stories for thinking students

Series of graded readers specially designed for young people who want to think for themselves - in English!

Four levels of difficulty, corresponding to the first, second, third and fourth years of the E.S.O. syllabus and employing a basic vocabulary of 600, 1000, 1500 and 2000 words.

Original stories with a small number of main characters and strong narratives guaranteed to keep readers hooked from beginning to end.

Each story dramatises social and moral themes to encourage pupils to really “think in English” and to inspire classroom discussion. Themes range from bullying at school and teenage drug abuse to international terrorism and the war in Iraq.

Each volume contains a full range of grammar, vocabulary and comprehension exercises as well as an extensive glossary of difficult words.

The series as a whole follows established guidelines on the non-sexist use of language.

graded readers

level 1Verbs The verbs to be and to have (got).

Imperatives. Present simple. Present continuous – with future reference. Going to - future. Past simple (common regular and irregular verbs). The modals must, mustn’t, can, can’t.Questions. Short answers.

Nouns Singular and plural. Countable and uncountable. Possessives.

Pronouns Personal. Demonstrative. Interrogative.

Others Adjectives, qualifying and predicative. Verb + adverb. Adverbs and adverbial phrases marking time. Two-clause sentences with and, but, or, because.Suggestions.

level 2Verbs Future simple.

Past continuous. The modals have to, could, should.Question tags. Ask / tell + infinitive. Like + gerund. Infinitive of purpose.

Clauses Main clause + one subordinate clause. Relative clauses with who, that, which.

Others Conjunctions. Adjectives, comparative and superlative. Simple indirect speech (with tense changes).

level 3Verbs Present perfect.

Used to + infinitive. Simple passive (present and past simple).The modals need, may, might.

Adjectives Too + adjective. Not + adjective + enough. Much, many, a lot…

Others First conditional. Conjunctions. Indirect speech (including indirect questions).

level 4Verbs Conditional.

Past perfect. Passive (present and past continous). Passive (present and past perfect).

Others Second conditional. Indirect speech with past perfect. Non-defining relative clauses.

The Shortcut Themes for reflection and discussion: family tensions, crossing the generation gap, discovering what is real ly important in one’s l i fe.

978-84-7873-427-6

A Question of Courage Themes for reflection and discussion: the meaning of courage, being honest with oneself, developing a personal moral ity.

978-84-7873-428-3

The Headcase Themes for reflection and discussion: social injustice, the unequal distr ibution of wealth, society ’s responsibil ity for the poor, the relationship between men and animals.

978-84-7873-429-0

Volcano Themes for reflection and discussion: the polit ics of the environment, the dangers of lett ing natural warnings go unheeded.

978-84-7873-430-6

Iqbal’s Way Themes for reflection and discussion: chi ld slaver y in the world today, the effects of globalization, human r ights, how one individual can make a difference.

978-84-7873-431-3

The Believer Themes for reflection and discussion: the search for meaning, international terror ism, democracy versus Is lamic fundamentalism, racial and rel igious hatred.

978-84-7873-432-0

School of Fear Themes for reflection and discussion: the psychological relationship between the bully and his victim, the victim’s sense of isolation and helplessness, the passive complicity of others, the only way out.

978-84-7873-433-7

The Fire TrapThemes for reflection and discussion: sexual stereotypes, women work ing in “a man’s world”, achievement through confidence in one’s own merits, discovering oneself in a moment of truth.

978-84-7873-434-4

The Kill Zone Themes for reflection and discussion: American policy in the Middle East , the futi l ity and the horror of war, the rel iabil ity of the information our governments give us.The Clear ing

978-84-7873-435-1

The Clearing Themes for reflection and discussion: knowing and respecting Nature, preser ving the environment, racial tensions and learning respect for others.

978-84-7873-436-8

Every 15 Seconds Themes for reflection and discussion: the dangers of sexual stereotypes, the scourge of domestic violence, the persistent bias of the judicial system against women.

978-84-7873-437-5

The Devil ’s Deal Themes for reflection and discussion: the danger of al l drugs, the vulnerabil ity of young people, the cynicism of dealers, the cost in ruined l ives.

978-84-7873-438-2

level 1 level 3

level 2 level 4