Song of Solomon (1994) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
Milkman Dead was born shortly after a neighborhood eccentric hurled himself off a rooftop in a vain attempt at flight. For the rest of his life he, too, will be trying to fly. With this brilliantly imagined novel, Toni Morrison transfigures the coming-of-age story as audaciously as Saul Bellow or Gabriel García Márquez. As she follows Milkman from his rustbelt city to the place of his family’s origins, Morrison introduces an entire cast of strivers and seeresses, liars and assassins, the inhabitants of a fully realized black world.
Adult • 1994 • 341 pages • Lexile 870L (roughly grades 4–5 reading difficulty)
Toni Morrison’s 1977 masterpiece is a complex, high-level literary exploration of African American life and heritage that is best suited for older teens and adults. The novel includes graphic themes such as the discovery of human remains, a child witnessing a father's murder, and depictions of domestic abuse and prolonged breastfeeding. Parents should also note instances of strong language, sexual sequences, and a plot centered around… Sign up for the full guide
Is Song of Solomon appropriate for kids?
Toni Morrison’s 1977 masterpiece is a complex, high-level literary exploration of African American life and heritage that is best suited for older teens and adults. The novel includes graphic themes such as the discovery of human remains, a child witnessing a father's murder… Read more — free account
Content severity in Song of Solomon
What happens in Song of Solomon, moment by moment
- p. 3 ⚔ Violence & Gore 6/10
- p. 13 ♥ Sex & Nudity 5/10
- p. 28 🔥 Mature Themes 3/10
Sex and nudity in Song of Solomon
The book contains several sexual encounters and mature situations that explore the complexities of desire and family dynamics. At age 12, Milkman is discovered being breastfed by his mother, Ruth Foster Dead, in a scene that highlights the character's stunted emotional development and gives him his nickname. His later long-term relationship with his cousin Hagar involves non-graphic sexual encounters, though the aftermath is characterized by intense obsession. There are also descriptions of Ruth's unusual…
Read more — free accountViolence and gore in Song of Solomon
Violence is frequent, often traumatic, and serves as a commentary on the systemic dangers faced by the Black community. It includes the cold-blooded murder of Macon Dead Sr. by white men, an insurance agent's suicide by jumping from a roof, and numerous mentions of domestic physical abuse, such as Macon Dead II striking Ruth. The plot centers on 'The Seven Days,' a secret group that kills white people in retaliation for racial murders, adding a layer of calculated, philosophical violence to the story. Characters…
Read more — free accountLanguage in Song of Solomon
Strong language is present, including the f-word, 'shit,' and various racial slurs used in both historical and period-authentic contexts to reflect the harsh realities of the characters' lives. The profanity is infrequent but impactful, used generally for character depth or during moments of extreme emotional intensity or racial tension. Words like 'nigger' appear during discussions of racial injustice and within the internal logic of the 'Seven Days' society. There are also instances of 'damn' and 'hell' used in…
Read more — free accountDrugs, alcohol, and smoking in Song of Solomon
Pilate and her family earn their living as bootleggers, though they are not depicted as heavy users. There are various scenes involving social drinking, and Milkman frequents dive bars where alcohol consumption is common.
Mature themes in Song of Solomon
Deeply mature themes including the legacy of slavery, racial trauma, the search for masculine identity, and the weight of family histories drive the narrative. The novel explores abandonment through the myth of 'flying Africans' and the physical reality of men leaving their families. Suicide and mental health crises are central to several characters' arcs, particularly in the opening scene with Robert Smith and the later decline of Hagar. The search for gold serves as a catalyst for a breakdown in friendship and…
Read more — free accountFrequently Asked Questions
Is Song of Solomon appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Song of Solomon is best for ages 17+. Toni Morrison’s 1977 masterpiece is a complex, high-level literary exploration of African American life and heritage that is best suited for older teens and adults. The novel includes graphic themes such as the…
What age rating does Song of Solomon have?
Books don't carry official age ratings. Song of Solomon is shelved by its publisher as Adult, but that's a marketing category, not a content rating — Bontent's own review of what's actually on the page puts it at ages 17+.
What reading level is Song of Solomon?
Song of Solomon is 341 pages and its reading level is Lexile 870L (roughly grades 4–5 reading difficulty). Bontent recommends it for ages 17+.
What is Song of Solomon about?
Toni Morrison’s 1977 masterpiece is a complex, high-level literary exploration of African American life and heritage that is best suited for older teens and adults. The novel includes graphic themes such as the discovery of human remains, a child witnessing a father's murder, and depictions of domestic abuse and…
Is there sex or nudity in Song of Solomon?
The book contains several sexual encounters and mature situations that explore the complexities of desire and family dynamics. At age 12, Milkman is discovered being breastfed by his mother, Ruth Foster Dead, in a scene that highlights the character's stunted…
How violent is Song of Solomon?
Violence is frequent, often traumatic, and serves as a commentary on the systemic dangers faced by the Black community. It includes the cold-blooded murder of Macon Dead Sr. by white men, an insurance agent's suicide by jumping from a roof, and numerous…
Is the language in Song of Solomon appropriate for kids?
Strong language is present, including the f-word, 'shit,' and various racial slurs used in both historical and period-authentic contexts to reflect the harsh realities of the characters' lives. The profanity is infrequent but impactful, used generally for…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking depicted in Song of Solomon?
Pilate and her family earn their living as bootleggers, though they are not depicted as heavy users. There are various scenes involving social drinking, and Milkman frequents dive bars where alcohol consumption is common.
What mature themes appear in Song of Solomon?
Deeply mature themes including the legacy of slavery, racial trauma, the search for masculine identity, and the weight of family histories drive the narrative. The novel explores abandonment through the myth of 'flying Africans' and the physical reality of…
Where can I read the full Song of Solomon parent guide?
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