Coming-of-Age Journeys

Coming-of-age journeys, academically known as Bildungsromane, focus on the stories of young people embarking on the path to adulthood. These are stories of self-actualization, questions of identity, discoveries of shortcomings and strengths, and lessons learned. This collection of study guides covers classics to contemporary novels, from J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger to As Brave As You by Jason Reynolds.

Canyons

by Gary Paulsen

Publication year 1990

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Indigenous Identity, Race, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Death, Colonialism, Nation, Equality, Justice, Religion & Spirituality, Self Discovery

Tags Historical Fiction, Action & Adventure, Realistic Fiction, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Survival Fiction, Children`s Literature

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Captive Prince

by C. S. Pacat

Publication year 2013

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Hate & Anger, Revenge, Shame & Pride, Masculinity, Sexual Identity, Coming of Age, Future, The Past, Family, Friendship, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Social Class, Community, Nation, Politics & Government, War, Beauty, Fate, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Wins & Losses, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

Tags Fantasy, Love & Sexuality, Romance

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Carrie

by Stephen King

Publication year 1974

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Revenge, Memory, Coming of Age, Hate & Anger, Loneliness

Tags Horror & Suspense, Gothic Literature, Religion & Spirituality, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

Stephen King’s Carrie is a supernatural horror novel originally published in 1974—the fourth novel King wrote but the first he published. The work became a bestseller upon the release of its paperback edition, setting King’s career in motion, and continues to be highly regarded. In the 1990s schools frequently banned it for its violent content, depictions of sexuality, and portrayal of fundamentalist Christianity. Carrie has been adapted several times, most notably as a 1976 film... Read Carrie Summary

Catherine, Called Birdy

by Karen Cushman

Publication year 1994

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Femininity, Coming of Age, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Historical Fiction, Coming of Age, Religion & Spirituality, Social Class, Gender & Feminism, European History, British Literature, Medieval, Children`s Literature, World History, Humor

American author Karen Cushman’s middle grade novel, Catherine, Called Birdy, explores the life of a young woman in 13th-century England. Published in 1994, the book won the Newbery Honor the following year. It is currently being adapted for the screen by actor, writer, and director Lena Dunham. This detailed work of historical fiction immerses the reader in the very different world of medieval England, with its emphasis on religion as the organizing force behind daily... Read Catherine, Called Birdy Summary

Caucasia

by Danzy Senna

Publication year 1998

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age

Tags Race & Racism, Education, Education, World History, Historical Fiction

Danzy Senna’s debut coming-of-age novel Caucasia (1998) takes place in Boston, Massachusetts during the tumultuous Black Power Movement of the 1970s. It is the story of two mixed-race sisters, Birdie and Cole Lee, who have an African-American father and a white mother. In the beginning of the novel, Birdie tries to gain acceptance as black to fit in with her social circle and her family’s politics, but when she and her mother go on the... Read Caucasia Summary

Charlotte's Web

by E. B. White

Publication year 1952

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Death, Aging, Community, Safety & Danger, Friendship, Fate, Coming of Age, Animals, Childhood & Youth, Love, Grief, Fear, Loneliness, Gratitude

Tags Classic Fiction, Symbolic Narrative, Children`s Literature, Coming of Age, Animals, Education, Education, Fantasy

Charlotte’s Web was written by E. B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams, and first published in 1952. It is considered a quintessential American children’s fiction novel and has been adapted into two films (1973, 2006) and a stage musical. Over the years, Charlotte’s Web has been awarded the Newbery Honor Award for children’s books, the George C. Stone Center for Children’s Books Recognition of Merit Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, and the Massachusetts Children’s... Read Charlotte's Web Summary

Cheaper By The Dozen

by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr, Ernestine Gilbreth Carey

Publication year 1948

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Family, Joy, Love, Memory, Nostalgia, Femininity, Language, Mental Health, Sexual Identity, Coming of Age, The Past, Daughters & Sons, Fathers, Teamwork, Community, Education, Fame, Order & Chaos, Science & Technology

