This text provides an introduction to the work of major 19th-century authors. It contains a range of stories and extracts, selected for their appeal to 11-to-14-year-olds. Students are introduced to characters such as Fagin, Sherlock Holmes, Silas Marner and Miss Havisham and to famous scenes from well-known novels. Understanding of the texts is enhanced by a glossary, notes, illustrations and activities. Glossary notes on the same page as the text and illustrations help students understand what they read. Activities aim to bring the texts alive in the classroom and help students get to grips with the language of pre-20th-century literature.