82 Best Short Stories and Books in English

01. «Robinson Crusoe» for Beginner Levels

The PDF book titled Robinson Crusoe in Levels provides a simplified version of the classic tale, designed to help English learners improve their reading skills. The story is divided into levels, making it accessible for readers at different proficiency stages. The book follows the adventures of Robinson Crusoe, a young man who defies his father’s wishes to explore the world, only to end up shipwrecked on a deserted island. Through his journey, Crusoe faces numerous challenges, from storms at sea to encounters with cannibals, all while learning valuable lessons about survival and self-reliance.

02. ” Robinson Crusoe ” for Elementary Levels A2

The book Robinson Crusoe in Levels is a simplified version of the famous story, designed for elementary English learners. The book tells the adventure of Robinson Crusoe, a man stranded on a deserted island after a shipwreck. The story is written in simple language, making it easy to understand and follow. It helps readers improve their English skills while enjoying an exciting narrative.

03. «The Little Prince» for Beginner Levels

The book The Little Prince is a simple and beautiful story for elementary-level English learners. It tells the tale of a young prince who travels from his tiny planet to Earth, meeting various characters along the way. The story teaches important life lessons about love, friendship, and the things that truly matter.

04. ” The Little Prince ” for Elementary Levels A2

The book The Little Prince for Level 2 is a simplified version of the famous story, ideal for elementary English learners. The story follows a young prince who leaves his tiny planet to explore the universe, meeting various characters along the way. Each chapter introduces new lessons about life, love, and the importance of seeing things with the heart.

05. “Rich Man, Poor Man” for Beginner Levels A1

The book Rich Man, Poor Man is a simple and engaging story for elementary-level English learners. It tells the story of Adam, a poor farmer who receives a letter and a money order from his son, Saul, who works in a foreign country. The story follows Adam’s journey to the city to cash the money order, facing challenges along the way, including dealing with bureaucracy and deceit.

06. «The Girl with Red Hair (for Elementary Levels A2)

My name is Mark Sellers. I’m twenty-two years old, and I work in security in Mason’s store. You can get everything here- books, TVs, hats, flowers, sandwiches, beds, bicycles…Read Online and Free Download

07. The Fisherman and His Soul (for Elementary Levels A2)

“The Fisherman and His Soul” is a simple yet captivating short story written for elementary-level readers. It tells the tale of a young fisherman who falls in love with a beautiful mermaid. The fisherman is willing to give up his soul to marry the mermaid, believing that love is more important than anything else. The story explores the themes of love, sacrifice, and the consequences of following one’s heart, making it an engaging read for young learners.

08. «Blue Moon Beach» — for Beginners

“Blue Moon Beach” is a simple and engaging short story written for elementary-level English learners. The story is about Sam, a fifteen-year-old boy who lives at Blue Moon Beach, a beautiful place with warm water and white sand. Sam loves the sea eagles that live near his family’s hotel and is worried because there are fewer of them now. The story follows Sam’s summer adventures, including his unexpected friendship with Tim, a boy who comes to the beach with his mother.

09. The Young King (for Elementary Levels A2)

“The Young King and Other Stories” is a collection of short stories by Oscar Wilde, written in simple language for elementary-level English learners. The title story, “The Young King,” follows the journey of a young boy who is destined to become king. Raised in a humble setting, he discovers the harsh realities behind the beautiful robes, crowns, and scepters prepared for his coronation. The young king has three vivid dreams that reveal the suffering of people who create these royal items, leading him to make a surprising decision on his coronation day.

10. 10 Very Funny Short Stories — for Beginner Levels

The book “Funny English Books” is a delightful collection of humorous short stories and jokes designed for elementary-level English learners. Each story is simple, clear, and easy to understand, making it perfect for beginners. The stories, such as “Joke about a Bed” and “An Old Dog,” use everyday situations and witty punchlines to entertain readers while helping them improve their English language skills.

11. The Star — Child (for Elementary Levels A2)

Organize the attached PDF book thoroughly. Write an article based on the attached PDF book. Write the article for elementary level English. Keep the article simple and clear. Let the article consist of 2 paragraphs. The article should be 700 characters. Use the keyword ” short story in english pdf ” once somewhere in the article.

