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The Catcher in the Rye

(1965, Fiction - Literary Fiction, Written by J. D. Salinger)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    One of the greatest novels of the 20th century.

Themes in this book include:   growing up
updated 09.25.09

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–15

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Shows the world as cruel, lonely, and uncaring to the main character and that there isn't support for someone who's life is unraveling.
  • Role models:

    Holden is on the verge of a breakdown, and behaves bizarrely at times, including lying quite a bit. He runs away from school and lives on his own in New York City for several days.
  • Violence:

    Holden is punched several times, and remembers a boy at his boarding school who committed suicide by jumping out a window.
  • Sex:

    Nothing explicit, but many sexual references: Holden thinks, worries about, and talks about sex frequently, and believes some of his teen friends to have had sex. In one scene out of loneliness he agrees to have a prostitute visit his hotel room, but then only wants to talk to her and ends up humiliated. In another he sees a couple engaged in foreplay, and a man dressing up in women's clothes. An admiring reference to a boy who lost his virginity at 14.
  • Language:

    Near constant mild to moderate swearing, with a few instances of the f-word.
  • Consumerism:

    Some places and products mentioned, many of which no longer exist.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Nearly everyone in this story drinks mixed drinks and smokes, both to excess. Holden gets quite drunk in one scene.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Catcher in the Rye

Parents need to know that this book is chock full of mild to moderate swearing, and "f--k" is used several times. There are also lots of sexual references, and everyone smokes and drinks -- including the underage protagonist. Holden refers to homosexuals as "flits." Still, it's an American classic that everyone should read.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the ways in which the content of the book, which is set in New York City in the early 1950s, might be considered dated by today's standards. How are Holden's experiences different from those of a modern teenager? If there are differences, are there also things in Holden's world that have largely stayed the same in terms of teenage life?
  • Do you relate to Holden in any way? Do you admire him, or do you pity him? Or is it a little of both?
  • Why do you think this book is considered so important -- and why do you think it's been one of the most frequently challenged books when it comes to censorship?

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Our Members Say

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See all 33 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title iffy for age 16 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    Just don't

    I honestly hated this book. It ended just as abruptly as it started. I would not suggest this book to anyone. It is depressing and full of profanity.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 5.0

  3. Adult Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    For older teens

    Poor Holden is a depressing character that I want to help get better. No one seems to care about his behavior to help him.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    Unbelievable

    This is such a disappointing piece of work. I am all for self expression through literature but one has absolutely no need for revolting profanity an continuous sexual reference to do so. Catcher in the Rye is a highly unenjoyable piece and I wish I hadn't been forced to read it through my school's curriculum. What a waste.

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 4.0

    Nostalgia

    Remember the past… Imagine you were a child, what kind of life did you have? What kind of childhood did you have? Do you remember? The book The Catcher In The Rye runs through a variety of experiences that you could have experienced. It starts out with an average 15-year-old boy who is our protagonist. He gets kicked out of school. He had decided to go back home, along the way meeting a few quirky characters that you may have met. The book is aimed at teenagers of this time or people who would have had a similar childhood. Readers would be allowed to compare their childhood to this. Teenagers would be able to see the hardships of earlier years and what they could or have already experienced could be examined. The story itself has a strong alcohol and smoking influence. Parents who would want to teach their kids to act responsible with the 2 factors are advised to read the book. Teen family issues are also addressed, as the protagonist does not want the parents to know about him getting kicked out. Whether this is an issue or is relevant to teenage pride today is your own opinion. Holden has a lot of ideas on society at the time, about language and phonies. Holden says most of this directly “… With Dr Thurmer some weeks ago. They’re Grand people”. “… Grand. There’s a word I really hate. It’s a phony.” The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger runs through the basic stereotypical ideas of a teenage life. The story stars off slow, but it grows stronger in the middle till the end. It is a good read.

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