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.

Empire of the Sun

by J. G. Ballard

Publication year 1984

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, War, Colonialism

Tags Historical Fiction, Life-Inspired Fiction, Military & War, World War II, World History, Chinese Literature, Japanese Literature, Classic Fiction

Empire of the Sun is a 1984 novel written by British author J.G. Ballard. In it, Jim, the 11-year-old son of a wealthy British family, is living in the International Settlement in Shanghai, China on the eve of Pearl Harbor, 1941. When Japanese forces attack the Settlement, Jim is separated from his parents. He survives for several weeks by scavenging food from abandoned houses, before being arrested by the Japanese. He is then taken to... Read Empire of the Sun Summary

Enchantra

by Kaylie Smith

Publication year 2025

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Love, Gender Identity, Coming of Age, Family, Siblings, Self Discovery

Tags Fantasy, Romance, Horror & Suspense, Gothic Literature

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Equus

by Peter Shaffer

Publication year 1973

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fear, Grief, Guilt, Loneliness, Shame & Pride, Masculinity, Mental Health, Sexual Identity, Coming of Age, Fathers, Self Discovery, Religion & Spirituality

Tags British Literature, Psychology, Drama, Love & Sexuality, Mental Illness, Religion & Spirituality

Equus is a psychological drama that delves into the complex mind of Alan Strang, a 17-year-old boy who blinds six horses in a fit of passion. The play unfolds through the perspective of Dr. Martin Dysart, a psychiatrist who attempts to understand Alan’s actions, leading to a profound exploration of religion, sexuality, and the nature of mental and emotional wellness. It was inspired by a true story of religious mutilation of horses near Suffolk. It... Read Equus Summary

Esperanza Rising

by Pam Muñoz Ryan

Publication year 2000

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Immigration, Coming of Age

Tags Historical Fiction, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Realistic Fiction, World History, Arts & Culture, Poverty, Social Class

Pam Muñoz Ryan is the award-winning author of over 40 books for new readers, middle-grade students, and young adults. Esperanza Rising (2000) is one of her most popular works and was honored with the 2001 Southern California Judy Lopez Award and the 2001 Arizona Young Adult Book Award. It also became a 2001 Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist. Other titles by the same author include Riding Freedom (1998), Becoming Naomi Léon (2004), Paint the... Read Esperanza Rising Summary

Everything Sad Is Untrue

by Daniel Nayeri

Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Religion & Spirituality, Immigration, Place, Coming of Age, Siblings, Memory, Daughters & Sons, Mothers, Fathers, Childhood & Youth, Animals, The Past, Love, Shame & Pride, Education, Marriage, Perseverance, Politics & Government, Nation, Truth & Lies, Nostalgia, Hope, Loneliness, Grandparents

Tags Life-Inspired Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Immigration & Refugeeism, Middle Eastern History, Children`s Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

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Exit Strategy

by Martha Wells

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Space, Conflict, Perseverance, Loneliness, Memory, Language, Mental Health, Coming of Age, Future, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Community, Economics, Equality, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Science & Technology

Tags Science Fiction, Action & Adventure

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Fablehaven

by Brandon Mull

Publication year 2006

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Death, Place, Safety & Danger, Siblings, Coming of Age, Childhood & Youth, Animals, Family, Environment, Fear, Music, Gender Identity, Appearance & Reality, Conflict, Grandparents

Tags Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Children`s Literature, Magical Realism

Fablehaven was written by Brandon Mull (also known for The Candy Shop War and its sequels) and first published in 2006. It is the first in a series about an ecological preserve for magical creatures. In the novel, middle-school-aged siblings Kendra and Seth take a trip to their grandparents’ land in rural Connecticut, which they soon realize is hiding magic of all types. The siblings explore the magical world they have discovered while learning how... Read Fablehaven Summary

Fahrenheit-182

by Mark Hoppus

Publication year 2025

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Conflict, Perseverance, Forgiveness, Gratitude, Guilt, Hope, Loneliness, Nostalgia, Shame & Pride, Masculinity, Mental Health, Coming of Age, Death, Appearance & Reality, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Art, Music

