How to choose a graded reader (A1–B1)
A short, honest guide for adult and teen learners of English, and for teachers choosing books for a class. Written by Abraão Paula, author of Comic Book Graded Readers — so yes, our books are mentioned, but so are the other series.
What is a graded reader?
A graded reader is a complete story written with limited vocabulary and grammar for one learner level. Because almost every word is already known, you can read a whole book without stopping to translate. Reading many easy books ("extensive reading") is one of the best-supported ways to build vocabulary, reading speed and confidence.
The 98% rule: how to find your level
Research on reading in a second language (for example Hu & Nation, 2000) suggests that comfortable reading needs you to know about 98% of the words on the page — roughly one unknown word in every 50. A simple test:
- Open any page of the book (most series show sample pages online or on Amazon).
- Count the words you do not know on that page.
- 0–2 unknown words: right level — read for pleasure. 3–5: a bit hard — good for study, not for fast reading. More than 5: go down one level.
If in doubt, choose the easier level. Reading a lot of easy text helps more than reading a little difficult text.
CEFR levels at a glance
| CEFR | You can… | Typical graded reader |
|---|---|---|
| A1 · Beginner | understand simple sentences about people, places and everyday actions | a few hundred headwords, short sentences, present and simple past |
| A2 · Elementary | follow a simple story with dialogue and common past forms | about 600–1,000 headwords |
| B1 · Intermediate | read longer stories with some description and opinion | about 1,200–2,000 headwords |
Each publisher counts headwords in its own way, so compare the CEFR level, not only the number.
Why pictures and audio help
- Pictures show the meaning of new words, so you guess correctly instead of translating. This is why comic-format readers work well at A1 and A2.
- Audio connects the written word with its pronunciation. Listening while you read ("reading-while-listening") also keeps a steady pace, so you do not stop at every word.
- Short exercises after the story check understanding without turning the book into a textbook.
The main graded reader series
All of these are good choices; the right one depends on your level, your taste in stories and how much you like pictures.
| Series | What it is |
|---|---|
| Oxford Bookworms Library | A large, long-running series from Oxford University Press, from starter to advanced, many with audio. |
| Penguin Readers / Pearson English Readers | Classics, modern stories and film tie-ins at seven levels. |
| Cambridge English Readers | Original fiction written for learners, from starter to advanced. |
| Black Cat / Helbling and others | Illustrated readers, often with activities, popular in schools. |
| Comic Book Graded Readers (our series) | Every page is a full-colour comic panel; CEFR A1 to B1; classic tales, adventures and original science fiction; eBook, paperback and hardcover on Amazon; free narrated audio and picture exercises on this website. |
How our books are organised
Level 1 · A1 · Beginner — red cover, about 300 headwords.
Level 2 · A2 · Elementary — green cover, about 600 headwords.
Level 3 · A2+/B1 · Pre-Intermediate — blue cover, about 1,200 headwords.
Each book has 118 pages: 3 opening pages, 104 comic pages and 11 pages of exercises with an answer key. On this website you can also listen to the narrated audio (American English voice) and play the picture exercises for free.
Quick checklist
- Use the 98% test on a sample page.
- Pick a story you would enjoy in your own language.
- Prefer books with audio if you want to improve listening and pronunciation.
- Read many short books at one level before moving up.
- Move up when you can read a book at your level without stopping.
Written by Abraão Paula, author and publisher of Comic Book Graded Readers. Series names belong to their publishers and are mentioned only to help readers compare.