French

Book Title

by , simplified by Christine Guardian

5.0 (28 reviews)
A1 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 graded reader story adapted specifically for A1 (beginner) 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.
  • Accompanied by his new valet Passepartout, Fogg embarks on a meticulously planned global dash.
  • Their journey is fraught with peril, pursued by Detective Fix, and includes rescuing an Indian princess.

Why does this work better than apps and textbooks?

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

  • 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, exercises (crosswords, gap-fills, anagrams) tailored to A1 level await – new words stick in your mind.
  • Learn anywhere: A mobile app with games allows you to review vocabulary on your way to work, in line, or wherever 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.

Tailored 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 A1 level. You learn exactly the words that are most useful in everyday life.

How to choose the right level?

This book is at A1 level. Not sure which level to choose? Take our 3-minute placement test on our website – we'll immediately show you which book is 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
(28 reviews)
Francis 2025-12-04

Parlez-vous? Not yet - but this gets me closer without drowning me in rules.

James 2025-12-08

First graded reader where I could actually follow the story without stopping every line.

Wendy 2025-12-15

Fifteen minutes a day is enough to move forward. No guilt about slow pace.

anna_pdx 2025-12-25

I finished a full chapter for the first time - small thing, but it felt real.

Jerome 2026-01-01

One of the better A1 materials I have tried. No grammar avalanche at once.

Pages212
Chapters37
For learnersfor English-speaking learners
ISBN (E-Book)9788368879445
ISBN (Paperback)9788368879452
Published2026-04-12

Other top-rated French A1 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. 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

  2. 2. Pride and Prejudice (5.0 ★, 28)

    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

  3. 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.

    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.