In nineteenth-century France, life was hard for many people. Victor Hugo’s famous book tells the story of Jean Valjean, who spends 19 years in prison for stealing bread. When Valjean leaves prison he starts a business and tries to become a better man, but Javert the policeman will do anything to stop him. (Contains adult
Harold Fry lives a quiet, ordinary life in England. But when he learns that his old friend Queenie Hennessey is dying, he decides to post her a letter to her home 500 miles away. As he walks to the postbox, Harold begins to think about his past and his family. He decides to keep on
Lucy Honeychurch is on holiday in Florence, when she meets the strange Mr Emerson and his son, George. Feeling frightened by George’s feelings for her, she soon leaves for Rome. But when the Emersons becomes her neighbours in England, Lucy must decide how she really wants to live her life. (Contains adult content.) With carefully
Nelson Mandela wanted freedom for black people from apartheid in South Africa. He fought hard for freedom and equality and became the first black president of South Africa. (Content warning: includes content that may be distressing.) With carefully adapted text, new illustrations, language practise activities and additional online resources, the Penguin Readers series introduces language
