Pagine1899–1974 · Dresden, Germany · also known as Erich Kastner
📖 Best for: Grades 3–5 (ages 8–11)
📖 Read 1 free · Erich Kästner books in order · Borrow free (Open Library & your library) · Free books like these
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Erich Kästner’s Emil and the Detectives (1929), about a boy and a gang of Berlin kids who catch a thief, was one of the first children’s novels set in a real modern city. Lottie and Lisa inspired The Parent Trap.
New to Erich Kästner? Start with Emil and the Detectives.
Erich Kästner’s books are under copyright, so Pagine doesn’t host them — but you can borrow every title below free. Tap Local library to see which libraries near you have it, Libby / OverDrive to borrow the ebook or audiobook with your library card, or Open Library for free online lending.
Most public libraries lend ebooks and audiobooks free with a library card — ask at the desk or sign up online.
Love Erich Kästner? Try these free books for grades 3–5 (ages 8–11) and up — no download, no cost.
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry · Tove Jansson · Hergé · René Goscinny · Jean de Brunhoff · Cornelia Funke · Michael Ende · Otfried Preußler · Janosch · Dick Bruna · Annie M. G. Schmidt · Leo Lionni · Gianni Rodari · Marcus Pfister · Hervé Tullet · Alf Prøysen · Jostein Gaarder · Korney Chukovsky · Eduard Uspensky
All European Children’s Authors → · Popular kids’ authors around the world →
Erich Kästner’s Emil and the Detectives (1929), about a boy and a gang of Berlin kids who catch a thief, was one of the first children’s novels set in a real modern city. Lottie and Lisa inspired The Parent Trap.
Emil and the Detectives is a great place to start; other favourites include Dot and Anton, The Flying Classroom, Lottie and Lisa.
Erich Kästner’s books are best for grades 3–5 (ages 8–11).
Erich Kästner’s books are still under copyright, so they are not free to download. You can borrow them free: from your public library (search WorldCat), as ebooks and audiobooks with a library card through Libby/OverDrive, or from Open Library’s free lending. Pagine links to each below, and suggests similar books you can read free right now.
Search WorldCat to see which libraries near you have a copy, or ask your school or public library. Most libraries also lend Erich Kästner ebooks and audiobooks free through the Libby app.