12. «Sister Love» for Beginner Levels

Marcia and Karin are sisters, but they are very different. Marcia is quiet and stays home to take care of their sick father. Karin is younger, beautiful, and often attracts attention. One day, Marcia brings home a man named Howard, whom she met at church. Howard and Marcia start spending time together, but Karin becomes jealous and starts to flirt with Howard. Soon, Howard starts to spend more time with Karin, and Marcia feels hurt.

13. «The Umbrella» for Beginner Levels

Carla, a student, buys a red umbrella at the market for seven dollars. She is happy because it is a very smart umbrella. Later, she goes to a cake shop and leaves her umbrella by the door. When she is ready to leave, she finds an old black umbrella with yellow ducks instead of her red one. Feeling unlucky, Carla takes the black umbrella and leaves the shop.

14. New Yorkers (for Elementary Levels A2)

In the short story “The Christmas Presents,” Delia and Jim are a poor couple living in New York. Delia wants to buy Jim a special Christmas present but only has one dollar and eighty-seven cents. To buy something special for Jim, she decides to sell her beautiful long hair. She uses the money to buy a gold chain for Jim’s pocket watch, which he loves very much.

15. «Jane Eyre» for Beginner Levels

In 1825, I was ten years old. My father and mother were dead. I lived with my aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mr.’s Reed. Their house was called Gates head Hall…Read Online and Free Download

16. «A Pretty Face» for Beginner Levels

Zoe is seventeen years old. She works in a bookstore, in the little town of Newport. Zoe likes books and she likes her work. But after work she likes to act in plays with the Newport Players…Read Online and Free Download

17. «The Story of Doctor Dolittle» for Pre-Intermediate Levels

ONCE upon a time, many years ago when our grandfathers were little children—there was a doctor; and his name was Dolittle…Read Online and Free Download.

18. The Love of King (for Elementary Levels A2)

Prince Edward was born in 1894. His father, King George V, was a tall, cold man who did not like children. ‘Why does Edward talk all the time?’ he once said. ‘He’s a very noisy child!’…Read Online and Free Download

19. «Marcel and the Shakespeare Letters» for Beginner Levels

     Marcel is a French mouse. He’s a detective and he lives in Paris. But Marcel doesn’t live in Paris all year…Read Online and Free Download

20. Lost love (for Elementary Levels A2)

There things happened to me nearly ten years ago. I lived in a city, but the city was hot in summer. I wanted to see the country. I wanted to walk in the woods and see green trees…Read Online and Free Download

21. «The Million Pound Bank Note» for Pre-Intermediate Levels

When I was 27 years old, I worked in an office in San Francisco. I did my job well and my future was promising. I was alone in the world and I was happy…Read Online and Free Download

22. «The Happy Prince» for Intermediate Levels

High above the city, on a tall column, stood the statue of the Happy Prince. He was gilded all over with thin leaves of fine gold, for eyes he had two bright sapphires,…Read Online and Free Download

23. Marley and Me (for Elementary Levels A2)

My name is John Grogan and I love dogs. When I was ten years old, my father gave me my first dog. I called him Shaun…Read Online and Free Download

24. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (for Elementary Levels A2)

 Alice was beginning to get very bored. She and her sister were sitting under the trees. Her sister was reading, but Alice had nothing to do…Read Online and Free Download

25. «Meet Me in Istanbul» for Pre-Intermediate Levels

It is early morning on a sunny spring day in April. Heathrow Airport, London, is busy, as usual.  Hundreds of people are arriving, leaving, or waiting for planes…Read Online and Free Download

26. The Bird of Happiness (for Elementary Levels A2)

A long time ago, a little boy called Igor lived with his mother and father in a small house which was made of wood…Read Online and Free Download

27. Good luck or bad luck? (for Elementary Levels A2)

Along time ago an old man lived in a small village in the mountains, in the middle of China. He had a son that he loved very much, but this son was a student in a city very far…Read Online and Free Download

28. «The Secret Garden» for Pre-Intermediate Levels

Nobody seemed to care about Mary.  She was born in India, where her father was a British official.  He was busy with his work, and her mother, who was very beautiful…Read Online and Free Download 

29. «Black Beauty» for Intermediate Levels

The first place I can remember well was a pleasant field with a pond of clear water in it. Trees made shadows over the pond, and water plants grew at the deep end…Read Online and Free Download

