The Signalman & Holiday Romance: Level 600 Reader (L+) (CEFR B1-B2)

The Signalman & Holiday Romance: Level 600 Reader (L+) (CEFR B1-B2) features modernized and simplified adaptations of two well-known short stories by Charles Dickens. The Signalman, originally published in 1866, is a ghostly tale of mystery and suspense set in a railway signal box. Holiday Romance, first published in 1868, encourages a spirit of creativity and freedom of imagination. The story is narrated from the perspectives of four children-William, Nettie, Robin, and Alice-who, while on holiday, immerse themselves in their fantasies, joyfully experiencing the world of make-believe.

Level 600 Matatabi Reader (J+)

* Flesch Kincaid Grade Level 3 to 4

* CEFR B1-B2

* (J+): 1520 Headwords

* 10370 Words

Charles John Huffman Dickens was born in 1812 in the city of Portsmouth, England. He loved to read and learn from an early age. However, when he was twelve, his family ran into money troubles and his father went to jail for not paying his debts. This forced Charles to leave school and start working to help out. Even though his schooling stopped early, Dickens didn't let this hold him back. He grew up to be a famous British writer, creating fifteen novels, five short novels, and many short stories. His story "A Christmas Carol" from 1843 is still much-loved today. It's been turned into plays, movies, and cartoons that families all over the world watch at Christmas. In 1866, Dickens wrote "The Signal-Man," featuring an unnamed narrator encountering a railway signalman who shares his spooky experiences, such as seeing a ghostly figure of a man and witnessing unusual events on the railway line. The tale, known for its haunting and atmospheric qualities, is often referred to as a classic of the ghost story genre. Two years later, in 1868, Dickens authored "Holiday Romance," released in installments in a children's magazine. This work differed from many of his other novels, offering lighthearted tales from a child's perspective. Unlike his usual focus on societal issues seen through children's eyes, "Holiday Romance" aimed at lighthearted adventures and fostering imaginative play. Dickens died in 1870 when he was 58 years old. He was buried in Westminster Abbey in London, which is a special place where many great writers are remembered.

Josh MacKinnon is an experienced Japanese-English translator, checker and proofreader. He is based in the UK and specializes in website and advertising material translation.

John McLean is an associate professor at Yasuda Women's University in Hiroshima, where he oversees the interpreting stream. He has provided interpretation services for a wide range of notable figures, including world-class athletes (Simone Biles, Kohei Uchimura), Japanese film stars (Nana Komatsu, Kentaro Sakaguchi), officials (Kazumi Matsui, Mayor of Hiroshima), and multiple media outlets such as NBC, CBC, Al Jazeera, AP, Reuters, Kyodo, TV Asahi, RCC, and Chugoku Shimbun. Additionally, John collaborates with Japanese film directors, translating scripts and subtitling films, and supports upcoming Japanese filmmakers at the Berlin Film Festival through his involvement with the Japanese Government Agency for Cultural Affairs.