Lit2Go

Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level 4

Readability levels for passages on Lit2Go are reported as Flesch-Kincaid grade levels which are roughly equivalent to U.S. grade levels.

Books

4.0

The Secret Garden

by Frances Hodgson Burnett

The Secret Garden (1909) is one of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s most popular novels. The book tells the story of Mary Lennox, a spoiled, contrary, solitary child raised in India but sent to live in her uncle’s manor in Yorkshire after her parents' death. She is left to herself by her uncle, Mr. Craven, who travels often to escape the memory of his deceased wife. The only person who has time for Mary is her chambermaid, Martha. It is Martha who tells Mary about Mrs. Craven's walled garden, which has been closed and locked since her death. Mary becomes intrigued by the prospect of the forgotten garden, and her quest to find out the garden's secrets leads her to discover other secrets hidden in the manor. These discoveries combined with the unlikely friendships she makes along the way help Mary come out of her shell and find new fascination with the world around her.

4.2

Black Beauty

by Anna Sewell

Black Beauty is a novel told in the first person (or "first horse") as an autobiographical memoir told by a highbred horse named Black Beauty-beginning with his carefree days as a colt on an English farm, to his difficult life pulling cabs in London, to his happy retirement in the country.

The Story of Doctor Dolittle

by Hugh Lofting

The Story of Doctor Dolittle is the first of his Doctor Dolittle books, a series of children's novels about a man who learns to talk to animals and becomes their champion around the world.

The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle

by Hugh Lofting

The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle was the second of Hugh Lofting's Doctor Dolittle books to be published, coming out in 1922. It is nearly four times longer than its predecessor and the writing style is pitched at a more mature audience. The scope of the novel is vast; it is divided into six parts and the illustrations are also more sophisticated. It won the Newbery Medal for 1923.

4.5

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

by Mark Twain

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is set in the 1840's in the fictitious town of St. Petersburg, Missouri, where Tom lives with his deceased mother's sister, Aunt Polly, and his half-brother, Sid. After Tom plays hooky from school, he is made to whitewash Aunt Polly's fence as punishment, but persuades his friends to do it for him.

Tom's real trouble begins when he and Huck Finn witness a murder committed by Injun Joe. They swear to never tell, and the wrong man, Muff Potter, is accused of the crime. Tom, Huck, and a friend run away to be pirates, but become aware that the whole town is searching for their bodies. Each of the boys make an appearance at their own funerals, where they are greeted with open arms. As Muff Potter's trial begins, Tom is overcome with guilt and testifies against Injun Joe, who quickly flees the courtroom.

Later, on a class field trip to a cave, Tom and his love interest, Becky Thatcher, get lost. As they run out of food and candles searching for a way out, Tom and Becky come upon Injun Joe, who is using the cave as a hideout. Tom finds a way out just as the search party is giving up. The town rejoices and Judge Thatcher, Becky's father, has the cave sealed, unknowingly trapping Injun Joe inside where he starves to death.

4.8

Passages

4.0

“The Flies and the Honeypot”

Aesop's Fables

by Aesop

Flies are drawn to spilled honey. After over-eating they find they cannot pull their feet out of the honey and fly away. When you are greedy, you may not know when you have enough and pay a very high price.

“The Herdsman and the Lost Bull”

Aesop's Fables

by Aesop

A herdsman loses a calf. He bargains with the deities. He will sacrifice a lamb if they will help him find the calf. Next he discovers a lion eating his calf and adds a full-grow bull to the sacrifice just to escape the lion with his own life.

“The Miser and His Gold”

Aesop's Fables

by Aesop

Once a Miser hid his gold at the foot of a tree. Every week he would dig it up and delight in how much was there. A robber noticed, dug up the gold, and took it away. When the Miser discovered his gold was gone a neighbor told him to come look at the hole in the ground as it would do just as much good as looking at the gold.

Cannetella

The Grey Fairy Book

by Andrew Lang

Cannetella doesn’t wish to be married, but agrees to do so if her father finds a man to fit her outrageous demands. Her insistence leads her to trouble, when her husband treats her poorly. She manages an escape, but her husband pursues her, using magic to try to capture her once more.

The Daughter of Buk Ettemsuch

The Grey Fairy Book

by Andrew Lang

One of seven daughters is the only to obey her father’s orders. She is left alive to escape, but finds herself living as the daughter of an ogre. A prince asks for her hand, but the ogre forbids her to speak unless he addresses her with the special words.

A Fairy’s Blunder

The Grey Fairy Book

by Andrew Lang

A thoughtless fairy enchants a fountain without considering the effects of the enchantment. Beyond destroying the town, the mistake takes effect against the young wards of another fairy. The fairies try to discover a way to undo the mistake and reunite the young lovers.