30. The Thief of Smells (for Elementary Levels A2)

There was once a baker who had a shop in a small town in America. This baker was not a very kind man. He never gave his customers any more bread than necessary for their money, and he never smiled…Read Online and Free Download

31. The Secret of the Stones (for Elementary Levels A2)

Laura and Max are twins. They live in London with their mum and dad. They always have interesting adventures on holiday. They visit different cities and countries…Read Online and Free Download

32. Anne of Green Gables (for Elementary Levels A2)

One fine spring afternoon in Avonlea, Mrs.  Rachel Lynde sat by her kitchen window.  She often sat there because she could see the Avonlea road very well from there…Read Online and Free Download

33. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (for Beginner Levels A1)

So Aunt Polly looked, and Tom was out of the house in a second. She laughed quietly. ‘I never learn. I love that Tom, my dead sister’s child, but he isn’t an easy boy for an old lady…Read Online and Free Download

34. A Little Princess (for Beginner Levels A1)

One cold winter day a little girl and her father arrived in London. Sara Crewe was seven years old, and she had long black hair and green eyes…Read Online and Free Download

35. My Cousin Rachel (for Intermediate Levels B2)

My father and mother died before I was two years old. I cannot remember them. My father died first, fighting in the war against the French in 1815…Read Online and Free Download

36. About a Boy (for Intermediate Levels B2)

Will Freeman was thirty-six years old and he had never had a job in his life. Sometimes he thought about working…Read Online and Free Download

37. Alien at School (for Elementary Levels A2)

My name is Jennifer Dale. My friends call me Jenny. I’m 16 years old and I live near Boston. My town is beautiful and very green. I live here with my parents and my dog, Fred…Read Online and Free Download

38. Three Men in a Boat (for Pre-Intermediate Levels B1)

There were four of us – George, William Samuel Harris, myself (my friends call me J), and Montmorency. We were sitting in my room and were smoking and talking about our bad health…Read Online and Free Download

39. Little Women (for Intermediate Levels B2)

 The four young faces round the fire cheered up as they thought of this, but then Jo said sadly, ‘We haven’t got Father, and…Read Online and Free Download

40. Aladdin and the Enchanted Lamp (for Beginner Levels A1)

Many years ago, in a city in Arabia, there was a boy called Aladdin. He lived with his mother in a little house near the market, and they were very poor…Read Online and Free Download

41. Don Quixote (for Pre-Intermediate Levels B1)

In the Spanish village of La Mancha, there lived a gentleman who loved to read. His favorite stories were of knights and their code of chivalry: full of dragons…Read Online and Free Download

42. Island for Sale (for Beginner Levels A1)

There are many islands in the sea near Scotland. This story is about one of these islands. The name of the island is Lana…Read Online and Free Download

43. Anna and the Fighter (for Beginner Levels A1)

 Anna did not sleep all night. She was excited. Early in the morning, her father called her…Read Online and Free Download

44. The Last of the Mohicans (for Beginner Levels A1)

It was the year 1757. The place was the dangerous and wild land, west of the Hudson River. It was the third year of the war in North America…Read Online and Free Download

45. The Street Lawyer (for Intermediate Levels B2)

The old black man got into the elevator behind me. He smelled of smoke and cheap wine and life on the streets without soap. His beard and hair were half-gray and very dirty…Read Online and Free Download

46. Cinderella Man (for Intermediate Levels B2)

There were nineteen thousand boxing supporters around the center ring in Madison Square Garden, and most were waiting for just one thing-for one fighter to murder another…Read Online and Free Download

47. Ali and his Camera (for Beginner Levels A1)

 Ali lives in Istanbul, a big city in Turkey. He lives in an old building near the famous Blue Mosque. After school, Ali comes home and sits at the window. He looks at the boats. They are going out to sea…Read Online and Free Download

48. The Girl with Green Eyes (for Elementary Levels A2)

‘Of course,’ the man in the brown hat said, ‘there are good policemen and there are bad policemen, you know.’…Read Online

49. «South for the Winter» for Beginners

I never stay in one country for a long time. It gets boring.  I like to move on, see new places, meet different people. It’s a good life, most of the time…Read Online

