The Bluest Eye
by Toni Morrison
- Lexile
- 920L
- Grade range
- Grades 11–12
- Age range
- Ages 16–18
- Pages
- 224
- First published
- 1970
- Genre
- Literary Fiction
- ISBN-13
- 9780307278449
About this book
Pecola Breedlove, a young Black girl in 1940s Ohio, longs for blue eyes, believing they will make her loved. Morrison's debut novel is assigned in AP Literature and upper-level American Literature courses and is among the most frequently banned books in US public schools since 2022.
Themes
- racism
- beauty standards
- trauma
- childhood
- family violence
Content notes
- sexual abuse
- incest
- racial violence
- self-hatred
Common Sense Media recommends age 16+.
Where this book is assigned
AP English Literature & Composition
- required· 12th gradesource: AP Lit — frequently cited FRQ3 text
Common Core State Standards (ELA)
- recommended· 12th grade · Ohiosource: Ohio Learning Standards grade 12 aligned text (Ohio setting)
IB Diploma Programme — English A: Literature
- recommended· 12th gradesource: IB DP English A Literature Prescribed Reading List
Similar grade-level books
Common questions
- What grade level is The Bluest Eye?
- The Bluest Eye is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 11–12, with a Lexile measure of 920L. Specific grade placement varies by curriculum — AP Literature and IB English Literature typically use it in grades 11-12.
- What is the Lexile level of The Bluest Eye?
- The Bluest Eye has a Lexile measure of 920L according to MetaMetrics. Lexile measures text complexity, not content maturity — check the grade range and content notes separately for age-appropriateness.
- What curricula assign The Bluest Eye?
- The Bluest Eye appears on reading lists for AP English Literature & Composition, Common Core State Standards (ELA), IB Diploma Programme — English A: Literature. Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.
- Is The Bluest Eye banned in schools?
- The Bluest Eye has documented removals from at least one public-school district in 8 states (TX, MO, FL, PA, TN, UT, SC, VA) per PEN America's Index of School Book Bans 2022-2024. Policies vary by district.
- What themes does The Bluest Eye explore?
- Central themes in The Bluest Eye include racism, beauty standards, trauma, childhood, family violence. These themes match how the book is discussed in most curriculum guides and AP Literature prompts.