The Detective Club (ESL/EFL Version with Audio)


Book Description

This is Book 9, Collection I, of the Million-Word Reading Project (MWRP) readers. It is suitable for learners with a basic vocabulary of 1,500 words. Million-Word Reading Project (MWRP) is a reading project for ESL/EFL learners at the elementary level (with a basic vocabulary of 1,500 words). In two years, for about fifteen minutes each day, an ESL/EFL learner can read one million words, and reach the upper-intermediate level, gaining a vocabulary of about 3,500 words and a large number of expressions. Text Information Readability | 85.3 Total word count | 31945 Words beyond 1500 | 1802 Unknown word percentage (%) | 5.64 Unknown headword occurrence | 4.53 Unknown words that occur 5 times or more | 76 Unknown words that occur 2 times or more | 208 Synopsis Three girls and two boys who live in Tenth Street have formed the Tenth Street Reading Circle. They read detective mystery stories together. One day, Betty Bliss suggests forming a detective club. They will call themselves Tenth Street Yard, after the London Scotland Yard, and Betty will be Superintendent. At first, the two boys do not think girls can do good detecting, so they laugh at them and refuse to join the club. But after they have solved several cases successfully, the boys begin to admire the girls and want to join the club. After that, they succeed in solving a number of cases. The original stories are written by Ellis Parker Butler (1869-1937), famous American humorist, author of more than 30 books and more than 2,000 stories and essays.




The Young Adventurer (ESL/EFL Version with Audio)


Book Description

This is Book 4, Collection III, of the Million-Word Reading Project (MWRP) readers. It is suitable for learners with a basic vocabulary of 1,500 words. Million-Word Reading Project (MWRP) is a reading project for ESL/EFL learners at the elementary level (with a basic vocabulary of 1,500 words). In two years, for about fifteen minutes each day, an ESL/EFL learner can read one million words, and reach the upper-intermediate level, gaining a vocabulary of about 3,500 words and a large number of expressions. Text Information Readability | 82.9 Total word count | 21514 Words beyond 1500 | 790 Unknown word percentage (%) | 3.67 Unknown headword occurrence | 2.58 Unknown words that occur 5 times or more | 33 Unknown words that occur 2 times or more | 145 Synopsis Mark Nelson’s farm is mortgaged to Squire Hudson for two thousand dollars. The farm is not making enough money to support the family, so his son Tom shows his wish to go to California to raise money in the gold mines. Fortunately, he finds the Squire’s wallet and returns it at once. So the Squire offers to lend Tom the money to get to California, and the debt is added to the mortgage. His parents agree, and they borrow the money from Hudson. Then Tom heads for Pittsburgh. On the train, Tom meets a young man who calls himself Milton Graham. They stay in the same room in a hotel in Pittsburgh that evening. When Tom wakes up at night, he finds Milton standing with his back turned to him, searching his pockets…. This book is rewritten from “The Young Adventurer, Or, Tom’s Trip Across The Plains” by Horatio Alger, Jr. (1832 – 1899), a 19th-century American author, most famous for his novels about the adventures of poor boys who succeed through hard work.




The Little Prince (ESL/EFL Version with Audio)


Book Description

This is Book 6, Collection III, of the Million-Word Reading Project (MWRP) readers. It is suitable for learners with a basic vocabulary of 1,500 words. Million-Word Reading Project (MWRP) is a reading project for ESL/EFL learners at the elementary level (with a basic vocabulary of 1,500 words). In two years, for about fifteen minutes each day, an ESL/EFL learner can read one million words, and reach the upper-intermediate level, gaining a vocabulary of about 3,500 words and a large number of expressions. Text Information Readability | 82.6 Total word count | 16260 Words beyond 1500 | 1013 Unknown word percentage (%) | 6.23 Unknown headword occurrence | 2.98 Unknown words that occur 5 times or more | 40 Unknown words that occur 2 times or more | 151 Synopsis The narrator, an airplane pilot, crashes in the Sahara desert. His plane is badly damaged and he has very little food or water. At this time, the little prince comes to him. He is a very serious little boy who asks the narrator to draw him a sheep. The narrator agrees, and the two become friends. The pilot learns that the little prince comes from a small planet. The little prince passes by neighboring asteroids and meets various people, a king, a vain man, a drunkard, a businessman, a lamplighter, a geographer and so on. After staying on the earth for a year, the little prince decides to return to his planet, so he asks the poisonous snake for help…. This book is rewritten from “Little Prince” by the French author Antoine de Saint Exupéry (1900-1944). It is the third most-translated book in the world and one of the best-selling books ever published.




