Tarzan of the Apes

Edgar Rice Burroughs's classic novel "Tarzan of the Apes," first published in 1914, tells the extraordinary story of John Clayton III, an English nobleman's son orphaned in the African jungle. Discovered and adopted by a female ape named Kala, he is raised among a tribe of great apes and given the name Tarzan, meaning "White Skin." Growing up, Tarzan struggles with his dual identity, torn between his primal ape family and the mysterious human heritage he senses within himself. His world is irrevocably altered with the arrival of a group of explorers, including the captivating American woman Jane Porter, the first white woman he has ever encountered. This seminal work delves into profound themes of identity, the clash between civilization and the wild, and the enduring debate of nature versus nurture, as Tarzan navigates his unique place between two worlds.

Reading ease score: 76.5 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.