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.

Finally Seen

by Kelly Yang

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Family, Immigration

Tags Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction, Arts & Culture, Realistic Fiction

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Finding Junie Kim

by Ellen Oh

Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Hate & Anger, Memory, Language, Mental Health, Coming of Age, The Past, Food, Family, Friendship, Grandparents, Immigration, War, Justice

Tags Children`s Literature, Military & War, Modern Classic Fiction, World History, Historical Fiction, Mental Illness, Realistic Fiction, Korean War

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Finding Langston

by Lesa Cline-Ransome

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Literature, Coming of Age, Music, Appearance & Reality, Family

Tags Historical Fiction, Children`s Literature, World History

Finding Langston, Lesa Cline-Ransome’s debut novel for middle-grade readers, is the story of an 11-year-old boy named Langston who loses his home but finds himself. The book received numerous accolades following its publication in 2018, including the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction. In 2020 Cline-Ransome published Leaving Lymon, a companion novel to Finding Langston that tells the story of Langston’s bully Lymon. This study guide refers to the 2018 Holiday House edition.Plot SummaryFinding Langston... Read Finding Langston Summary

Finding My Way

by Malala Yousafzai

Publication year 2025

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Fame, Love, Coming of Age, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Hope, Gender Identity, Mental Health, Place, Family, Marriage, Self Discovery, Education, Nation, Politics & Government, Equality

Tags Memoir & Autobiography

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Fireborne

by Rosaria Munda

Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Memory, Revenge, Coming of Age, Self Discovery, Social Class, Nation, Politics & Government, War, Justice, Order & Chaos

Tags Fantasy, Romance, Science Fiction

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Fire from the Rock

by Sharon M. Draper

Publication year 2007

Genre Book, Fiction

Themes Race, Coming of Age, Community

Tags Historical Fiction, Race & Racism, Black Lives Matter, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Realistic Fiction, World History

Fire from the Rock is a 2007 novel by American author Sharon Draper. The book was named a 2008 Notable Social Studies Committee Trade Book for Young People and was among the 2008 New York Public Library Best Books for the Teen Age. Fire from the Rock is a work of historical fiction that follows 15-year-old Sylvia Patterson as she and her family navigate the tension in Little Rock, Arkansas, in the months leading up... Read Fire from the Rock Summary

Flamer

by Mike Curato

Publication year 2020

Genre Graphic Novel/Book, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Sexual Identity

Tags LGBTQ+, Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age, Relationships

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Flashlight

by Susan Choi

Publication year 2025

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Fear, Forgiveness, Loneliness, Memory, Language, Mental Health, Race, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Midlife, Death, Place, Family, Marriage, Community, Immigration

Tags Coming of Age

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Flawed

by Cecelia Ahern

Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Community, Justice, Family

Tags Science Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Coming of Age, Modern Classic Fiction

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Fledgling

by Octavia E. Butler

Publication year 2005

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Science & Technology, Hate & Anger, Coming of Age, Family, Self Discovery, Memory

Tags Fantasy, Horror & Suspense, Coming of Age, African American Literature, Science Fiction, Religion & Spirituality

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Flight

by John Steinbeck

Publication year 1938

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Masculinity, Environment, Coming of Age

Tags Coming of Age, Grief & Death, Education, Education, Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction

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Flock

by Kate Stewart

Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Love, Shame & Pride, Sexual Identity, Coming of Age, Fathers, Self Discovery, Social Class, Power & Greed, Truth & Lies

Tags Romance, Modern Classic Fiction

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Football Genius

by Tim Green

Publication year 2007

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Masculinity, Coming of Age, Hate & Anger, Teamwork, Fathers

Tags Sports, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Realistic Fiction

Football Genius is a middle grade sports fiction novel by former NFL player Tim Green. A graduate of Syracuse University’s College of Law, Green played in the NFL for eight seasons before turning his focus towards broadcasting, law, business, and creative writing. In the novel, protagonist Troy White discovers an almost supernatural ability to predict football plays, wrestles with his father’s abandonment, and pushes back against the nepotism and bullying on his own high school... Read Football Genius Summary

For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow is Enuf

by Ntozake Shange

Publication year 1975

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Race, Femininity, Coming of Age

Tags Poetry: Dramatic Poem, Drama, Gender & Feminism, Race & Racism, Women`s Studies, Dramatic Literature, Classic Fiction

A choreopoem is a work of art that combines dance, music, and poetry. Because the medium focuses as much on nonverbal communication as the written word, choreopoems are performance pieces. Ntozake Shange originated this format in 1974, when for colored girls who have considered suicide/ when the rainbow is enuf debuted in San Francisco, California. Later, the choreopoem made its Broadway debut in December 1976, a move that Shange describes as “either too big for... Read For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow is Enuf Summary

Foul Trouble

by John Feinstein

Publication year 2013

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Future, Appearance & Reality, Friendship, Teamwork, Fame, Wins & Losses

Tags Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction, Sports, Modern Classic Fiction, Action & Adventure

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