Long, Broad, and Quickeye

The Grey Fairy Book

by Andrew Lang

A young prince is offered whatever he likes best, but to his father’s dismay, he chooses a princess who is trapped by an enchantment. On his way to reach her he meets with three men, each with a special skill. Together the four men are able to work together against the magician’s spell.

The Ogre

The Grey Fairy Book

by Andrew Lang

A simple boy is driven into the world by his mother’s treatment of him. He meets with an ogre, who treats him well and assists him. The ogre allows him to visit his family, but his ignorance leads him into trouble twice. The third visit brings more wisdom, and the rewards that come with his new knowledge.

The Twin Brothers

The Grey Fairy Book

by Andrew Lang

A fisherman and his wife wish for sons. An old woman tells the wife how to get the sons she wishes for. When the twins grow, they wish to go into the world. The first brother goes on adventures, until the signs of distress bring his brother to his aid.

The Unlooked-For Prince

The Grey Fairy Book

by Andrew Lang

A king who has not been able to have children makes a promise, only to find that he has given up his only child. The prince determines to find a way out of the promise, and completes several tasks with the help of the princess.

Jackal or Tiger?

The Olive Fairy Book

by Andrew Lang

A king and his wife make a bet, but the result is unfair to the queen, who is banished to the forest. There a farmer takes her in and she raises her son until he is eighteen. He leaves in search of adventure, only to find himself at his father’s castle. He is given seemingly impossible tasks, which he completes with the help of a fairy. Finally, the king is taught the error of his ways.

The Prince and the Princess in the Forest

The Olive Fairy Book

by Traditional

A prince and his mother set off into the world after the king’s death. The son is brave and clever, while his mother is a coward. She tricks him to help a robber in order to save her own life. The prince rescues a princess, and in turn is rescued by the princess. They are wed, and would live happily, but curiosity leads them both into trouble once more.The prince must find his way back to the princess and avenge himself against the robber and the wrongs committed by his mother.

The Satin Surgeon

The Olive Fairy Book

by Traditional

A king has two daughters, though one is ugly and cruel and the other beautiful and kind. A prince is supposed to be promised to the former, but falls in love with the latter. The bitter sister and the king send away the younger princess to a tower where she is trapped. The prince tries to see his princess, but is harmed by the plans of the elder sister.The princess escapes her tower and sets off to save the prince she loves.

The Silent Princess

The Olive Fairy Book

by Traditional

A spoiled young boy torments an old woman, who curses him to fall in love with the silent princess. He decides he must go into the world and seek this princess, or die. He comes to learn that many others have lost their lives trying to get the silent princess to speak. Luckily, he befriends a nightingale who helps him in his challenges.

The Snake Prince

The Olive Fairy Book

by Traditional

An old woman who has nothing finds a snake in her water jar, and wishes for death. Instead, she discovers a necklace, which earns her wealth. The king buys the necklace, but finds it replaced with the son he so desires.The prince and princess are wed, but she wishes to know the secret of the prince. He warns her of the consequences, which come to pass when he reveals the secret. The princess must work to break the enchantment to get back her prince.

The Story of Zoulvisia

The Olive Fairy Book

by Traditional

Many are enchanted by the mountains but none leave alive. A family loses their seven sons to the mountain until the youngest sets out to try to do what his brothers could not. He manages to break the enchantment, and meets Zoulvisia. Out of kindness, he brings an old woman back to the palace, despite the misgivings of others. The woman is a witch, and Zoulvisia reveals secrets to her that put their lives in danger. The prince and Zoulvisia plan her escape.

“The Pie and the Patty-Pan”

Peter Rabbit and Other Stories

by Beatrix Potter

When a little dog named Duchess gets an invitation to tea at the home of Ribby the cat, she becomes dreadfully afraid that Ribby is going to serve her mouse pie. Duchess bakes a delightful veal and ham pie and comes up with a very clever plan to substitute her own pie for Ribby’s. However, both of their pies become mixed up and each becomes dreadfully afraid that they have eaten a patty-pan.

“The Tale of Mr. Tod”

Peter Rabbit and Other Stories

by Beatrix Potter

Mr. Tod, a fox, and Tommy Brock, a badger, are both troublesome neighbors and “disagreeable people.” Mr. Tod has a habit of taking up lodging in other people’s houses. Mr. Brock visits a rabbit friend, who turns out to be Mr. Bouncer Bunny from The Tale of Benjamin Bunny, and then steals his son Benjamin Bunny’s children with plans to cook and eat them. Mr. Tod however finds that Mr. Brock has taken up residence in one of his homes, and after many comical efforts to rouse him, they fight it out. Meanwhile, Benjamin and his cousin Peter have come to rescue Benjamin’s children, and the fight gives them a chance to sneak off with the baby bunnies.

