First Avenue Classics Series

Buck is a big dog living a comfortable life in California. When gold is discovered in Canada, he is stolen from his home, taken up to the Klondike region, and forced to pull dog sleds. As time passes, Buck discovers the instincts of his ancestors and learns how to survive in the wild, endure freezing conditions, and deal with cruel men and dogs. Finally, Buck finds a kind master, but in the end, the call of the wild may be too strong. This is an unabridged version of Jack London's classic American survival story, first published in 1903.

Obsessed with tales of gallant knights, Don Quixote, a middle-aged man from La Mancha, decides to take his own adventure. Donning rusty armor and riding upon an old horse, he sets off to change the world and save his invented damsel in distress in the name of chivalry. Unfortunately, Don Quixote and his squire Sancho Panza are met with a host of ill-intentioned characters, and the pair often find themselves the butt of a joke rather than chivalrous saviors. This renowned tragic comedy, written by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, was first published in Spain in two parts in 1605 and 1615. This is an unabridged version of John Ormsby's English translation from 1885.

Bored with reading a book with no pictures, Alice looks up and sees a white rabbit in a waistcoat. Curious, she follows. Tumbling down a rabbit hole after him, Alice leaves the rational world behind and enters a world of nonsense. A drink that makes you shrink and a cake that makes you grow, a floating cat that can turn invisible, a tea party stuck in a perpetual time loop, and an angry queen of playing cards all make Alice's head spin as she works her way through her confusing surroundings. This unabridged version of Lewis Carroll's fantastical English novel was first published in 1865 and includes original illustrations by John Tenniel from the 1897 edition.

Elizabeth Bennet and her four sisters need husbands, according to their mother. When Mr. Bingley, a handsome, wealthy bachelor, moves in nearby and his equally suitable friends come for visits, Mrs. Bennet's hope soars. Yet Elizabeth finds one of the friends, Mr. Darcy, arrogant and conceited, and her opinion of him worsens when she discovers he has thwarted the relationship between Mr. Bingley and her sister Jane. Romance, heartbreak, and satire weave throughout the story to show the dangers of judging by first impressions and being too prideful to follow one's heart. This is an unabridged version of Jane Austen's delightful comedy, which was first published in 1813 and has remained a popular English novel for more than 200 years.

In 1817 or 1818, Frederick Douglass was born into slavery on a plantation in Maryland. As a young boy, he served in a household, but as he grew older, he faced increasingly brutal conditions and cruel owners. After many years, he escaped to freedom in New York City and began to publicly denounce slavery through writings and speeches. This unabridged version of Douglass's powerful autobiography, first published in 1845, provides an honest, firsthand account of the horrors of slavery in the United States.

When a woodcarver named Geppetto makes a puppet out of magical wood, the puppet starts to talk and move. Geppetto names his new son Pinocchio. However, Pinocchio is not well-behaved; he runs away, lies, and gets into all sorts of mischief. Through it all, Geppetto, the Talking Cricket, and the Fairy with Turquoise Hair try their best to keep the young troublemaker in line. In the end, it's up to Pinocchio himself to prove that he is responsible and kind enough to become a real boy. This famous Italian children's story by Carlo Collodi was first serialized in 1881-1882 and published as a book in 1883. This is an unabridged version taken from a 1916 English language edition, with illustrations by Alice Carsey.

Hester Prynne has committed one of the worst crimes in seventeenth-century Puritan Boston: adultery. To make matter worse, she is pregnant. As punishment, she is shamed and forced to wear a large red "A" on her chest at all times. Despite interrogations from the villagers, Hester refuses to reveal the father's identity. As raising an unruly child, dealing with her husband's thirst for revenge, and watching her lover's increasing guilt begin to take their toll, Hester must decide whether keeping her secret is worth the price. This unabridged version of Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic American novel is taken from the 1878 copyright edition, featuring original illustrations drawn by Mary Hallock Foote and engraved by A. V. S. Anthony, as well as ornamental pieces illustrated by L. S. Ipsen.

