Second Fiddle

Intermediate 1500

Second Fiddle is a graded ELT / ESL reader at 1500 word level, for intermediate learners of English, written by Peter Viney. It follows the story of Sophie, who is touring South Africa in a British classical orchestra. She is the youngest member. After their conductor has a heart attack onstage, the famous Erich Von Hubert arrives to take charge of the orchestra. Why does a famous conductor travel on the bus with the orchestra? Why can’t Sophie take her precious cello on the bus? Van Hubert hates her friend Anna. He hates Paul, the main violinist. Then there are the tales of rhinos and elephants killed by poachers. What has that to do with the orchestra? Sophie and Anna visit a National Park and hear some stories about the poachers. They begin to suspect Van Hubert.