“The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin”

Peter Rabbit and Other Stories

by Beatrix Potter

Squirrel Nutkin goes along with a group of squirrels to Owl Island to gather nuts. However, while all the other squirrels are busy collecting nuts, Nutkin is often playing or making mischief. While the other squirrels present the island’s resident owl, Old Brown, with gifts to earn his permission to gather nuts, Nutkin dances and taunts the owl with sing-song rhymes. Eventually, after Nutkin annoys Old Brown many times, the owl captures Nutkin and tries to skin him alive. Nutkin escapes but not without getting his tail bitten off.

Catherine and Her Destiny

The Pink Fairy Book

by Andrew Lang

Catherine is living a happy life, until one day her Destiny steps in and asks a fateful question. Things change for Catherine, and she finds herself wandering the world, always looking for a new place to work. After some time has passed, her life is not so bad, but not so good either. She and her lady come up with a plan to try to appease her Destiny. A ball of silk is the offer made, and Catherine finds just how important a ball of silk can be.

The Cunning Shoemaker

The Pink Fairy Book

by Andrew Lang

A shoemaker sets out to earn money in another town. He is successful, but meets with a band of robbers who wish to take all he has earned. He devises a trick to prevent the robbers from getting the better of him. The robbers soon realize that they have been deceived, and seek out the shoemaker for revenge. He again outwits them, and so it goes on.

The Flying Trunk

The Pink Fairy Book

by Andrew Lang

A merchant’s son spends his inheritance frivolously. He is lucky enough to get a present from a friend - a flying trunk. He uses the trunk to meet a princess, and to try to impress her. He tells the sultan and sultana a story, which pleases them. He puts on a fireworks display to impress all the people, but doesn’t consider the consequences.

The Goblin and the Grocer

The Pink Fairy Book

by Andrew Lang

A goblin is bound to a grocer because of the jam and butter that the grocer provides. However, the goblin discovers a new world in the book belonging to the student. An emergency makes the goblin realize what is important to him.

Hans, the Mermaid’s Son

The Pink Fairy Book

by Andrew Lang

A hard-working man disappears at sea for several days. Upon his return others notice the wonderful advantages he has, and the news spreads that he was with a mermaid. One day a boy arrives: it is the mermaid’s son.The boy is miraculous. He is bigger and stronger than any others. He leaves his father to earn his way in the world. He meets with a squire and agrees to do the work of twelve men for the food of twelve men. However, the squire soon wishes this man gone, and tries to find a way to be rid of him.

The House in the Wood

The Pink Fairy Book

by Andrew Lang

A father asks for his daughters to bring him lunch in the woods, but the birds eat up the trails he has left. The daughters each in turn find a small house with a little old man and three beasts. There they are tested.

How the Dragon was Tricked

The Pink Fairy Book

by Andrew Lang

A young man is betrayed by his jealous older brother and left in the forest. He uses trickery to get out of his trouble, and still more trickery in order to make his way in life. When the king hears of his reputation he is called to the castle and given three tasks to complete.

How the Hermit Helped to Win the King’s Daughter

The Pink Fairy Book

by Andrew Lang

A king advertises that he will wed his daughter to one who can make a ship that will float on both land and sea. Three brothers each have their hand at building such a ship, but the kindness of the youngest allows him success, as he befriends a holy hermit. The group journeys to the kingdom, picking up friends along the way. Unfortunately, the king changes the rules when they arrive, but the man's new friends help him to meet the king’s demands.

I Know what I Have Learned

The Pink Fairy Book

by Andrew Lang

A man decides to visit each of his three daughters, who are married to trolls. On each visit he sees the trolls perform marvelous tasks, then returns home with money. Additionally, on each trip he loses the money because of his own ignorance. He sets out to prove to his wife the lessons he has learned.

The King who Would Have a Beautiful Wife

The Pink Fairy Book

by Andrew Lang

A king decides he must marry the most beautiful woman and sends his servant to find her. He is somewhat deceived, and is angry when he makes this discovery. His new wife is spotted by four fairies, who make some changes in her. At this, the king wonders at the mistake he has made. The woman’s sister makes her way to the palace, and is jealous of her sister’s new situation. She sets out to make some changes in herself.

Peter Bull

The Pink Fairy Book

by Andrew Lang

An older couple wishes that they had an heir. They have a bull calf that they adore, named Peter. They devise a plan to teach Peter to talk so that he may become their heir. They ask the clerk to help them in their endeavours. After a large investment, they are disappointed that they still have not seen Peter or evidence of his improvement. The clerk arrives to explain what has happened, and the man sets off in search of his “son.” All ends happily for everyone involved.

