The Catcher in the Rye
by J.D. Salinger
- Lexile
- 790L
- Grade range
- Grades 9–12
- Age range
- Ages 14–18
- Pages
- 277
- First published
- 1951
- Genre
- Literary Fiction
- ISBN-13
- 9780316769174
About this book
Sixteen-year-old Holden Caulfield narrates two days in Manhattan after being expelled from his fourth boarding school. His restless, often bitter voice — and his attempts to avoid what he calls the phoniness of the adult world — made the book a defining American novel of adolescence. It has been both celebrated for its portrayal of teenage alienation and frequently challenged in school districts.
Themes
- alienation
- adolescence
- mental health
- innocence
- grief
- identity
Content notes
- profanity (strong)
- references to sex work
- depression
- alcohol and smoking
- grief over child's death
Common Sense Media recommends age 15+.
Where this book is assigned
AP English Literature & Composition
- recommended· 11th gradesource: AP Lit representative text list
Common Core State Standards (ELA)
- recommended· 11th grade · Californiasource: CA CCSS ELA aligned reading
- recommended· 11th grade · New Yorksource: NY Next Gen Learning Standards aligned reading
Similar grade-level books
Common questions
- What grade level is The Catcher in the Rye?
- The Catcher in the Rye is most commonly assigned in US schools in grades 9–12, with a Lexile measure of 790L. 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 Catcher in the Rye?
- The Catcher in the Rye has a Lexile measure of 790L 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 Catcher in the Rye?
- The Catcher in the Rye appears on reading lists for AP English Literature & Composition, Common Core State Standards (ELA). Each assignment on this site links to its primary-source citation.
- Is The Catcher in the Rye banned in schools?
- The Catcher in the Rye has documented removals from at least one public-school district in 5 states (TX, MO, FL, SC, UT) per PEN America's Index of School Book Bans 2022-2024. Policies vary by district.
- What themes does The Catcher in the Rye explore?
- Central themes in The Catcher in the Rye include alienation, adolescence, mental health, innocence, grief. These themes match how the book is discussed in most curriculum guides and AP Literature prompts.