Spoiled and rude, Mary Lennox has been raised by servants as her parents had no time for her. When her parents die in a cholera epidemic, Mary suddenly becomes an orphan. She moves to her uncle's mysterious house in England. The huge mansion and its friendly staff offer Mary a new kind of environment in which to grow. As she explores, she discovers a key to a secret garden and builds friendships with a local boy and her invalid cousin. A story of overcoming selfish desires, this unabridged version of Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic English novel is taken from the 1911 copyright edition, with original illustrations by Charles Robinson.

Jane Eyre endures a harsh childhood as an orphan living first with her cruel aunt and later at a boarding school run by a callous headmaster. After completing school, Jane accepts a governess job taking care of a spirited young girl, and she secretly falls in love with her employer, the dark and brooding Mr. Rochester. But after he proposes, she discovers he has a secret with the power to destroy their relationship—and maybe even his life. Struggle, heartbreak, and redemption all play into this unabridged version of Charlotte Brontë's classic English novel, taken from the 1897 copyright edition and featuring original illustrations by F. H. Townsend.

Hermia's father has given her a seemingly impossible decision: marry Demetrius, a man she doesn't love, or die. Instead, she decides to take fate into her own hands and run off with her true love, Lysander. Demetrius sets off into the forest to find them, followed by Helena, a young woman smitten with Demetrius, whom he constantly ignores. But the forest is filled with fairies—including the mischievous Puck—whose magic just might spoil everything. This is an unabridged version of William Shakespeare's multilayered comedy, first published in England in 1600.

Dorothy lives a peaceful though dull life on the Kansas prairie with Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. When Dorothy and her dog Toto are carried off by a tornado to the land of Oz, magical adventures begin. To get back home, Dorothy must avoid the Wicked Witch and travel the yellow brick road with the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion to meet the Wizard of Oz. Each of the friends is searching for something; they face many dangers on their quest, while their answers may be closer than they think. This unabridged version of L. Frank Baum's classic childhood story was first published in the United States in 1900.

In the kingdom of Illyria, a love triangle has everyone on edge. Orsino loves Olivia, a bereaved noblewoman who is in mourning for her dead brother. Olivia loves Cesario, who is actually a woman named Viola. Viola had dressed as a man in order to gain employment in Orsino's household. Viola, of course, falls in love with Orsino, and he has no knowledge of the true identity of his "male" servant, Cesario. A romantic romp full of tricks, twists, and happy reunions, this unabridged version of William Shakespeare's classic comedy was first published in England in 1623.

The four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—face good times and bad while growing up in a small New England town. Their father is away, serving as a chaplain for the Union in the Civil War, and the family has fallen on hard times financially. Yet their wise and patient mother, Marmee, guides them through every twist and turn. The girls play games, make friends, have adventures, learn from disappointments, fall in love, and strive to follow their dreams as they grow into young women. This unabridged version of Louisa Mae Alcott's well-loved American novel is taken from the 1880 copyright edition, which features original illustrations by Frank T. Merrill.

This collection of twenty-five short stories includes some of O. Henry's finest works. The book title, The Four Million, is attributed to the population of New York City in the early 1900s, and many of the stories are set there. O. Henry's empathetic tales give names and faces to everyday people, bearing out his belief that everyone is worth noticing. The collection includes one of his most famous stories, "The Gift of the Magi." The poignant piece tells of a young, poor couple who try to come up with surprise Christmas presents for each other, even though neither can afford much. This is an unabridged version of the American author's short story collection, which was first published in 1906.

Uncle Tom, a slave on a farm in Kentucky, is sold by his owner Arthur Shelby and forced to travel south down the Mississippi River. As he is sold from one owner to another, his strong faith in God and his loyalty to fellow slaves sustain him. When Tom ends up on a plantation owned by a cruel, abusive man named Simon Legree, a final act of defiance sends Legree over the edge. This unabridged version of Harriet Beecher Stowe's American classic, first published in 1852, exposes the brutality of slavery and stresses the value of faith and the significance of self-sacrifice.

