Is The Catcher in the Rye an appropriate book for an eigth grader?

It depends on the 8th grader. The book has been banned consistently over the years but when I read this in high school--I was so disappointed that it wasn't all this terrible as "everyone" had warned. I thought it was a bit boring, but many other people found the protagonist sympathetic and really related to his confusion and anger about life. The quickest way to sum up the main character and his adolescent angst is :

Holden Caulfied = EMO

Here is a summary of the plot (watch out for spoilers!)

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/catcher/summary.html

It's a classic. Read it. After all, it was on a recommended list from your teacher.

I read it as a freshman and I really liked it but I was in an honors class so I don't know if you'll fully understand everything. I would read it and if you need help look it up on sparknotes for tips. It's not really appropriate since is has tons of swearing but you should be able to understand the main plot.

I think it's fine for you to read it, it's just that he so depressed and boring that it might be hard for you to relate until you are a little older. Just read a chapter and see what you think.

Yeah, it's appropriate :) Great book