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Children's reading lists

30 best Christmas books for kids

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The best father figures in children’s literature

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Reading lists

10 times fiction changed the world

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Features

What you should read, according to your taste in ice cream

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5 London pubs with legendary literary histories

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20 novels that shaped the Victorian era

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The UK’s best literary days out for bookworms and readers

Charles Dickens Penguin Clothbound Classics

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Where to start reading Charles Dickens

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5 famous books that almost had completely different endings

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The real story behind Charles’ Dickens A Christmas Carol

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Semi-colons; or, learning to love literature’s most misunderstood punctuation

A forgotten Charles Dickens classic shows the literary workaholic at his madcap best

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An overlooked Charles Dickens novel shows the writer at his madcap best

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‘Make them laugh, cry and wait’: Charles Dickens’ best advice for writers

A Christmas Carol Penguin illustration 2019

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The 5 greatest film adaptations of ‘A Christmas Carol’

Literature's strangest real-life mysteries 

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Literature’s biggest unanswered mysteries

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Charles Dickens quotes

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens audio extract

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A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

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Quizzes

Which Charles Dickens novel should you read?

Oliver Twist

Puffin Classics: the definitive collection of timeless stories, for every child 
Rediscover the Puffin Classics collection and bring the best-loved classics to a new generation - including this charming edition of Oliver Twist. 
 
After Oliver Twist asks nasty Mr Bumble for more food, he has to flee the workhouse for the streets of London. Here he meets the Artful Dodger, who leads him to Fagin and his gang of pickpockets. When a thieving mission goes wrong, Oliver narrowly avoids prison and finds himself in the care of kind Mr Brownlow. But Fagin and the brutal Bill Sikes go in search of the young orphan, determined to drag him back . . . 
 
The classic story of a young boy who seeks his fortune on the streets of London, with an inspirational and light-hearted introduction by popular children's fantasy writer, Garth Nix.

Charles Dickens was born in 1812. When he was twelve, his father was sent to a debtor's prison and he was sent to work; the experiences from this time always haunted him. After a brief career as a reporter Dickens began writing novels. Published in serial form, his work grew rapidly in popularity, beginning with The Pickwick Papers. 
Today, Charles Dickens is one of the most recognized celebrities of English literature. His many books include Oliver Twist, Great Expectations and A Christmas Carol.

Rediscover the Puffin Classics collection and bring the best-loved classics to a new generation - including this charming edition of Oliver Twist. 
 
After Oliver Twist asks nasty Mr Bumble for more food, he has to flee the workhouse for the streets of London. Here he meets the Artful Dodger, who leads him to Fagin and his gang of pickpockets. When a thieving mission goes wrong, Oliver narrowly avoids prison and finds himself in the care of kind Mr Brownlow. But Fagin and the brutal Bill Sikes go in search of the young orphan, determined to drag him back . . . 
 
The classic story of a young boy who seeks his fortune on the streets of London, with an inspirational and light-hearted introduction by popular children's fantasy writer, Garth Nix.

A Tale of Two Cities

Puffin Classics: the definitive collection of timeless stories, for every child 
 
Rediscover the Puffin Classics collection and bring the best-loved classics to a new generation - including this bold edition of A Tale of Two Cities. 
 
Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton are alike in appearance, different in character and in love with the same woman. In the midst of the French Revolution, Darnay, who has fled to London to escape the cruelty of the French nobility, must return to Paris to rescue his servant from death. But he endangers his own life and is captured. Carton may be able to help, but will his resemblance be enough to save Darnay's life?

Rediscover the Puffin Classics collection and bring the best-loved classics to a new generation - including this bold edition of A Tale of Two Cities. 
 
Charles Darnay and Sydney Carton are alike in appearance, different in character and in love with the same woman. In the midst of the French Revolution, Darnay, who has fled to London to escape the cruelty of the French nobility, must return to Paris to rescue his servant from death. But he endangers his own life and is captured. Carton may be able to help, but will his resemblance be enough to save Darnay's life?

A Christmas Carol

Puffin Classics: the definitive collection of timeless stories, for every child 
Rediscover the Puffin Classics collection and bring the best-loved classics to a new generation - including this charming edition A Christmas Carol complete with a bold new cover. 
 