50. The Elephant Man (for Beginner Levels A1)

My name is Dr Frederick Treves. I am a doctor at the London Hospital. One day in 1884, I saw a picture in the window of a shop near the hospital. I stopped in front of the shop and looked at the picture…Read Online and Free Download

51. The Silver Swans (for Elementary Levels A2)

 My name is Doctor Horatio Fundoby. But I am not the kind of doctor who sees sick people. I am called a doctor because I have spent many, many years studying. I studied history…Read Online and Free Download

52. The Black Cat (for Pre-Intermediate Levels B1)

I have always been a kind and loving person – everyone will tell you this. They will also tell you that I have always loved animals more than anything. When I was a little boy, my family always had many…Read Online and Free Download

53. “Mr. Harris and the Night Train” (for Elementary Levels A2)

Mr. Harris liked trains. He was afraid of aeroplanes, and didn’t like buses. But trains —  they were big and noisy and exciting.  When he was a boy of ten…Read Online

54. Billy Elliot (for Pre-Intermediate Levels B1)

My brother Tony is stupid, but he likes good music. I listen to his records before school when he and my dad are out on the picket line. My grandmother – we call her Nan — likes the music too…Read Online and Free Download

55. Love or Money? (for Beginner Levels A1)

The Clarkson family lived in the country near Cambridge, about half a mile from the nearest village and about a mile from the river. They had a big, old house with a beautiful garden…Read Online and Free Download

56. Washington Square (for Elementary Levels A2)

 Many years ago in the city of New York, there lived a doctor. America likes doctors and New York liked Dr Sloper. At the time our story begins, in 1843, Dr Sloper was fifty years old…Read Online and Free Download

57. Forrest Gump (for Pre-Intermediate Levels B1)

 I was born an idiot – but I’m cleverer than people think. I can think things OK, but when I have to say them or write them down, sometimes they come out all wrong. When I was born, my Mom named me Forrest…Read Online and Free Download

58. White Fang (for Elementary Levels A2)

A young wolf, White Fang, is born near the Mackenzie River, in north-west Canada, in about 1893. One day he meets some Indians and they take him and his mother to their camp…Read Online and Free Download

59. A Kiss Before Dying (for Intermediate Levels B2)

It was nearly dark in the small room near the Stoddard University campus. The two people in the room that Sunday evening were both second-year students at the college. They were looking at each other in silence…Read Online and Free Download

60. The Snows of Kilimanjaro (for Advanced Levels C1-C2)

The cot the man lay on was in the wide shade of a mimosa tree and as he looked out past the shade onto the glare of the plain there were three of the big birds squatted obscenely…Read Online and Free Download

61. Walkabout (for Elementary Levels A2)

The bush boy walked alone. He was on his walkabout. He had to live in the desert alone for six months. He had to find food and water. He had to kill animals, and find fruit on the trees…Read Online and Free Download

62. Journey to the Centre of the Earth (for Beginner Levels A1)

Otto Lidenbrock is the famous professor of geology at the University of Hamburg, in Germany. He is also my uncle. He is sixty-five years old, not very tall, with grey hair. He wears small round gold glasses that make him look very serious…Read Online and Free Download

63. Prince William (for Beginner Levels A1)

It is the evening of 21 June 1982 — the first day of summer. Newspaper and television reporters near the doors of St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington, London, talk quickly into their telephones…Read Online and Free Download

64. Henry VIII and His Six Wives (for Elementary Levels A2)

   My name is Catherine Parr. A month ago I was the Queen of England, the wife of King Henry the Eighth. Henry died and we buried him last week in St George’s Church, Windsor. Two days ago, on 16th February 1547…Read Online and Free Download

65. Crooked House (for Pre-Intermediate Levels B1)

I first met Sophia Leonides in Egypt towards the end of World War II. She had quite an important job working for the government, and when I worked with her I soon realized how good at her job she was…Read Online and Free Download

66. “1984” (for Intermediate Levels B2)

It was a bright, cold day in April and the clocks were striking thirteen. Winston Smith hurried home to Victory Mansions with his head down to escape the terrible wind. A cloud of dust blew inside with him…Read Online and Free Download

67. Cold Mountain (for Advanced Levels C1-C2)

At the first light of dawn, flies began gathering around Inman’s eyes and the long wound in his neck. Their touch woke him immediately…Read Online and Free Download

68. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (for Pre-Intermediate Levels B1)