Tags Memoir & Autobiography

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Fair Weather

by Richard Peck

Publication year 1978

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Coming of Age, Self Discovery, Social Class

Tags Historical Fiction, Humor

Fair Weather is a 2001 historical fiction novel set against the backdrop of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. The author is award-winning children’s novelist Richard Peck, known for his incorporation of historical settings and events. Fair Weather follows 13-year-old Rosie Beckett, her two siblings, and her grandfather as they journey from their rural Illinois farm to the bustling city of Chicago, at the invitation of Rosie’s Aunt Euterpe. Through Rosie’s eyes over the course of... Read Fair Weather Summary

Fake ID

by Lamar Giles

Publication year 2014

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Truth & Lies, Trust & Doubt, Safety & Danger, Race, Coming of Age, Family, Social Class, Community

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Coming of Age, Bullying, Trauma & Abuse, Grief & Death, Race & Racism, Education, Modern Classic Fiction, Action & Adventure

Originally published in 2014, Fake ID is a mystery/thriller novel written by Lamar Giles and intended for young adults. The narrator and main character is Nick Pearson, a 15-year-old who has just moved to Stepton, Virginia, becoming a Black student in a predominantly white setting. Nick and his family are in the Federal Witness Protection Program (WITSEC). Unintentionally, he finds himself involved in a love triangle and a mysterious murder.As a Black author, Giles is... Read Fake ID Summary

Fake Skating

by Lynn Painter

Publication year 2025

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Loneliness, Coming of Age, The Past, Appearance & Reality, Friendship, Self Discovery, Community, Wins & Losses, Trust & Doubt

Tags Romance, Sports, Contemporary Literature

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Fallen

by Lauren Kate

Publication year 2009

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Love, Coming of Age, The Past, Appearance & Reality, Self Discovery, Fate, Good & Evil, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Fantasy, Romance

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Famous Last Words

by Katie Alender

Publication year 2007

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Grief, Guilt, Gender Identity, Mental Health, Coming of Age, Self Discovery, Good & Evil, Power & Greed, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Romance, Fantasy

Famous Last Words (2014) is a young adult supernatural thriller by Katie Alender, an acclaimed American author known for her work in the paranormal young adult genre, including the Bad Girls Don’t Die series and Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer. Drawing on her background as a graduate of the Florida State University Film School, Alender sets the novel in a version of Hollywood where cinematic history provides a blueprint for contemporary murder. The story follows teenager... Read Famous Last Words Summary

Fangirl

by Rainbow Rowell

Publication year 2013

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Love, Mental Health, Family, Literature, Community

Tags Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age, Relationships, Romance, New Adult

Fangirl is a 2013 contemporary young adult novel by Rainbow Rowell. Rowell is an award-winning author whose novels depict relatable struggles in the contemporary world. Her most acclaimed contemporary young adult novels, Fangirl and Eleanor & Park, and her most acclaimed adult novel, Landline, are all set in and around her hometown of Omaha, Nebraska.Fangirl follows 18-year-old Cath Avery as she navigates identity, family, and romantic struggles in her first year at college. Her anxiety... Read Fangirl Summary

Fanny Hill

by John Cleland

Publication year 1748

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Love, Sexual Identity, Coming of Age, Self Discovery

Tags Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Love & Sexuality

Fanny Hill or, The Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure is an erotic novel by John Cleland, an 18th-century British author known for his eroticism. The novel was originally published in installments in 1748 and 1749, and Cleland was arrested in 1749 for obscene content in Fanny Hill. Fanny Hill is one of the most banned books in the history of the English language largely due to its pornographic nature, though the novel does not... Read Fanny Hill Summary

Farmer Boy

by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Publication year 1933

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Perseverance, Family, Good & Evil, Self Discovery, Childhood & Youth, Animals, Community

Tags Classic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Historical Fiction, Agriculture, Animals, US History, Parenting, Religion & Spirituality, Science & Nature, Coming of Age, World History

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