The Secret Garden (ESL/EFL Version with Audio)


Book Description

This is Book 5, Collection I, of the Million-Word Reading Project (MWRP) readers. It is suitable for learners with a basic vocabulary of 1,500 words. Million-Word Reading Project (MWRP) is a reading project for ESL/EFL learners at the elementary level (with a basic vocabulary of 1,500 words). In two years, for about fifteen minutes each day, an ESL/EFL learner can read one million words, and reach the upper-intermediate level, gaining a vocabulary of about 3,500 words and a large number of expressions. Text Information Readability | 86.6 Total word count | 22614 Words beyond 1500 | 593 Unknown word percentage (%) | 2.62 Unknown headword occurrence | 3.2 Unknown words that occur 5 times or more | 31 Unknown words that occur 2 times or more | 93 Synopsis Mary Lennox is a nine-year-old British girl. She grows up in India and is spoilt and selfish. Her parents die and she becomes an orphan, so she is sent to Misselthwaite Manor to live with her uncle. There is a secret garden at the manor, which has been locked up for 10 years. And with the help of “magic”, Mary finds the key to the garden door that has been buried in the earth. With the help of kind Dickon, Mary begins secretly working in the garden to bring its many roses back to life. Mary also discovers the secret of the Manor one night: her uncle has a son. The boy, Colin, is even more spoiled than Mary. He’s weak and is not allowed to go out. What is the secret about the garden? What other miracles can “magic” bring about? This book is rewritten from “The Secret Garden” by Frances H. Burnett (1849-1924). It was first published in 1911. It is now one of Burnett’s most popular novels, and is considered to be a classic of English children’s literature. Several stage and film adaptations have been produced.




The Jungle Book (ESL/EFL Version with Audio)


Book Description

This is Book 2, Collection II, of the Million-Word Reading Project (MWRP) readers. It is suitable for learners with a basic vocabulary of 1,500 words. Million-Word Reading Project (MWRP) is a reading project for ESL/EFL learners at the elementary level (with a basic vocabulary of 1,500 words). In two years, for about fifteen minutes each day, an ESL/EFL learner can read one million words, and reach the upper-intermediate level, gaining a vocabulary of about 3,500 words and a large number of expressions. Text Information Readability | 84.2 Total word count | 11138 Words beyond 1500 | 579 Unknown word percentage (%) | 5.2 Unknown headword occurrence | 3.45 Unknown words that occur 5 times or more | 25 Unknown words that occur 2 times or more | 65 Synopsis When Mowgli is a man-cub, Shere Khan, a tiger, wants to catch him and eat him. He is saved by a wolf and becomes a member of the wolf family. Mowgli learns how to live in the jungle with the help of all of his animal family, but he still watches the people in the nearby village who are living normal human lives. Can Mowgli return to human civilization? The original book was written by Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936), an English writer and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. The book was published in 1894 and has been made into films several times.




The Thirty-Nine Steps (ESL/EFL Version with Audio)


Book Description

This is Book 8, Collection II, of the Million-Word Reading Project (MWRP) readers. It is suitable for learners with a basic vocabulary of 1,500 words. Million-Word Reading Project (MWRP) is a reading project for ESL/EFL learners at the elementary level (with a basic vocabulary of 1,500 words). In two years, for about fifteen minutes each day, an ESL/EFL learner can read one million words, and reach the upper-intermediate level, gaining a vocabulary of about 3,500 words and a large number of expressions. Text Information Readability | 85.4 Total word count | 26104 Words beyond 1500 | 847 Unknown word percentage (%) | 3.24 Unknown headword occurrence | 2.44 Unknown words that occur 5 times or more | 40 Unknown words that occur 2 times or more | 151 Synopsis The year is 1914 and Europe is close to the First World War. Mining Engineer Richard Hannay is staying in London and is finding life in the city boring. One night, he is surprised to find Franklin Scudder at his door. Scudder is a spy and has information about a plan by German spies to steal the British plans for war. Hannay later finds Scudder killed in his flat and decides he must carry on Scudder’s work. With both German spies and the police after, Hannay must solve the riddle of the thirty-nine steps alone…. This book is rewritten from the novel “The Thirty-Nine Steps” by British writer John Buchan (1875-1940), which has been made into films several times.




The Young Treasure Hunter (ESL/EFL Version with Audio)


Book Description

This is Book 6, Collection I, of the Million-Word Reading Project (MWRP) readers. It is suitable for learners with a basic vocabulary of 1,500 words. Million-Word Reading Project (MWRP) is a reading project for ESL/EFL learners at the elementary level (with a basic vocabulary of 1,500 words). In two years, for about fifteen minutes each day, an ESL/EFL learner can read one million words, and reach the upper-intermediate level, gaining a vocabulary of about 3,500 words and a large number of expressions. Text Information Readability | 87.6 Total word count | 23234 Words beyond 1500 | 1034 Unknown word percentage (%) | 4.45 Unknown headword occurrence | 2.98 Unknown words that occur 5 times or more | 53 Unknown words that occur 2 times or more | 174 Synopsis Norman Stanley, Fred’s father, is injured in a mining accident. He cannot do hard work to support the family. As the only child of the family, Fred, 17 years old, has to quit school to help earn a living for the family. While trying to look for a job, Fred learns from one of his father’s friends that a gold miner has buried a lot of gold in a cave in Alaska. Many people have tried to find the gold, but have all failed. Fred decides to try his luck. With the permission of the widow of that gold miner, Fred receives a copy of the map for the gold and sets out to look for the treasure with his father’s friend, Mr. Baxter and his son Jerry. Can they find the treasure? If they can find it, can they bring it safely home? This book is rewritten from “The Young Treasure Hunter: Or Fred Stanley's Trip To Alaska” by Frank V. Webster.