In these two American literary classics, Henry David Thoreau offers readers his experiences and thoughts on how to live a more fulfilling life and stand up for what is right. Having spent two years living in solitude at Walden Pond, he stresses the importance of a quiet, reflective life and the rewards of a nonmaterialistic existence in Walden. His essay "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience" discusses his belief in nonviolent protests against an unjust government—in particular, he attacks the US government's approval of slavery and support for the Mexican-American War. These unabridged versions were first published in 1854 and 1849, respectively, but their ideas are timeless.

"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark." Brooding Hamlet, the son of the recently deceased king, is about to discover the royal family's corruption firsthand. Taken by the castle watchman to meet the apparition they see at night, Hamlet is surprised to find it is his father's ghost. Hamlet seeks to avenge his father's dishonorable death, but the casualties along the way may prove to be just as tragic. Enter William Shakespeare's famous world of betrayal, madness, and "murder most foul" through this unabridged version of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, first published in England in 1603.

After rescuing her father from prison in Paris, Lucie Manette brings him back home to London. There, she is wooed by two similar-looking men: Charles Darney is a Frenchman recently acquitted of being a spy, while Sydney Carton is a drunken lawyer's assistant. Eventually, Lucie and Charles marry. Not long after the French Revolution begins, Charles is called back to Paris to help someone in prison. Unfortunately, Charles is the nephew of a cruel nobleman, and the revolutionaries sentence him to death for his uncle's crimes. Sydney's love for Lucie may be the only thing that can save Charles's life. This unabridged version of Charles Dickens's classic tale, first published in England in 1859, explores the best and worst in human nature.

Two Scottish generals, Macbeth and Banquo, are on their way home from successful battles when they encounter three witches. With the prophecies of power and fame they give him swirling through his head, Macbeth tells his wife that the witches divined that he would become king of Scotland. Eager to see her husband as king, Lady Macbeth encourages him to murder King Duncan and assume the throne. A tale of obsession and forcing the fates, this unabridged version of William Shakespeare's classic English tragedy was first published in 1623.

Every mystery has an explanation, and detective Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are sure to explain why a supernatural black hound seems to be plaguing the Baskerville family. The recent death of Sir Charles Baskerville has renewed the family's fear in the beast. Using his quintessential blend of observation and deduction, Holmes—with the help of Watson—untangles a knot of suspects including an escaped convict, a mysterious woman, and the killer hound to solve the mystery. This is an unabridged version of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's most popular Sherlock Holmes crime novel, which the Scottish author first published in the UK in 1902.

An oddly diverse group of twenty-nine people meet at an inn. Each of them is on a pilgrimage to a martyr's shrine in Canterbury. The Host suggests the strange bunch journey together and tell stories to pass the time. The group heads off, including a Knight, a Miller, a Wife, a Cook, a Shipman, and a Nun, among others, telling stories that range from bawdy exploits to foolish workers to the lives of saints. A classic of English literature, this unabridged version of Geoffrey Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales was first published in the early 1400s and edited into modern English by D. Laing Purves in 1879. Purves's collection of Chaucer's works also contains Troilus and Cressida and additional poems and prose.

For Romeo and Juliet, it's love at first sight. But there's a problem: Romeo belongs to the Montague family, while Juliet is a Capulet. In Verona, these noble families are constantly feuding. In fact, they hate each other so much that the prince of Verona has stepped in and declared death to anyone who disturbs the peace again. Forced to hide their love, the two secretly wed and plan to leave together. A string of miscommunication, however, may lead to a tragic end. This is an unabridged version of William Shakespeare's famous romantic tragedy, first published in England in 1599.

