The Railway Children, E. Nesbit

The Railway Children

E. Nesbit

Level
A2
Words
58,880
Chapters
8
First published
1906
Reading time
about 7 hours
Translation
instant AI translation as you read

Read this book freeEvery sentence translated, natural audio, one-tap dictionary

Three children move to a countryside house near a railway line after their father is mysteriously taken away. They befriend an old gentleman and have various adventures while trying to solve the mystery. The simple language and heartwarming story make it ideal for beginners.

Learn English with The Railway Children

  • Suits learners around level A2: you read the original, not a simplified retelling.
  • 4,909 distinct words, each one a tap away from your personal vocabulary list.
  • Read in English, glance at the translation under any sentence you are unsure of, and listen to natural read-aloud voices to train your ear.

How it works

  1. Open the book: no installation, it reads in the browser on any device.
  2. Read a sentence in English. Its translation sits right under it, so you never lose the thread.
  3. Tap a word for its meaning and save it; listen to the chapter read aloud.

More about the method

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Questions about this book

Can I read The Railway Children in English for free?

Yes. The first chapters of The Railway Children open without an account, with the translation, audio and dictionary included. A free account unlocks the rest of the book.

How much English do I need?

The text is estimated at level A2. Because every sentence has its translation underneath, lower levels can follow along too.

Is there audio?

Yes. Each chapter can be read aloud by a natural-sounding voice while the current sentence is highlighted.