The Great Gatsby

Cover of Meet the Classics: The Great Gatsby, retold by Sean Lee, with Daisy, Gatsby, Nick and friends at a glittering evening party

Meet the Classics

The Great Gatsby

Based on the 1925 novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, retold by Sean Lee for ages 6–9

Ages 6–9, 72 pages

Nick’s mysterious new neighbor, Jay Gatsby, throws the most dazzling parties on Long Island, all in the hope of seeing one special person again.

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Peek inside the book The Great Gatsby for Kids: A Parent’s Guide The Great Gatsby summary for kids

Peek Inside

Nick stands on his cottage porch at night, looking toward a figure on the neighboring lawn — It was late when I drove home to my quiet little cottage. The night was peaceful and still. The cool salt air felt good after such a tense dinner. I stood on my wooden porch under the lantern light. Frogs croaked softly in the grass. Suddenly, I saw a tall figure step out of the shadows next door. The master of the great house walked quietly down toward the dark water, all alone.

Gatsby stands alone at the end of his marble dock, reaching toward a green light across the bay — I thought about calling out to greet my new neighbor, but something stopped me. The man walked to the very end of his marble dock. He stood there alone under the starry sky. Then he reached both arms out toward the dark, misty bay. Far across the water, a single tiny green light blinked on Daisy’s dock. The man seemed to reach for that distant light with all his heart.

Guests dance on Gatsby's lantern-lit lawn in front of his grand mansion — Every summer weekend, Gatsby’s big lawn became a magical place. Trumpets and violins played lively tunes in the warm air. Long tables were loaded with sweet fruit, hams, and sparkling punch. Bright paper lanterns glowed in the trees. Hundreds of guests arrived from the city in shiny cars. They danced on the green grass until late into the night. It was a wonderful sight to see.

Nick reads an invitation at the open iron gates of Gatsby's mansion — Most guests came to Gatsby’s parties without any invitation. But on Saturday morning, a driver in a neat blue uniform walked up my path. He bowed and handed me a crisp white note. It was a handwritten letter from Mr. Gatsby himself! He warmly invited me to his party that night. Holding the card with real pride, I walked through his tall iron gates. I felt honored to be one of the few invited guests.

Nick and Jordan Baker meet among the party guests by a fountain — The wide gardens were bustling with strangers, and I felt quite lost on my own. To my great relief, I spotted Jordan Baker standing by a crystal punch fountain. Her calm smile made me feel instantly at ease. “Have you seen our host?” I asked her hopefully. Jordan shook her head with a chuckle. “Nobody seems to know Mr. Gatsby,” she replied smoothly. “Let us go find him together.” Side by side, we strolled beneath glowing paper lanterns, searching for the mysterious gentleman.

Nick and Jordan explore Gatsby's tall library, where an owl-eyed guest sits on a ladder — We walked inside the mansion and found a grand library. Tall wooden shelves reached all the way to the ceiling. They were filled with thousands of leather books. A man with huge round glasses sat on a rolling ladder. He was staring at the shelves in wonder. “Look here!” he whispered, tapping an open page. “They are real books! I thought they would be fake cardboard props!” Jordan and I smiled as he put the heavy book back in place.

Meet the Characters

Character guide

Nick Carraway
Our thoughtful narrator
Jay Gatsby
The grand host and hopeful dreamer
Daisy Buchanan
Nick’s sweet cousin
Tom Buchanan
Daisy’s proud husband
Jordan Baker
Tournament golf champion
Myrtle Wilson
The lively neighbor
George Wilson
The quiet mechanic
Mr. Gatz
Gatsby’s loving father