Classic English Literature For Teens

Robinson Crusoe, the first English novel, was an immediate success when first published in 1719, and has been an internationally popular classic ever since. The compelling tale of a man who put to sea in search of adventure and found himself shipwrecked on a desert island and alone for decades has become a resonant modern myth.

When the naive David Balfour sets out on his quest for a long-lost relative, a terrifying chain of events is set in motion. He is plunged into a world of infamy and violence from which there seems no escape, until, that, is, he meets the enigmatic and valiant Highland, Alan Breck.

Alice is bored while sitting with her older sister, who is reading a book that "had no pictures or conversations in it". Alice takes interest in a passing white rabbit that is dressed in a waistcoat and muttering, "Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be too late!" She follows the rabbit down a rabbit hole, then finds herself falling down into a dreamlike world, where she has several adventures.

This classic book brings out the true spirit of the Gold Rush days at the turn of the last century. It portrays the brutality, kindness, love, and folly that Jack London experienced first-hand during his time in the far north. It was his first successful book, and catapulted him to literary fame.

The Red Badge of Courage is a masterpiece about a young private in the Union Army whose youthful enthusiasm about the glory of Civil War battle gives way to increasing doubt and worry. He fears that when he comes to be tested in his first encounter on the battlefield, he will be found deficient of courage.

The St. Charles Players present a new and unique telling of this children's classic performed in exciting Radio Theatre style.

Set amidst the islands of Hawaii, "The Bottle Imp" tells the tale of Keawe, a young man who comes into possession of a bottle containing a shadowy creature that grants his every wish. Of course, nothing is free, as Keawe soon discovers. He learns that he must get rid of the bottle or suffer a terrible fate. But getting rid of the bottle is not as easy at it would seem.

Stylish gentlemen and ladies await their carriages in the Victorian London night. But lurking in the shadows is one of the creatures of the night, one who brings chilling fear to those he encounters, a man who cannot die yet must prey upon the blood of others to prolong his doomed existence...the vampire Dracula.

Life on the streets of turn-of-the-century London hurls the orphan Oliver Twist into a danger-filled adventure! With him we meet the Artful Dodger and Fagin, and learn the ways of the hard world...

Shakespeare for Kids adapts and abridges Shakespeare's classic plays presenting them in shorter versions in plain English, in this case our abridged adaptation of The Merchant of Venice runs just under 20 minutes. Short enough to retain the interest of a younger audience. The Merchant Of Venice is considered a romantic comedy, though has its share of dramatic scenes. A young nobleman wishes to borrow money to spend on a wealthy heiress, but falls foul of an unethical moneylender.

Plain English Shakespeare adapts and abridges Shakespeare's classic plays presenting them in shorter versions in plain English. Antony and Cleopatra is a Roman tragedy with romantic and comedic aspects, first performed around 1607, based on Thomas North's translation of the story Plutarch's lives in Ancient Greek. The plays follows Antony and Cleopatra at a time of strife in Sicily and the Roman Republic more broadly.

Plain English Shakespeare adapts and abridges Shakespeare's classic plays presenting them in shorter versions in plain English. In this case All's Well That Ends Well is performed in 13 minutes. This conversion from Shakespearian language to today’s English, makes it easier to grasp the narrative structure of the play and appreciate Shakespeare's incredible gift for storytelling. This can be helpful for a younger audience, for those who are newer to the Shakespeare canon and for those who simply looking for a fresh approach to the great works of Shakespeare.

Theseus sets off to meet his father and claim the throne of Athens. But first he must defeat many obstacles, including giants, trolls, and the vicious Crommyonian Boar. This is a brilliant retelling of one of the greatest of the Greek myths. The story of Theseus pulses with adventure, humor, and tragedy.

This is the timeless tale of Dorothy and her friends, the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodsman, and the Cowardly Lion, in the enchanting land of OZ. Those who have only seen the movie are in for a real treat, as much of the book did not make it into the classic 1939 film.

Lewis Carroll's enduring tale begins with Alice chasing the White Rabbit down a rabbit hole, where she encounters a world of delightfully eccentric characters like the Mad Hatter, the March Hare, the Cheshire Cat, the Mock Turtle, and the Queen of Hearts. Throughout her fantastic journeys, Alice retains her reason, humor, and sense of justice.

>Little Women, closely based on Louisa M. Alcott’s own experience of family life, was first published in 1869 and has never lost its extraordinary power to move and delight - from the heartrending story of gentle Beth to the humorous adventures of tomboyish Jo, and Meg’s vain attempts to cut a fashionable figure in "society".

Mark Twain's lively tale of the scrapes and adventures of boyhood is set in Missouri, where Tom Sawyer and his friend Huckleberry Finn have the kinds of adventures many boys can only imagine - along with trying to impress girls, especially Becky Thatcher; fights and stunts in the schoolyard; getting lost (and saved) in a cave; and playing on the Mississippi River.

Young orphan and heir David Balfour is victimized by his miserly Uncle Ebenezer, who has him kidnapped and sold into slavery on a ship bound for the Carolinas. But a shipwreck frees David, who then meets David Break, a Scotsman returning from political exile. Together, they witness a murder, and when suspicion falls on them, they undertake a dangerous journey across the Scottish Highlands.

While taking a break from his latest painting, an artist casually stands at his window, looking at the street below. Much to his horror he sees a hideously disfigured man, a man whose features draw a repulsive shudder - the artist recognizes him from a nightmare foretelling his own death.

Siblings Alexina and Stephen are down on their luck this year and resign themselves to not having a Christmas dinner. But when their wealthy, gourmand uncle James invites himself to their house for Christmas, the pair scramble to lay out a sumptuous feast, including his favorite, Mince pie. But 10 minutes before the turkey is done, an unforeseeable disaster occurs that threatens to ruin everything.