US  Reading Level

ESL Reading Level (CEFR)

Title

Author

Synopsis

 9–10

C1

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court 

Mark Twain

A Yankee engineer from Connecticut named Hank Morgan receives a severe blow to the head and is somehow transported in time and space to England during the reign of King Arthur. After some initial confusion and his capture by one of Arthur's knights, Hank realizes that he is actually in the past, and he uses his knowledge to make people believe that he is a powerful magician.

 9–10

B2

A Voyage round the World

William Henry Giles Kingston

The story follows a young boy named Harry Hopeton, who dreams of adventure at sea after being inspired by a family friend, Captain Frankland, a seasoned navigator. 

 9–10

B2

Dracula 

Bram Stoker

A chilling tale about Count Dracula, a vampire who travels from Transylvania to England to spread his undead curse. A group of brave friends bands together to stop him, facing fear, danger, and the fight between good and evil.

 9–10

B2

Frankenstein 

Frankenstein 

A young scientist who creates a grotesque but sapient creature in an unorthodox scientific experiment. 

 9–10

B2

Gulliver's Travels 

Jonathan Swift

Martin Woodside During his first voyage, Gulliver is washed ashore after a shipwreck and finds himself a prisoner of a race of tiny people, less than 6 inches (15 cm) tall, who are inhabitants of the island country of Lilliput. After giving assurances of his good behaviour, he is given a residence in Lilliput and becomes a favourite of the Lilliput Royal Court. 

 9–10

C1

Ivanhoe: A Romance

Walter Scott

Set during the reign of King Richard I, the story delves into the complexities of Anglo-Saxon and Norman relations in post-conquest England. 

 9–10

C1

Night

 Elie Wiesel 

Night by Elie Wiesel is a powerful memoir of his experiences as a teenager during the Holocaust. It tells the story of his survival in Nazi concentration camps and explores deep themes of faith, fear, and the struggle to remain human in inhuman conditions.

 9–10

C1

Pride and Prejudice 

Jane Austen

A classic novel about a smart and independent young woman, and a proud but kind-hearted gentleman. Through misunderstandings and personal growth, they learn to see past their differences and fall in love.

 9–10

C1

Romeo and Juliet

William Shakespeare

Juliet sees her beloved Romeo and realizes he has killed himself with poison. She kisses his poisoned lips, and when that does not kill her, buries his dagger in her chest, falling dead upon his body. 

 9–10

B2

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Mark Twain

The book explores the adventures of a young boy named Huckleberry Finn as he grapples with themes of freedom, morality, and societal expectations against the backdrop of the pre-Civil War American South. 

 9–10

B2

The Alchemist

Paulo Coelho

Paulo Coelho Santiago, a shepherd boy, longs for riches, only to find riches far different—and far more satisfying—than he ever imagined. His journey teaches us about the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, of recognizing opportunity and learning to read the omens strewn along life’s path, and, most importantly, to follow our dreams.

 9–10

C1

The Complete Stories and Poems 

Edgar Allan Poe

This collection brings together Edgar Allan Poe’s most haunting tales and lyrical poems, weaving a world of gothic mystery, psychological terror, and dark romanticism.

 9–10

C1

The Enchanted April

Elizabeth Von Arnim

The story revolves around four women who seek a transformative escape from their mundane lives in cold, rainy England to the alluring sunshine of a mediaeval castle in Italy. 

 9–10

B2

The Maltese Falcon

Dashiell Hammett

This novel featuring private investigator Sam Spade as he gets caught in a dangerous hunt for a priceless, jewel-encrusted statue. As deceit and betrayal unfold, Spade must navigate lies, murder, and temptation to uncover the truth.

 9–10

B2

The Phantom of the Opera 

Gaston Leroux

A mysterious and romantic tale set in the Paris Opera House, where a disfigured musical genius haunts the building. Obsessed with a young soprano named Christine, he uses fear and music to win her love, leading to a dramatic and tragic confrontation.

 9–10

B2

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and Other Tales of Terror 

Robert Louis Stevenson

A chilling tale about a respected doctor who creates a potion that transforms him into the evil Mr. Hyde. As Jekyll loses control over his darker side, the story explores the terrifying struggle between good and evil within one man.

 9–10

B2

The Tell Tale Heart and Other Writings 

Edgar Allan Poe 

Tales that explore madness, guilt, and the supernatural. From the chilling confession of a murderer in The Tell-Tale Heart to eerie poems like The Raven, Poe’s stories grip readers with suspense and psychological depth.

 9–10

B2

Three Men in a Boat 

Jerome K. Jerome 

The story follows three friends—George, Harris, and the narrator, along with their dog Montmorency—who embark on a comedic and chaotic boating trip on the Thames