The Call of the Wild (ESL/EFL Version with Audio


Book Description

This is Book 1, Collection II, of the Million-Word Reading Project (MWRP) readers. It is suitable for learners with a basic vocabulary of 1,500 words. Million-Word Reading Project (MWRP) is a reading project for ESL/EFL learners at the elementary level (with a basic vocabulary of 1,500 words). In two years, for about fifteen minutes each day, an ESL/EFL learner can read one million words, and reach the upper-intermediate level, gaining a vocabulary of about 3,500 words and a large number of expressions. Text Information Readability | 86.7 Total word count | 11362 Words beyond 1500 | 430 Unknown word percentage (%) | 3.78 Unknown headword occurrence | 2.59 Unknown words that occur 5 times or more | 15 Unknown words that occur 2 times or more | 64 Synopsis Buck, a powerful dog, is living a good life in California when he is stolen and sold to dog traders. They teach Buck to obey by beating him and send him to Alaska to pull sleds. Life is very hard for Buck. He pulls a heavy sled through miles and miles of frozen ice with little or nothing to eat. He begins to get used to life as a sled dog and learn from the other dogs. He learns to fight, hunt for food, and sleep beneath the snow on winter nights. At the same time, he becomes the enemy of the lead dog in the team. He wants to be the lead dog himself. Can he succeed? The original book was written by Jack London (1876-1916). It was published in 1900 and has been made into several films.




Five on a Treasure Island (ESL/EFL Version with Audio)


Book Description

This is Book 1, Collection IV, of the Million-Word Reading Project (MWRP) readers. It is suitable for learners with a basic vocabulary of 1,500 words. Million-Word Reading Project (MWRP) is a reading project for ESL/EFL learners at the elementary level (with a basic vocabulary of 1,500 words). In two years, for about fifteen minutes each day, an ESL/EFL learner can read one million words, and reach the upper-intermediate level, gaining a vocabulary of about 3,500 words and a large number of expressions. Text Information Readability | 88.3 Total word count | 34720 Words beyond 1500 | 1673 Unknown word percentage (%) | 4.82 Unknown headword occurrence | 4.34 Unknown words that occur 5 times or more | 89 Unknown words that occur 2 times or more | 228 Synopsis This book is rewritten from Book 1 of THE FAMOUS FIVE - Enid Blyton’s most popular adventure series. The “Famous Five” are Georgina (preferred name George) and her dog, Timmy, with her three cousins, Julian, Dick and Anne. Julian, Dick and Anne are spending their holidays with their tomboy cousin George and her dog, Timmy. One day, George takes them to explore nearby Kirrin Island, with its rocky little coast and old ruined castle on the top. On the island, they make an exciting discovery, which leads them deep into the dungeons of Kirrin Castle on a dangerous adventure. What will they find there? Enid Blyton (1897 - 1968) is one of the world’s best-loved children’s authors. Her books have been translated into over 90 languages and are still enjoyed by children and adults all over the world.




The Naughtiest Girl in the School (ESL/EFL Version with Audio)


Book Description

This is Book 3, Collection II, of the Million-Word Reading Project (MWRP) readers. It is suitable for learners with a basic vocabulary of 1,500 words. Million-Word Reading Project (MWRP) is a reading project for ESL/EFL learners at the elementary level (with a basic vocabulary of 1,500 words). In two years, for about fifteen minutes each day, an ESL/EFL learner can read one million words, and reach the upper-intermediate level, gaining a vocabulary of about 3,500 words and a large number of expressions. Text Information Readability | 81.1 Total word count | 36078 Words beyond 1500 | 1243 Unknown word percentage (%) | 3.45 Unknown headword occurrence | 3.93 Unknown words that occur 5 times or more | 77 Unknown words that occur 2 times or more | 188 Synopsis Elizabeth Allen is a spoiled and naughty child. As her parents are going away for a year, they decide to send her to Whyteleafe School, where the children make their own rules and punish bad behaviour. Elizabeth, who has never been to school before, is angry at being sent to school. She makes up her mind to be very naughty so that they may send her back home as soon as possible. But Elizabeth soon finds out that being bad isn’t as simple as it seems... The original book was written by Enid Blyton(1897~1968). It was published in 1940. Enid Blyton is one of the world’s best-loved children’s authors. Her books have been translated into over 90 languages and are still enjoyed all over the world.