The Body

Fiction | Novella | YA | Published in 1982

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The Body

Genre: Fiction; novella; bildungsroman
Originally Published: 1982 (as part of the collection Different Seasons)
Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 720L; grades 10-12; college/adult
Structure/Length: 34 chapters; approximately 192 pages
Protagonist/Central Conflict: The Body is a coming-of-age novella that follows the adventures of four friends—Gordie, Chris, Teddy, and Vern—in the summer of 1960 in the fictional town of Castle Rock, Maine. The central conflict revolves around their quest to find the dead body of a missing boy named Ray Brower. As they embark on a journey through the woods, they encounter various challenges and obstacles, including personal demons and the harsh realities of their lives. The novella explores friendship, adolescence, loss of innocence, and the complexities of growing up.
Potential Sensitivity Issues: Death; violence; profanity; sex; loss of family members; trauma; child abuse; assault

Stephen King, Author

Bio: Born 1947; American author known as the "Master of Horror" for his prolific contributions to the horror and supernatural genres, including over 65 novels and novellas; spans a wide range of genres, including suspense, thriller, fantasy, and nonfiction
Other Works: Carrie (1974); The Shining (1977); The Dark Tower series (beginning with The Gunslinger, 1982); Pet Sematary (1983); It (1986); Dolores Claiborne (1992); Under the Dome (2009); Finders Keepers (2015); Fairy Tale (2022)