Salinger, J. D. (1951). The Catcher in the Rye.
New York: Little, Brown and Company ISBN 0316769533
Plot Summary
Holden Caufield is a 16-year-old who is set to begin his Christmas break in just a few days. A series of events involving losing the fencing teams equipment on the subway, fighting his roommate over a girl's reputation, and his not being allowed back at Pensey Prep after the break compel Holden to adventure around New York City not wanting to show up at home before expected. He meets with teachers, girls he has dated, and several strangers. Becoming more and more depressed with each encounter, he arrives at home to the delight of his younger sister and seems happy, but things do not end well for Holden.
Critical Evaluation
This book is frequently cited when discussing modern teenage characters that are angsty and depressed. Nowhere else is there such a perfect portrayal of adolescent misanthropy, one that teens can easily identify with, even if they don't want to. The frame of the novel, with Holden admitting to being in a mental facility, colors every interaction he has over the course of the novel, with the reader wondering how this maybe affected his breakdown. At the end, his supposed happiness is measured by the reader, knowing this is even closer to his breakdown.
Reader's Annotation
After being expelled, Holden Caufield spends a few days navigating the phonies of New York before attempting to come home.
Author Information
Jerome David Salinger was born on New Year's Day 1919 in New York City. He attended a nearby private school as a kid, but being Jewish, felt pressure to fit in and went by "Jerry." He graduated from Valley Forge Military Academy, and later attended New York University before dropping out and traveling to Vienna to learn about meat-importing at his father's behest only to return a few months later.
Salinger was drafted into the army during World War Two, seeing much combat and meeting Ernest Hemingway, with whom he maintained correspondence. After returning home, Salinger continued to write stories as he had done for years prior to the war. He eventually published a handful of short stories and The Catcher in the Rye, after which he became slowly more reclusive until he essentially cut off all public contact for the last several decades of his life. Salinger passed away quietly in 2010.
Salinger was drafted into the army during World War Two, seeing much combat and meeting Ernest Hemingway, with whom he maintained correspondence. After returning home, Salinger continued to write stories as he had done for years prior to the war. He eventually published a handful of short stories and The Catcher in the Rye, after which he became slowly more reclusive until he essentially cut off all public contact for the last several decades of his life. Salinger passed away quietly in 2010.
Genre
Fiction, adult title crossover
Curriculum Ties
Reading and Language Arts
Booktalking Ideas
As Holden's sister Phoebe, anticipate seeing your brother on the first day of his break and compare expectations to how Holden seems when he arrives.
Reading Level/Interest Age
The Catcher in the Rye ranked a 790L on the Lexile Range, with teens of all ages showing interest.
Challenge Issues
Language, sexual situations, homosexuality, and prostitution are all addressed.
If
challenged, I would first suggest being familiar with the work in
order to speak about it directly. Then, listen the challenger's
complaint, show them to positive reviews, and refer to the collection
policy, stating a need to include a variety of works that may not be
suitable for all, but should contain something for everyone. As a
last resort, turn to the ALA Bill of Rights or First Amendment
defense, but try not to let things get there; listen and reassure the
patron.
Reason Selected
This is the classic adult cross-over title that all other edgy teen books eventually draw comparisons to. Not including it would be an oversight.
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