The Catcher in the Rye facts for kids
First edition cover
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| Author | J. D. Salinger |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | E. Michael Mitchell |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Realistic fiction Coming-of-age fiction |
| Published | July 16, 1951 |
| Publisher | Little, Brown and Company |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 277 |
The Catcher in the Rye is a famous novel written by J. D. Salinger. It was first published in 1951. Even though it was first written for adults, many teenagers read it today.
The book explores important feelings and ideas. These include growing up, finding out who you are, fitting in, dealing with sadness, and connecting with others.
The story is about a young man named Holden Caulfield. He is sent home after being asked to leave his fancy school. Instead of going straight home, Holden takes a trip on his own. During this trip, he thinks about what to tell his family. He also wonders how to handle being kicked out of school. Holden tells the story himself, sharing his thoughts on many different things that happen to him. At the end of the book, we learn he is getting help for his feelings. He is telling his story to someone who helps him understand his thoughts.
Holden Caulfield has become a symbol for teenagers who feel like they don't fit in. Many young people feel like they understand Holden.
The Catcher in the Rye has been translated into many languages. About one million copies are sold every year. More than 65 million copies have been sold in total. The novel was named one of the best English-language novels since 1923 by Time magazine in 2005. It was also chosen as one of the 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century by Modern Library. In 2003, it was number 15 on the BBC's "The Big Read" survey.
Contents
How the Book Is Written
Many people who read the book say it sounds like real teenagers talked back then. The book uses many everyday words and phrases. Here are some examples:
- "Old" – a friendly way to talk to someone.
- "Phony" – acting fake to make others think something different.
- "That killed me" – meaning something was very funny or surprising.
- "I got a bang out of that" – meaning something was exciting or fun.
- "Chew the fat" or "chew the rag" – to have a casual chat.
- "Rubbering" or "rubbernecks" – looking around idly.
- "The can" – the bathroom.
- "Prince of a guy" – a good person (but sometimes used in a sarcastic way).
Some people do not like the book because it uses strong language often. Others think this language shows how frustrated Holden feels about life. Many young people, especially boys, feel a connection to the story and its language. They feel Holden would understand them. Because of this, many schools ask their students to read the book.
The Catcher in the Rye was not allowed in some places for a while. In 1981, it was the most talked about book that was not allowed in public schools in the United States. It was also the second most taught book.
Movies and Plays That Almost Happened
J. D. Salinger, the author, did not want his book to be made into a movie or play. He felt that his stories were not right for the screen.
Why No Movies?
When The Catcher in the Rye first came out, many people wanted to make it into a movie. Famous movie producers and actors tried to get the rights. However, Salinger always said no. He believed that Holden Caulfield's thoughts and feelings, which are so important in the book, could not be shown well in a movie.
Salinger once said that if he couldn't play Holden himself in a play, then it shouldn't be made. Many famous actors like Marlon Brando, Jack Nicholson, and Leonardo DiCaprio wanted to play Holden. But Salinger never changed his mind.
He wrote a letter in 1957 saying that the rights might be sold after he died. He said he would not have to see the movie if it was made then. He still felt the book was not good for a movie.
In 2020, it was even shared that Disney almost made an animated movie based on the book. It would have been about German shepherds instead of people! But Salinger had always refused to sell the rights.
A Fan Story That Was Stopped
In 2009, a year before Salinger passed away, he stopped a book from being published in the U.S. This book was a "fan sequel." A fan sequel is a story written by a fan that continues the original story. This book showed Holden Caulfield as an old man. Salinger sued to stop it because he owned the rights to his characters and story.
See also
In Spanish: The Catcher in the Rye para niños