While staying at his friend Leonato's home, Claudio falls in love with Hero, Leonato's beautiful daughter, and they agree to marry. In the meantime, they decide to trick their friends Benedick and Beatrice—who have nothing but insults for each other—into falling in love as well. However, Don John, the illegitimate brother of Leonato's close friend Don Pedro, won't stand for such happiness. He tricks Claudio into thinking Hero has been unfaithful. Claudio's hasty overreaction and Leonato's redemption of Hero wield all the tools of a romantic comedy, making a story that is, indeed, much ado about nothing. This unabridged version of William Shakespeare's delightful play was first published in England in 1600.

Drawn by visions of glory on the battlefield, Henry Fleming joins the Union Army to fight the Confederates. But his dreams of valor are outweighed by his fear, and after one battle, Harry runs away. As he runs, he meets several wounded men whose "red badges of courage" make him even more ashamed of his cowardice. Henry returns to the front line and, inspired by the men who sacrificed their limbs and lives, fights with a passion he never knew he had. This is an unabridged version of the classic Civil War novel by American author Stephen Crane, first published in 1895.

Whether tricking other boys into doing his work or sneaking off to bury a dead cat, Tom Sawyer is a boy with a fondness for mischief. But things become grim when he and his pal Huck Finn witness a murder and cover-up by the lawless Injun Joe. Even though he’s scared the murderer will come after him next, Tom continues to explore the Missouri countryside with his friends and attempts to woo the new girl in town. Another encounter with Injun Joe, however, will put both Tom and Huck's daringness to the ultimate test. This unabridged version of Mark Twain's classic American tale, including original illustrations by True Williams and others, is taken from the 1884 copyright edition.

John Milton's epic poem describes the fall of humankind and the war between heaven and hell. Satan and his fellow fallen angels are jealous that God has not given them more power. They decide to take their revenge on God's newest creation: humankind. Though warned by God, Adam and Eve are tempted by Satan and disobey God's command. Thereafter, the world is filled with sin and death, and Adam and Eve must leave Paradise, but not without a promise from God of a savior in the future. This is an unabridged version of Milton's second edition of the poem, which was originally published in England in 1674.

Aesop's famous collection of fables are intended to teach a variety of moral lessons. But instead of being long-winded and serious, these lighthearted tales are full of talking animals and often silly situations. Featuring such popular fables as "The Lion and the Mouse" and "The Fox and the Grapes," this collection is sure to entertain readers of any age. While the existence of Aesop's fables dates back to 6th century BCE, this version is taken from a 1919 copyright edition, with original illustrations by Milo Winter.

During a dark night in December, a man sits in his room sadly thinking about his lost love, Lenore. Suddenly, he hears a tapping on the door, but no one is there. The noise moves to the window and the man opens it, only to see an ominous raven. The raven only has one thing to say and, as the night goes on, his haunting call of "Nevermore" begins to make the man more and more paranoid. This unabridged version of Edgar Allan Poe's eerie poem, first published in 1884, is accompanied by Gustave Doré's stunning woodcut illustrations.

Huckleberry Finn has just been adopted by the Widow Douglass and her sister, and both are committed to changing Huck's "uncivilized" ways. Clean clothes, good manners, and steady church and school attendance are more than Huck can take. But when he is kidnapped by his drunken father, Huck's return to life without rules doesn't seem much better. He escapes and meets Jim, a runaway slave, and together the two travel the Mississippi River on a raft, heading toward Jim's freedom. This unabridged version of Mark Twain's classic American tale—a follow-up to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer—is taken from the 1885 copyright edition and includes original illustrations by Edward W. Kemble.

Mr. Earnshaw, the owner of the Wuthering Heights manor, adopts a young orphan named Heathcliff to raise alongside his two children, Hindley and Catherine. Though Hindley hates him, Heathcliff forms a close relationship with Catherine. As an adult, Catherine marries Edgar, a wealthy neighbor who detests Heathcliff, and Heathcliff flees. Spurred on by feelings of abandonment and betrayal as well as the loss of his beloved, Healthcliff seeks revenge on everyone who wronged him. This unabridged version of Emily Brontë's classic English Gothic novel is taken from the 1910 copyright edition.