Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Tale of telekinetic teen still packs a punch.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
Based on 27 kid reviews
Kids say this gripping and thought-provoking book is a must-read for teenagers, but it contains strong language, sexual content, and graphic violence that may not be suitable for younger audiences. Many reviewers commend its exploration of bullying and its consequences, while also noting the book's mature themes make it more appropriate for older teens.
- compelling narrative
- mature themes
- bullying consequences
- strong language
- graphic violence
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Everyone in the small Maine town of Chamberlain thinks Carrie White is odd, perhaps even worthy of their contempt. Her mother is a scary and abusive religious fanatic, and the teen has no friends. But Carrie is able to move objects with her mind, and after she's humiliated during gym class, her psychic powers ratchet up a notch or two. When she's invited to the prom by the most popular boy in school, she thinks it might be another joke on her. She and the residents of Chamberlain, however, have no idea what's in store for them on that fateful night.
Is It Any Good?
A modern classic of the supernatural, this slim, straight-ahead thriller has served as a template for countless inferior imitations. It's still the real deal, though: sharply observed, solidly constructed, and suspenseful despite the narrative's sense of inevitability.
Author Stephen King employs (fictional) newspaper reports, court transcripts, and personal memoirs to lend a sense of realism to the outlandish proceedings, and that strategy, in addition to the author's ability to create credible, sympathetic characters, works splendidly.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what it feels like to be a social outsider. Why are kids sometimes mean to others who are different from them? What is the meaning of the term "scapegoat"?
Why do you think Carrie is considered a horror classic? What other supernatural stories have you read and liked?
What can be done to prevent bullying? How should schools intervene when someone complains that he or she is being bullied?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , School ( High School )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Anchor Books
- Publication date : July 26, 1974
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
- Number of pages : 304
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate