Pride & Prejudice, which opens with one of the most famous sentences in English literature, tells the story of the emptyheaded Mrs. Bennet, who has only one aim: to find a good match for each of her five daughters.

Retold for younger readers, this classic 1886 novel was not Robert Louis Stevenson's first novel, but it was one that helped to make him famous in his lifetime. The spine-chilling story shows the struggle between good and evil that Dr. Jekyll faced and how, in the end, his own good nature was overpowered by the evil in himself.

Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte, was published in 1847. It tells the story of the orphan Jane Eyre, her terrible schooling and her time as a governess at brooding Thornfield Hall. Here she falls in love with its owner, Mr Rochester - and discovers his terrible secret. Essential Classics is a wonderful new series that offers a quick way into a range of exciting stories. Fast-moving and accessible, each story is a shortened, dramatically illustrated version of the classic novel, which loses none of the strength and flavour of the original.

Alexandre Dumas' classic tale, published in 1844, is retold here for younger readers. This is the story of d'Artagnan, a country boy who travels to Paris to seek his fortune and, hopefully, to join the Musketeers--the bodyguards of the King of France. He meets three musketeers called Athos, Porthos, and Aramis. Together they foil a dangerous plot against King Louis and his Queen, Anne--and against their own lives.

The Odyssey is an ancient Greek epic poem which has had enduring popularity since its creation. It recounts the return of Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, from the Trojan War. The story tells of the many trials and hardships which Odysseus endures before returning to his home country, and of the problems which he must overcome when he finally reaches home. Essential Classics is a wonderful new series that offers a quick way into a range of exciting stories. Fast-moving and accessible, each story is a shortened, dramatically illustrated version of the classic novel, which loses none of the strength and flavour of the original.

The Lost World was written by Arthur Conan Doyle in 1912 and was his first work of science fiction. It tells the story of Professor Challenger, who leads a scientific expedition to the Amazonian rainforest. The professor and his team stumble upon a lost world and get trapped there. As they struggle to escape they encounter great danger from wild animals, ape-men and even dinosaurs! This title is part of a wonderful new series that offers a quick way into a range of exciting stories. Fast-moving and accessible, each story is a shortened, dramatically illustrated version of the classic novel, which loses none of the strength and flavour of the original.

Charles Dickens' classic Christmas tale, first published in 1843, has become one of his best-known stories, and is here retold for younger readers.Ebenezer Scrooge is an old miser who lives alone in his cold house by night and torments his assistant at work by day. One evening, just before Christmas, he is visited by the ghost of his old business partner, Marley a ghost with a very important warning. Is it enough to persuade Scrooge to change his ways?"

After his father dies, Nicholas Nickleby seeks help from his uncle Ralph. But Ralph is hard-hearted and forces Nicholas to fight his own way in this world. In this comic novel by Charles Dickens, Nicholas fights against social injustices and cruelty.

A Tale of Two Cities is Dickens' tale of London and Paris leading up to, and during, the dramatic upheavals of the French Revolution. After being released from Bastille prison, Doctor Manette is reunited with his daughter, Lucie, in London. When Lucie falls in love with and marries a French emigre, terrors return to haunt the family as France suffers the convulsions of revolution. Essential Classics is a wonderful new series that offers a quick way into a range of exciting stories. Fast-moving and accessible, each story is a shortened, dramatically illustrated version of the classic novel, which loses none of the strength and flavour of the original.

Pearson English Readers bring language learning to life through the joy of reading. Well-written stories entertain us, make us think, and keep our interest page after page. Pearson English Readers offer teenage and adult learners a huge range of titles, all featuring carefully graded language to make them accessible to learners of all abilities. Through the imagination of some of the world's greatest authors, the English language comes to life in pages of our Readers. Students have the pleasure and satisfaction of reading these stories in English, and at the same time develop a broader vocabulary, greater comprehension and reading fluency, improved grammar, and greater confidence and ability to express themselves. Find out more at english.com/readers

In this retelling for younger readers, Richard Hannay is a Canadian visitor to 1930's London. After a disturbance at a music hall, he meets Annabella Smith, who is on the run from foreign agents. He takes her back to his apartment, but they are followed, and later that night Annabella is murdered. Hannay then goes on the run to break the spy ring and to prove his innocence.

