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Must-read sci-fi classics

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Children's reading lists

9 books for fans of pirate stories

Journey to the Centre of the Earth

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 epic edition of Journey to the Centre of the Earth. 
 
An ancient book is opened by the eccentric Professor Lidenbrock and his life – and the life of his nephew Axel – is changed for ever. An old piece of paper has tumbled from the book, a priceless parchment that will lead them on a terrifying journey to find what lies at the centre of the Earth.

Jules Verne was born in France in 1828 and died in 1905. His collaboration with the publisher Pierre-Jules Hetzel was wildly successful, producing many brilliant novels in the burgeoning genre of science fiction: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Journey to the Centre of the Earth and Around the World in 80 Days, among others. Verne is the second most translated author in the world, after Agatha Christie and before Shakespeare.

Rediscover the Puffin Classics collection and bring the best-loved classics to a new generation - including this epic edition of Journey to the Centre of the Earth. 
 
An ancient book is opened by the eccentric Professor Lidenbrock and his life – and the life of his nephew Axel – is changed for ever. An old piece of paper has tumbled from the book, a priceless parchment that will lead them on a terrifying journey to find what lies at the centre of the Earth.

Around the World in Eighty Days

Rediscover the Puffin Classics collection and bring the best-loved classics to a new generation - including this epic edition of Around the World in Eighty Days. 
 One night, Phileas Fogg bets his companions that he can travel across the world in just eighty days, and the very next day he sets out from the port of Dover with his servant Passeportout to achieve his aim. Passing through exotic lands and dangerous places, they seize whatever transportation is at hand - whether train or elephant - always racing against the clock. Despite countless surprises along the way and a last-minute setback, that could make all the difference, will Phileas win his bet?

Abridged Edition

Penguin Readers Starter Level: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (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. 
 
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. 
 
There is a new animal in the sea, and it is killing people . . . "We can find it!" says Captain Farragut. But what do they find? And can they stop it?

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. 
 
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, a Starter level Reader, is A1 in the CEFR framework. Starter level is ideal for readers who are learning English for the first time. Short sentences contain a maximum of two clauses, using the present simple and continuous tenses, possessives, regular and irregular verbs, and simple adjectives. Illustrations support the text throughout, and many titles at this level are graphic novels. 
 
There is a new animal in the sea, and it is killing people . . . "We can find it!" says Captain Farragut. But what do they find? And can they stop it?

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Jules Verne's most famous adventure, now in a beautiful clothbound edition 
 
One night in the reform club, Phileas Fogg bets his companions that he can travel across the globe in just eighty days. Breaking the well-established routine of his daily life, he immediately sets off for Dover with his astonished valet Passepartout. Passing through exotic lands and dangerous locations, they seize whatever transportation is at hand - whether train or elephant - overcoming set-backs and always racing against the clock.

One night in the reform club, Phileas Fogg bets his companions that he can travel across the globe in just eighty days.  Breaking the well-established routine of his daily life, he immediately sets off for Dover with his astonished valet Passepartout.  Passing through exotic lands and dangerous locations, they seize whatever transportation is at hand - whether train or elephant - overcoming set-backs and always racing against the clock.

Two BBC Radio 4 full-cast dramatisations

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea & The Mysterious Island

Jules Verne's two novels featuring Captain Nemo (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and The Mysterious Island), condensed down to two thrilling hours

Jules Verne's two novels featuring Captain Nemo (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and The Mysterious Island), condensed down to two thrilling hours. 
 
In 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Marine scientist Professor Aronnax and his stowaway daughter Connie join whaler Ned Land aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln to hunt an aggressive sea monster, believed to be a giant narwhale. When they engage the monster, they find to their astonish&shy;ment it's an electrically-powered submarine, the Nautilus, techno&shy;logically far superior to any vessel known. They are rescued by the ship's enigmatic captain, Nemo... 
 
In The Mysterious Island, military engineer Cyrus Smith, his freed slave Neb, and reporter Grace Spilett - flee the besieged city of Richmond in a balloon. Their vessel is caught in a vast storm and blown thousands of miles until it crashes on a remote Pacific island. But they soon realise that they are not alone on the island... 
 
Cast of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea 
Captain Nemo - Sagar Arya 
Professor Pierre Aronnax - Neil McCaul 
Miss Connie Aronnax - Madeline Hatt 
Ned Land - David Seddon 
Captain Farragut - Philip Bretherton 
 
Cast of The Mysterious Island 
Cyrus Harding - Nathan Osgood 
Grace Spilett - Kerry Gooderson 
Neb - Tayla Kovacevic-Ebong 
Tom Ayrton - Rupert Holliday Evans 
Captain Nemo - Sagar Arya

Penguin Classics

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

'It is a ripping yarn, but it is also an eerie tale of isolation and madness ... with a compellingly Byronic central character' Guardian 
 
Combining thrilling adventure with scientific facts and a wonder at the natural world, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea is Jules Verne's most enduringly popular novel. It begins when a vast black object is spotted menacing the oceans, causing panic over the world. When Professor Aronnax joins an expedition to hunt down the creature, he and his two companions discover it is a giant submarine, the Nautilus. Captured and held prisoner on board by its captain, Nemo - unpredictable, enigmatic, exiled from humanity - they have no choice but to travel the terrifying underwater depths with him. 
 
Translated with an Introduction and Notes by David Coward

Jules Verne (Author) Jules Verne was born in France in 1828 and died in 1905. His collaboration with the publisher Pierre-Jules Hetzel was wildly successful, producing many brilliant novels in the burgeoning genre of science fiction: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Journey to the Centre of the Earth and Around the World in 80 Days, among others. Verne is the second most translated author in the world, after Agatha Christie and before Shakespeare. David Coward (Translator) David Coward is Emeritus Professor of French at the University of Leeds and has translated many books from French for Penguin Classics.

In this thrilling adventure tale, three men embark on an epic journey under the sea with the mysterious Captain Nemo aboard his submarine, the Nautilus. Over the course of their fantastical voyage, they encounter the lost city of Atlantis, the South Pole and the corals of the Red Sea, and must battle countless adversaries, both human and monstrous. This new version by acclaimed translator David Coward brings Verne's novel vividly to life for a new generation of readers.

Jules Verne

Rediscover the Puffin Classics collection and bring the best-loved classics to a new generation - including this epic edition of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. 
 
A mission to rid the seas of a monstrous creature becomes a terrifying nightmare when Professor Aronnax, Conseil and Ned Land are thrown overboard. The huge marine animal which has haunted the water is no living beast, but a spectacular manufactured vessel, and the three men find themselves the helpless prisoners of Captain Nemo. Resigned to their fate, they begin a miraculous journey on the submarine ship which can travel through waters never before explored. For the Professor, at least, this voyage is one he would not have missed for the world.

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Must-read sci-fi classics

9 books for fans of pirate stories

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