Ebenezer Scrooge was a mean, miserable, bitter old man, until one Christmas Eve changed everything. . .Guided by three ghosts, Scrooge visits his past, present, and what could be to come should he not learn the true meaning behind Christmas. 
 
Will Scrooge learn to love Christmas and everyone around him?

Rediscover the Puffin Classics collection and bring the best-loved classics to a new generation - including this charming edition A Christmas Carol complete with a bold new cover. 
 
Ebenezer Scrooge was a mean, miserable, bitter old man, until one Christmas Eve changed everything. . .Guided by three ghosts, Scrooge visits his past, present, and what could be to come should he not learn the true meaning behind Christmas. 
 Will Scrooge learn to love Christmas and everyone around him?

Great Expectations

Puffin Classics: the definitive collection of timeless stories, for every child 
Rediscover the Puffin Classics collection and bring the best-loved classics to a new generation - including this charming edition of Great Expectations. 
 
As a small boy at Joe Gargery's forge, Pip meets two people who will affect his whole life - an escaped convict he is forced to help, and the eccentric Miss Haversham, whose beautiful, cold-hearted ward Estella young Pip adores. But when a secret benefactor pays for him to go to London to become a gentleman, Pip never dreams he will meet the dreadful Magwitch again, nor just how wrong his expectations are. . .

The Puffin Classics series is a perfect marriage of the old and the new. Enjoy some of the best books from the past and find out why and how they inspired some of the best writers of the present

Charles Dickens (1812-70) is one of the most recognized celebrities of English literature. His imagination, wit, mastery of the language and huge creative output single him out as one of the few people who genuinely deserve to be called genius. He had a poverty-stricken childhood and was determined to improve himself. By his early twenties he found a job as a parliamentary reporter and in his spare time wrote sketches of London life for newspapers and magazines. The publication of Pickwick Papers (1836) brought him the fame and fortune he craved. He wrote many other famous books including Oliver Twist and A Tale of Two Cities.

Rediscover the Puffin Classics collection and bring the best-loved classics to a new generation - including this charming edition of Great Expectations. 
 
As a small boy at Joe Gargery's forge, Pip meets two people who will affect his whole life - an escaped convict he is forced to help, and the eccentric Miss Haversham, whose beautiful, cold-hearted ward Estella young Pip adores. But when a secret benefactor pays for him to go to London to become a gentleman, Pip never dreams he will meet the dreadful Magwitch again, nor just how wrong his expectations are. . .

David Copperfield

175th Anniversary Edition

Discover our collectable Puffin Clothbound Classic edition of David Copperfield 
 
Puffin Clothbound Classics are stunning collectable gift editions of some of the best-loved classics in the world - including this irresistible 175th anniversary edition of David Copperfield. 
 
Of all my books, I like this the best - Charles Dickens 
 
Full of tragedy and comedy in equal measure and based in part on the author's own life, David Copperfield remains one of the most enduring and popular of Dickens' novels. 
 
Among the memorable cast of characters he encounters along the way are his brutal stepfather, Mr Murdstone; bubbly Nurse Peggotty; his brilliant, but unworthy schoolmate Steerforth, his eccentric aunt, Betsy Trotwood, the scheming clerk Uriah Heep, the enchanting Dora and the magnificent Mr Macawber - a character much like Dickens' own father. 
 
Collect our Puffin Clothbound Classics: 
 9780241444313 The Little Prince 
 9780241663554 The Jungle Book 
 9780241568811 Charlotte's Web 
 9780241688243 Little Women 
 9780241688250 Peter Pan 
 9780241688267 The Railway Children 
 9780241688236 Chinese Cinderella 
 9780241411216 Treasure Island 
 9780241411209 The Wizard of Oz 
 9780241655702 Watership Down 
 9780241663578 The Worst Witch 
 9780241663547 David Copperfield 
 9780241663561 The Neverending Story 
 9780241623909 Stig of the Dump 
 9780241623916 The Dark is Rising 
 9780241411162 The Secret Garden 
 9780241411148 Black Beauty 
 9780241411155 Dracula 
 9780241425121 Frankenstein 
 9780241425138 Wuthering Heights 
 9780241425114 Tales from Shakespeare 
 9780241425107 Tales of the Greek Heroes 
 9780241411193 A Christmas Carol 
 9780241621196 Grimms' Fairy Tales 
 9780241425145 Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy Tales

Puffin Clothbound Classics are stunning collectable hardback editions of some of the best-loved classics in the world - including this irresistible 175th anniversary edition of David Copperfield. 
 
