Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl seems to be a standard starting point for language learners. It is a kid's book but it is well enough written that adults like it. I read it in Spanish myself. Holes by Louis Sachar is another book like that which I enjoyed reading to my daughter when she was younger. I recommend that.

http://www.randomhousekids.com/brand/step-reading/step-4/ These books are good beginning readers used by native English speakers. Lots of vocabulary, simple grammar patterns, with short to medium length sentences.