Great Gatsby
F. Scott Fitzgerald
Great Gatsby
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
a Graphic Novel Adaptation
by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is very intense with mature or graphic material.
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About This Book
What if a mysterious millionaire threw dazzling parties every weekend just to win back a lost love? Imagine the glittering lights and secret whispers hiding truth, jealousy, and danger beneath the surface. But when dark secrets start to unravel, how far will dreams and obsession take you?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This graphic novel adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic explores themes of wealth, obsession, and social divisions through vivid watercolor illustrations and an inventive narrative style. Aimed at teens, it addresses mature topics including domestic violence, stalking, alcohol abuse, hate speech, and gun violence, with a sad and complex ending. Parents should be aware of these intense themes and the nuanced portrayal of flawed characters when considering this book for their teens.
Why we rated Great Gatsby 11VS
Great Gatsby is written at a Level 6 reading level across 240 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Great Gatsby works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Great Gatsby as 11VS ("Vivid — Social") because the content sits in the "Very Intense" range — very intense or graphic content — peril, violence, trauma, or mature themes treated head-on. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Domestic Violence, Stalking, Alcohol Abuse, Cheating, Hate Speech, Antisemitism, Sad Ending, Car Accident, Gun Violence.
Thematically, Great Gatsby explores class and social power, obsession, love and betrayal, coming of age, and classic literature adaptation — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about class and social power, obsession, love and betrayal.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 13+ — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11VS — Vivid — SocialGraphic or sustained depictions of trauma, violence, or mature content.
Content Flags
Was our "Very Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781536213010
- Pages
- 240
- Publisher
- Candlewick
- Published
- 2021
- Type
- Fiction