Set in Victorian England, Far from the Madding Crowd tells the story of the farmer Bathsheba Everdene, her life and her relationships. It discusses the themes of love, honor and betrayal.

Tess of the d'Urbervilles, by Thomas Hardy, was published in 1891. It tells the heartaching story of Tess, a farmer's daughter, who has to make an impossible choice in pursuit of happiness.

Little Women, by Louisa M Alcott, was published in 1868 and was the first children's book in America to become a classic. It tells the story of March girls - Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, describing the ups and downs of one eventful year in their family life. Essential Classics is a wonderful new series that offers a quick way into a range of exciting stories. Fast-moving and accessible, each story is a shortened, dramatically illustrated version of the classic novel, which loses none of the strength and flavour of the original. Includes glossary and a reading quiz.

A selection of stories to support the teaching of English literary heritage and the influence, appeal and characteristics of myths and legends. The text also encourages pupils to read a wide range of styles and genres. Stories include: Persephone in Hell, Garfield and Blishen; The Fight with Grendel, Serraillier; The Princess in the Suit of Leather, Carter; The Invisible One, Leland; What are Friends For?, Dandapa; the Wicked King and His God Son, Jaffery; Whose Footprints?, McGaughrean; Deer Hunter and White Corn Maiden, Long; John Barlecorn, Burns; How Coyote Stole Fire, Sherwood, Haurland; Under Ben Bulben, Paul' Poor Man's Reward, Gratti; Balder, Sherwood; The Death of Gelert, Francis; Anansi and the Mid of god, McGaughrean; Pandora's Box Horowitz; Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Morpurgo; What Icarus Saw, Francis

Retold for younger readers, Henry James' classic horror story tells the tale of a haunted house, two children, and the governess who tries to save them Published in 1898, The Turn of the Screw is his best-known horror story. A young, inexperienced governess watches Miles and Flora, the two small children who are abandoned by their uncle at his grand country house. When the governess senses an intense evil within the house, she becomes obsessed that ghosts are trying to harm the children. She sees the figure of an unknown man on the tower and his face at the window. It is Peter Quint, the master's dissolute valet, and he has come for little Miles. But Peter Quint is dead. This retelling has been shortened and illustrated for younger readers.

The War of the Worlds was written by H. G. Wells in 1898. The story tells of large metal cylinders that fall to earth, signaling the beginning of a Martian invasion. The Martians gradually take over London and the surrounding area, causing death and destruction, and it seems that no one can stop them. Offering a quick way into a classic novel, this shortened, accessible edition includes a glossary in back.

Pearson English Readers bring language learning to life through the joy of reading. Well-written stories entertain us, make us think, and keep our interest page after page. Pearson English Readers offer teenage and adult learners a huge range of titles, all featuring carefully graded language to make them accessible to learners of all abilities. Through the imagination of some of the world's greatest authors, the English language comes to life in pages of our Readers. Students have the pleasure and satisfaction of reading these stories in English, and at the same time develop a broader vocabulary, greater comprehension and reading fluency, improved grammar, and greater confidence and ability to express themselves. Find out more at english.com/readers

Robert Lewis Stevenson's classic story of a young orphan's adventures involving kidnapping, shipwreck, murder, and pursuit, retold for younger readersKidnapped is set in Scotland in 1751. It tells the story of David Balfour, a newly-orphaned young boy who is cheated out of his inheritance by his uncle and kidnapped. Amid the conflict between the Jacobites and supporters of King George II, David is falsely accused of murder and must flee for his life. Stevenson's classic adventure story is as compelling now as when it was first published in 1886. This retelling has been shortened and illustrated for younger readers.

A classic science fiction adventure about three men who are taken captive by the evil genius Captain Nemo, retold for younger readers

First published more than a century ago, Jules Verne's science fiction adventure tells the story of a scientist, Arronox, who joins an expedition to find and destroy a mysterious sea monster who is attaching shipping. Instead, he finds himself the prisoner of the proud and ruthless Captain Nemo, captain of the amazing submarine "The Nautilus."