Books in Essential Classics series

A classic science fiction adventure about three men who are taken captive by the evil genius Captain Nemo, retold for younger readersFirst published more than a century ago, Jules Verne's science fiction adventure tells the story of a scientist, Arronox, who joins an expedition to find and destroy a mysterious sea monster who is attaching shipping. Instead, he finds himself the prisoner of the proud and ruthless Captain Nemo, captain of the amazing submarine The Nautilus.

Jack London's classic novel tells the story of White Fang, part-dog and part-wolf, retold for younger readersWhite Fang, published in 1906, is set in the frozen tundra and boreal forests of Canada's Yukon territory. White Fang, a half-breed dog-wolf, fights for survival in a human society every bit as violent as the natural world. This retelling has been shortened and illustrated for younger readers.

Glorious new rejacket of a Diana Wynne Jones classic award-winning favourite, featuring Chrestomanci -- now a book with extra bits! Everybody says that Gwendolyn Chant is a gifted witch with astonishing powers, so it suits her enormously when she is taken to live in Chrestomanci Castle. Her brother Eric (better known as Cat) is not so keen, for he has no talent for magic at all. However, life with the great enchanter is not what either of them expects and sparks begin to fly! Winner of the Guardian Award.

Retold for younger readers, Gaston Leroux's classic tale of horror follows a young opera singer, Christine Daaé, who makes her triumphant debut at the Opera—and then disappearsWritten in 1909, The Phantom of the Opera is a spine chilling, dramatic story. What has happened to the vanished young opera singer, Christine—could the mysterious opera ghost be to blame? Christine’s lover, Raoul de Chagny, spies a mysterious stranger shadowing her, and decides to follow. This retelling has been shortened and illustrated for younger readers.

Homer's epic poem telling the story of the darkest episode in the ten-year-long Trojan War, retold for younger readers The Iliad is one of the greatest works of literature ever written. It has inspired readers and listeners for millennia. The story tells of the Trojan War, fought between the Trojans, led by King Priam, and the Greeks, led by King Agamemnon. At its center is Achilles, the greatest warrior-champion of the Greeks, and his refusal to fight after being humiliated by his leader Agamemnon. But when the Trojan Hector kills Achilles' close friend Patroclus, he storms back into battle to take revenge—even though he knows this will ensure his own untimely death. This retelling has been shortened and illustrated for younger readers.

Following a map drawn in blood, adventurer Allan Quartermain embarks on a perilous and thrilling journey into the heart of Africa with Sir Henry Curtis and Captain John Good to find Sir Henry's missing younger brother - and the fabled lost diamond mines of King Solomon. This gripping adventure into dangerous and unknown lands will stay with you for a lifetime. Age 8+ Complete and unabridged.

In this retelling for younger readers, Richard Hannay is a Canadian visitor to 1930's London. After a disturbance at a music hall, he meets Annabella Smith, who is on the run from foreign agents. He takes her back to his apartment, but they are followed, and later that night Annabella is murdered. Hannay then goes on the run to break the spy ring and to prove his innocence.

The Iliad is one of the greatest works of literature ever written; it has inspired readers and listeners for millennia. The story tells of a few days -fighting in the ten year long war between the Trojans led by King Priam, and the Greeks led by King Agamemnon. Heroes from both sides fight one another - how they fight, and how they die, is what is important to them. Essential Classics is a wonderful new series that offers a quick way into a range of exciting stories. Fast-moving and accessible, each story is a shortened, dramatically illustrated version of the classic novel, which loses none of the strength and flavour of the original.