My name is Gilbert Markham and my story begins in October 1827, when I was twenty-four years old. I was living with my mother and my nineteen-year-old sister, Rose…Read Online and Free Download

69. Goodbye, Mr Hollywood (for Beginner Levels A1)

There was a cafe in the village, with tables outside, and at one of these tables sat a young man. He finished his breakfast, drank his coffee, looked up into the blue sky, and felt the warm sun on his face…Read Online and Free Download

70. Round the World in Eighty Days (for Elementary Levels A2)

In 1872, the Reform Club in London’s Pall Mall was a club for men only. Phileas Fogg went to the Preform Club every day. He left his house at 7 Savile Row at 11.30 in the morning and walked to the club…Read Online and Free Download

71. Love Story (for Pre-Intermediate Levels B1)

You can say that she was beautiful and intelligent. She loved Mozart and Bach and the Beatles. And tne. Once, when she told me that, I asked her who came first…Read Online and Free Download

72. Gulliver’s Travels (for Elementary Levels A2)

 This is Gulliver in Lilliput. He travels across the sea from England and has an accident. He arrives in a country of very, very small people. What will they do with him? How will he talk to them…Read Online and Free Download

73. Gone with the Wind (Part 1, for Intermediate Levels B2)

Scarlett O ’Hara was not beautiful, but men did not realize this when caught by her charm as the Tarleton twins were. Her eyes were green, and her skin was that soft white skin which Southern women valued so highly, and covered so carefully…Read Online and Free Download

74. Gone with the Wind (Part 2, for Intermediate Levels B2)

On a cold January afternoon in 1868, Scarlett O’Hara was writing to Aunt Pitty when Will Benteen came into the room. ‘Miss Scarlett,’ he said, ‘how much money do you have?’ She stared at him, wondering if something was wrong…Read Online and Free Download

75. The Gift of the Magi And Other Stories (for Beginner Levels A1)

The year is 1905. We are on the streets of New York, with its tall buildings, expensive stores, and important people. But what do we know about the little people? Who lives behind that door…Read Online and Free Download

76. Kidnapped (for Elementary Levels A2)

My name is David Balfour and my story begins one morning in June 1751. This was the day I left my father’s house in Essendean for the last time. My friend Mr Campbell was waiting for me…Read Online and Free Download

77. Diamonds Are Forever (for Intermediate Levels B1)

The large bush stood in the moonlight at the meeting place of three African countries. The man from the diamond mines had waited under the bush for nearly two hours. Suddenly, he heard the noise of a helicopter…Read Online and Free Download

78. Teacher Man (for Intermediate Levels B2)

This is how Frank McCourt’s teaching career begins—and it doesn’t get easier! As a young man, Frank McCourt leaves his poor, miserable childhood in Ireland behind him and moves to New York…Read Online and Free Download

79. The Monkey’s Paw (for Beginner Levels A1)

It was cold and dark out in the road and the rain did not stop for a minute. But in the little living-room of number 12 Castle Road it was nice and warm. Old Mr White and his son…Read Online and Free Download

80. Moby-Dick; or, The Whale (for Elementary Levels A2)

 My na9me is Ishmael and this is my story I’m a sailor and I work on different ships. I love my life on the ocean. It’s sometimes dangerous but never, never boring. I feel sad when I’m not on a ship.…Read Online and Free Download

81. The Count of Monte Cristo (for Pre-Intermediate Levels B1)

On 24th February 1815 the ship Pharaoh came in to Marseilles. A man on the shore jumped into a boat and went out to the ship. A young man, about twenty years old, looked over the side of the ship.…Read Online and Free Download

82. Titanic (for Beginner Levels A1)

In April 1912 the Titanic arrived in Southampton in the south of England. Everyone was excited about the new ship. It was the biggest ship in the world, the most beautiful, perhaps the fastest. And it was much safer than older ships.…Read Online and Free Download

“The Lottery” by Shirley Jackson is a thought-provoking short story set in a peaceful village. On a warm June morning, the villagers gather in the town square for their annual lottery. While the atmosphere appears cheerful, there is an underlying tension as the lottery unfolds. Mr. Summers, the organizer, places a mysterious black box on a stool, and each family draws a slip of paper. The story highlights tradition and its impact on the villagers’ lives.