French

Book Title

by , simplified by Christine Guardian

5.0 (33 reviews)
B2 for English-speaking learners
Side glossary
In-book and online exercises
Flashcards for each chapter
E-Book
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Imagine reading “Around the World in 80 Days” in French – and understanding every page

“Around the World in 80 Days” (in French: “Le Tour du monde en 80 jours”, orig. Around the World in Eighty Day) by Jules Verne – is a complete, engaging story adapted specifically for the B2 (upper intermediate) level. You don't need to know every word. You'll understand 95% of the text immediately, and every new word is explained in the margin. You simply read – and learn naturally.

What is this book about?

  • Phileas Fogg, an English gentleman, makes an audacious wager to circumnavigate the world in eighty days.
  • He embarks on a thrilling global dash with his new valet, Passepartout, pursued by Detective Fix who suspects Fogg of bank robbery.
  • Their journey is fraught with peril, cultural obstacles, and leads to the rescue of an Indian princess, Aouda.

Why does this work better than apps and textbooks?

Our books are based on the Pentecost Method – the only approach 100% grounded in scientific research on language learning. The result? You learn faster, remember more, and actually enjoy the learning process.

  • Read without interruption: Translations of the most difficult words are found in the margin of each page – you don't have to break away from the story to look them up in a dictionary.
  • Consolidate what you've read: After each chapter, there are exercises (crosswords, gap-fills, anagrams) tailored to the B2 level – new words stick in your mind.
  • Learn anywhere: A mobile app with games allows you to review vocabulary on your commute, in line, or whenever you have a moment.
  • Build lasting vocabulary: Flashcards at the end of the book allow you to systematically review the most important words – so you don't forget what you've learned.

Matched to your exact level

The vocabulary in this book has been selected based on an analysis of 2 billion words from authentic texts, precisely matched to the B2 level. You learn exactly the words that are most useful in everyday life.

How to choose the right level?

This book is a graded reader at level B2. Not sure which level to choose? Take our 3-minute placement test on our website – we'll immediately show you which book is right for you.

About the author

Jules Verne

Author

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.


Christine Guardian

Translator and editor

Christine Guardian

Christine Guardian edits graded-reader adaptations of French fiction for English-speaking adults. She keeps an eye on register—literary French can sound stiff in English if you translate every clause—and prefers footnotes that support the scene rather than pause it. She still reads long-form journalism in French to stay close to how people actually write today.

Customer Reviews

5.0
(33 reviews)
Colin 2025-12-05

Not a pile of rules dumped at once. Small steps, visible improvement in comprehension.

Alan 2025-12-10

French finally clicked past plateau territory. Repeats in the text and the drills helped.

tjm_72 2025-12-17

Upper intermediate without weird jumps. Book plus exercises is enough for routine study.

AdamNH 2025-12-20

For self-study past intermediate: clear layout, English support only where it helps.

Paula 2025-12-29

French from intermediate level finally moves again. Glossary and exercises carry it.

Pages308
Chapters37
For learnersfor English-speaking learners
ISBN (E-Book)9788368879506
ISBN (Paperback)9788368879513
Published2026-04-13

Other top-rated French B2 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. 2. Pride and Prejudice (5.0 ★, 26)

    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

  3. 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.

    Side glossary · In-book and online exercises

About French (the language of this book)

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.