The Princess in the Chest

The Pink Fairy Book

by Andrew Lang

A king is determined to have a child, so his queen sees an old woman who helps her to bear a child through enchantment. There are limitations—the king and queen cannot see their child until she is fourteen. The king decides to break this rule of the contract, and the princess dies. He is then forced to put her body in the church with a sentinel standing guard. However, finding a sentinel starts to become a challenge when those who volunteer disappear. A young smith who wishes to show his bravery is the first to last the night, and his drunken bravery earns him rewards.

Snowflake

The Pink Fairy Book

by Andrew Lang

A man and woman wish for a child. One winter they decide to create a snow child, and are shocked to see their creation miraculously come to life. They treat the child, Snowflake, as their own and shower her with love and affection. Unfortunately the arrival of spring brings changes that cause unhappiness.

The Water of Life

The Pink Fairy Book

by Andrew Lang

Three brothers and one sister work hard to build a palace. They are happy until a visitor tells them what their palace is missing. Each sets out in turn to bring back the water of life, the tree of beauty, and the talking bird. Unfortunately each of the brothers is unsuccessful, and all seems lost until the sister manages to make her way to the mountaintop.

4.1

“The Fox, the Rooster, and the Dog”

Aesop's Fables

by Aesop

A Fox saw a Rooster sitting high beyond his reach in a hen-coop. He began to talk to the Rooster saying that King Lion had declared no beast may hurt a bird but all must live in friendship. When he saw a Dog coming toward him he ran saying the Dog may not have heard of King Lion’s decree.

“The Traveler and His Dog”

Aesop's Fables

by Aesop

The Traveler is ready to leave on the journey when he sees his Dog in the doorway stretching. He snaps at the dog to get ready, blaming the dog for delaying them. Moral: The one who is late sometimes blames the tardiness on others who are already ready.

“The Two Pots”

Aesop's Fables

by Aesop

A strong pot and a fragile pot are afloat in a stream, and if the stream’s currents should cause them to bump each other, the fragile pot will be hurt.

4.2

4.3

“The Man and the Satyr”

Aesop's Fables

by Aesop

A Man lost in a wood on a cold night was promised lodging for the night by the Satyr. The Satyr asked the Man why kept blowing on his hands. The Man replied that his breath warmed them. Once home with the Satyr he was given a hot bowl of food. He raised the spoonful and blew on it. The Satyr asked why he was now blowing on the food. The man replied that he was cooling the food which was too hot. Immediately the Satyr threw him out because he would not have anything to do with a person who could blow hot and cold.

4.4

4.5

4.6

“The Nurse and the Wolf”

Aesop's Fables

by Aesop

A wolf overhears a child’s Nurse threaten to throw him out the window if he cries. The child cries, but when the Nurse sees the wolf she calls the dogs to chase the disappointed wolf away. The moral being, “Enemies’ promises were made to be broken.”

“The Woodman and the Serpent”

Aesop's Fables

by Aesop

A Woodman took a Serpent that appeared to be dead home to warm it. As the Serpent came to life again a child reached out to touch it. The Serpent was about to sting the child when the Woodman cut the Serpent in two.

“Philemon and Baucis”

Fairy Tales and Other Traditional Stories

by FCIT

A village is preparing for a visit from Zeus. Everyone is too busy or too tired to extend any kindness to two beggars except Philemon and Baucis. This poor old couple has time for the strangers and are rewarded in a very unusual way for their generosity. This story is a translation of "Philemon and Baucis" from Metamorphoses by the Roman poet Ovid.

4.7

“The Cat-Maiden”

Aesop's Fables

by Aesop

Jupiter and Venus argue if a living being can change its nature. Jupiter changes a cat into a maiden and has her marry. Venus lets loose a mouse during the wedding to see how she reacts. The maiden pounces on the mouse.

“The Sick Lion”

Aesop's Fables

by Aesop

As a Lion lay dying his subjects drew near. When the lion seemed on the point of death several animals decided to pay him off for old grudges. Moral: Only cowards insult dying majesty.

“How the Beggar Boy Turned into Count Piro”

The Crimson Fairy Book

by Andrew Lang

A poor beggar boy is left with nothing but a beautiful pear tree when his father dies. A fox sees the pear tree and promises to bring him good luck if he does what he is told. His life is transformed and the fox asks only for a coffin when he dies because he is the one responsible for the former beggar’s good fortune.

4.8

“The Hart and the Hunter”

Aesop's Fables

by Aesop

The Hart admires his antlers and dislikes his slim and slight legs. When escaping from a hunter, his legs swiftly carry him away, but his antlers get caught in a tree. This allows the hunter to come up on him. Sometimes we don’t appreciate what is most important. What is most valuable, the beautiful antlers or the skinny legs?

The Enchanted Head

The Brown Fairy Book

by Andrew Lang

A man is cursed by a wicked fairy and is doomed to be only a head to the world. However, he is very powerful and is able to complete impossible deeds to impress the sultan and marry his daughter.

4.9

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