5 Easy Books for A1 (Beginning) German Learners
Amended: This post now includes 8 Easy German Book recommendations for A1-level learners,
3 from adult literature and 5 from youth literature.
If you are an A1 German learner, then that means you are at the beginning level of German. You're a beginner. It stays that way for a while, so you might as well enjoy it! The A1 level is key for you because it gives you the basics of German grammar. A1 is the foundational level for all other levels. I frequently tell people:
Think of the A1 level like the foundation of your house. You can't build a house on sand. If you don't have a good foundation, you're going to have a lot of problems later. So build it well, brick by brick, and make sure it's solid.
To help you solidify this, read materials that you enjoy and that bring you new words on topics you enjoy. Look for the A1 level. Usually you'll see a special emblem on the book like the one to the left, 
or it may simply be "A1" on the front and/or back cover.
I recommend you purchase physical copies so you can take notes in the book and so you can use the included audio/mp3 download with the book.
Each is a unique story written specifically for German learners at an A1 level.
Disclosure:
These are affiliate links to either alibris, an independent bookstore marketplace, or Amazon, depending on which one you click. If you use one of the links here to purchase the book, GermanWithNicole.com receives a small monetary thank you for recommending it to you, but I do not know who buys what. If you use these links to make your purchase: herzlichen Dank!
3 Easy Books for German Learners - Regular Adult Literature
1. Du findest mich nicht! - Fender ermittelt
Private Detective Fender takes on a murder case involving football (soccer), plus the murder sends an anonymous letter. It's a puzzle for P.I. Fender.
This one is new to me, and if you like it, please comment or use the contact form to tell me about it.
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2. Schatten über der Vergangenheit
The freshly retired Chief Inspector Emma Wagner wants to enjoy her retirement. But when Felix, a friend of her grandson's from Kindergarten, disappears, Felix's father's strange behavior nags at her...
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3. Überfall in Mannheim
Paul Sommer gets knocked over and he's robbed of his cafe's takings, and thus misses his first date with Marie. She is livid at first, until she finds out what happened to him via the newspaper. This is where the story takes off, as the sympathetic, courageous Marie assists the Detective Superintendent. Will the two of them be able to catch the culprits with a fast chase through Mannheim's downtown?
Shop "Überfall in Mannheim" on Alibris
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5 (More) Easy Books for German Learners - Young Adult Literature
Thee books in this Stadt, Land, Fluss... series are stories about teens and kids, but they are stories for everybody. They may be mysteries, but they are not scary, and they are thus a great choice for taking a mental break and engaging with some German. If you don't mind a story written for youth, then try these on for size, you'll learn a lot.
1. Der Schatz von Hiddensee
This is my favorite A1 story. Read this one if you like a wintery vacation, Schmuck (jewelry), and archaeological history.
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2. Spannende Tour im Schwarzwald
Read this one if you like Fahrrad fahren (bicycling), Wälder (forests), and Baden-Württemberg.
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3. Gefahr am Strand
Read this one if you like being am Strand (on the beach), die Nordsee, and Norddeutschland.
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4. Blinder Passagier
Read this one if you like Schiffe (ships), den Rhein (the Rhine river), and Familienausflüge (family outings).
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Then, when you're ready to move to the A2 level, or to simply give yourself an extra challenge, try...
5. Wilde Pferde im Münsterland
Read this one if you like Pferde (horses), Ferien (school holidays), and reiten (riding horses).
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Categories
- A1 (68)
- A2 (53)
- B1 (45)
- B2 (22)
- C1 (21)
- Deutsch lernen (78)
- Einkaufen (14)
- Essen (12)
- Grammatik (21)
- Hören (12)
- Landeskunde und Kultur (49)
- Lesen (11)
- Musik (5)
- Nachrichten (4)
- Podcast (71)
- Pronunciation (3)
- Schreiben (3)
- Schwäbisch (4)
- Spiele und Spaß (Games and Fun) (11)
- Sprechen (12)
- Vokabeln (37)
- Video (10)
Where does the verb go in that sentence?
Frau Warner's German Sentence Structure Guide will help you place everything correctly.
In it you'll find:
- German sentence structure for the beginning, novice, and intermediate levels.
- true-to-life sentence examples.
- English translations for every sentence.
It's yours to keep, plus you'll receive exclusive subscriber news, too.
4 comments
I know it's mainly down to the student's personal preference, but if you had to make a general recommendation, do you think it's better to learn from digital copies or physical copies when studying stories like these? I can see benefits and drawbacks to each.
1. My first general recommendation is for physical copies whenever possible. Here's why:
2. My second general recommendation is if you aren't sure, try it out and see what you think. You only need one physical copy and one digital copy, so it's a lower-priced experiment.
If you do, please reply and tell us what you discovered!
Ich liebe es, Bücher zu lesen, deshalb bin ich aufgeregt.
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