, to entertain a real little girl named Alice Liddell.

Translators and editors

Pentecost editors adapt vocabulary and notes so the story stays clear at your level.

  • Angela Borderkeeper: Angela Borderkeeper adapts German-language stories for English readers who are building vocabulary through extensive reading. She balances literal clarity with readable English, especially where German stacks nouns or uses modal particles that do not map neatly. Her side notes focus on collocations learners will meet again in real newspapers and podcasts.
  • Aniela Pogranicznik: Aniela Pogranicznik przygotowuje polskie opracowania tekstów niemieckich w serii dla samouków. Zwraca uwagę na to, by zdania były krótkie tam, gdzie trzeba, ale żeby nie straciły naturalnego szyku — szczególnie w scenach dialogowych. Często wraca do swoich notatek z kursów dla nauczycieli, gdy układa glosariusze i przypisy do trudniejszych zwrotów.

Every book is available as an e-book (EPUB and PDF) and as a paperback. Many titles also come as an audiobook: a narrator reads in the app while each word lights up, karaoke-style.

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 German. 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 German 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 Goethe-Zertifikat, TestDaF, telc Deutsch. 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.
Yes — many of our titles come with a karaoke-style audiobook. A narrator reads the book in the Pentecost app or in your browser while each word lights up as it is spoken, so you train listening and reading at the same time and never lose your place. You can add the audiobook to any e-book that has a recording; use the Format filter on this page to see the titles with audio.