Of all my books, I like this the best - Charles Dickens 
 
Full of tragedy and comedy in equal measure and based in part on the author's own life, David Copperfield remains one of the most enduring and popular of Dickens' novels. 
 
Among the memorable cast of characters he encounters along the way are his brutal stepfather, Mr Murdstone; bubbly Nurse Peggotty; his brilliant, but unworthy schoolmate Steerforth, his eccentric aunt, Betsy Trotwood, the scheming clerk Uriah Heep, the enchanting Dora and the magnificent Mr Macawber - a character much like Dickens' own father.

Abridged Edition

Penguin Readers Level 6: A Tale of Two Cities (ELT Graded Reader)

Penguin Readers is an ELT graded reader series for learners of English as a foreign language. With carefully adapted text, new illustrations and language learning exercises, the print edition also includes instructions to access supporting material online. 
 
Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction, introducing language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. 
 
The eight levels of Penguin Readers follow the Common European Framework of Reference for language learning (CEFR). Exercises at the back of each Reader help language learners to practise grammar, vocabulary, and key exam skills. Before, during and after-reading questions test readers' story comprehension and develop vocabulary. 
 
A Tale of Two Cities, a Level 6 Reader, is B1+ in the CEFR framework. The longer text is made up of sentences with up to four clauses, introducing future continuous, reported questions, third conditional, was going to and ellipsis. A small number of illustrations support the text. 
 
After eighteen years in the Bastille prison, Dr Manette finally leaves France and goes to live with his daughter, Lucie, in England. There, two very different men fall in love with Lucie. Lucie finds happiness, but in France a storm is coming. Soon, Lucie and her family must face the French Revolution, and one man must give Lucie everything he has. 
 
Visit the Penguin Readers website 
Exclusively with the print edition, readers can unlock online resources including a digital book, audio edition, lesson plans and answer keys.

With carefully adapted text, new illustrations, language practise activities and additional online resources, the Penguin Readers series introduces language learners to bestselling authors and compelling content. Titles include popular classics, exciting contemporary fiction, and thought-provoking non-fiction. 
 
A Tale of Two Cities, a Level 6 Reader, is B1+ in the CEFR framework. The longer text is made up of sentences with up to four clauses, introducing future continuous, reported questions, third conditional, was going to and ellipsis. A small number of illustrations support the text. 
 
After eighteen years in the Bastille prison, Dr Manette finally leaves France and goes to live with his daughter, Lucie, in England. There, two very different men fall in love with Lucie. Lucie finds happiness, but in France a storm is coming. Soon, Lucie and her family must face the French Revolution, and one man must give Lucie everything he has.

Charles Dickens

'Hold your noise! Keep still, you little devil, or I'll cut your throat!' 
 
Little orphan Pip scarcely imagines how a terrifying encounter with a convict on the lonely marshes will later transform his life. Pip is more troubled by his visits to strange old Miss Havisham - her decaying wedding dress and the house full of memories - and the beautiful girl Estella who makes him ashamed of his country manners and coarse hands. A blacksmith's apprentice could never hope to win Estella, but then, young Pip's future might not turn out quite as expected... 
 
Includes exclusive material: In ‘The Backstory’ you can learn about Victorian convicts and the alternative ending to Great Expectations! 
 
Vintage Children’s Classics is a twenty-first century classics list aimed at 8-12 year olds and the adults in their lives. Discover timeless favourites from The Jungle Book and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to modern classics such as The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

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This exclusive boxed set of clothbound editions features six of Charles Dickens' classics. Shop the collection now on Penguin Shop.

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Photo of the books in our Clothbound Classics boxed set of Charles Dickens' major works, available on the Penguin Shop

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It's here! Browse the 2024 Penguin Christmas gift guide