Tags Humor

Published in 1948, Cheaper by the Dozen is a humorous memoir by siblings Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey. The book chronicles their unconventional childhood in Montclair, New Jersey, as two of 12 children raised by parents who were pioneering efficiency experts. The authors’ father, Frank B. Gilbreth, treats the family home as a laboratory, applying the principles of scientific management and motion study to every aspect of domestic life, from bathing to... Read Cheaper By The Dozen Summary

Chinese Cinderella

by Adeline Yen Mah

Publication year 1999

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Coming of Age, Family, Conflict, Childhood & Youth

Tags Chinese Literature, Asian History, Education, Education, World History, Biography

Chinese Cinderella: The Secret Story of an Unwanted Daughter (1999) is the autobiography of Adeline Yen Mah and covers her experience growing up in an abusive household during a politically tumultuous era in Chinese history (1937-1952). Yen Mah, who now lives in the United States, made the decision to fulfill her childhood dreams of writing professionally after practicing medicine for several decades according to her father’s wishes. Chinese Cinderella is an abridged version of her... Read Chinese Cinderella Summary

Chomp

by Carl Hiaasen

Publication year 2012

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Animals, Environment, Family, Justice

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Humor, Action & Adventure, Realistic Fiction, Animals, Children`s Literature

Written in 2012 by Carl Hiaasen, Chomp is a young adult novel set in Hiaasen’s native Florida (specifically, Everglades National Park). Hiaasen, who began his career as a journalist, is the author of six other books for young readers (as well as numerous adult novels). Because his work blends humor with grim realism, Chomp features characters who are just as “bizarre” as their Florida setting. Primarily known for his crime fiction, Hiaasen also crafts stories... Read Chomp Summary

Christine

by Stephen King

Publication year 1983

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Safety & Danger, Conflict, Fear, Hate & Anger, Nostalgia, Femininity, Masculinity, Mental Health, Sexual Identity, Coming of Age, Death, Family, Friendship, Self Discovery, Social Class, Community, Beauty, Fate, Good & Evil, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

Tags Horror & Suspense, Fantasy, Mystery & Crime Fiction

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Circus Mirandus

by Cassie Beasley

Publication year 2015

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Family, Coming of Age, Death, Grandparents

Tags Fantasy, Magical Realism, Grief & Death, Children`s Literature

Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley is a middle-grade fantasy/magical realism novel about a young boy named Micah Tuttle who is struggling to come to terms with the impending death of his grandfather, Ephraim. Micah learns from Ephraim that Circus Mirandus, a fantastical traveling circus that Micah thought was a fictional story, is actually real. As Ephraim nears death, Micah and his friend Jenny go to Circus Mirandus to find the Lightbender, who owes Ephraim a... Read Circus Mirandus Summary

City of Ashes

by Cassandra Clare

Publication year 2008

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Family, Good & Evil, Power & Greed

Tags Fantasy, Romance, Science Fiction, Religion & Spirituality

City of Ashes (2008) by Cassandra Clare is the second novel in the six-part Mortal Instruments series. The book follows 16-year-old Clary Fray, who has recently discovered that she is not an ordinary mortal, but a Shadowhunter, part of a group who saves the world from demons. In City of Bones (2007) the first book of the series, Clary also learned that she is the daughter of rogue Shadowhunter Valentine Morgenstern and that her romantic... Read City of Ashes Summary

City Spies

by James Ponti

Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Gratitude, Joy, Loneliness, Revenge, Shame & Pride, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Death, Justice, Art, Good & Evil, Literature, Loyalty & Betrayal, Truth & Lies, Trust & Doubt, Science & Technology, Power & Greed, Safety & Danger, Teamwork, Family, Climate, Appearance & Reality, Environment, Self Discovery, Community, Wins & Losses, Friendship, Place, Order & Chaos

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Action & Adventure, Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction

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