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.

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

... Read Flamer Summary

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

... Read Flashlight Summary

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

... Read Flawed Summary

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

... Read Fledgling Summary

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

... Read Flight Summary

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

... Read Flock Summary

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

... Read Foul Trouble Summary

Framed!

by James Ponti

Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Family, Friendship, Teamwork, Justice, Safety & Danger

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

... Read Framed! Summary

Frankly in Love

by David Yoon

Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Race, Immigration, Self Discovery, Truth & Lies, Friendship, Family, Love, Coming of Age

Tags Coming of Age, Romance, Asian Literature, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

Frankly in Love is a coming-of-age novel written by David Yoon and published in 2019 by Penguin Young Readers, Putnam. The story revolves around Frank Li, a Korean American teenager torn between his American identity and the traditional expectations of his Korean parents. With its engaging storyline and exploration of cultural identity, Frankly in Love tackles themes of love, family expectations, and self-discovery. David Yoon’s writing skillfully portrays the complexities of Frank’s experiences as he... Read Frankly in Love Summary

Freaky Friday

by Mary Rodgers

Publication year 1972

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Conflict, Self Discovery, Love, Coming of Age, Gender Identity, Childhood & Youth, Mothers, Siblings, Beauty

Tags Fantasy, Humor, Children`s Literature, Coming of Age

... Read Freaky Friday Summary

Freedom

by Jonathan Franzen

Publication year 2010

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Family, Loyalty & Betrayal, Forgiveness, Love, Friendship

Tags Realistic Fiction, Grief & Death, Love & Sexuality, Parenting, US History, American Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

IntroductionFreedom is a 2010 novel by American author Jonathan Franzen. The story focuses on the Berglunds, a dysfunctional family living in Minnesota. The novel examines themes of family, freedom, depression, addiction, marriage, and more. Freedom was a selection for Oprah’s book club and won great critical acclaim.Content warning: This guide contains references to alcohol addiction and rape, which are discussed in the source text. Plot Summary The book unfolds across four parts. Part 1, “Good... Read Freedom Summary

Fresh Ink

by Lamar Giles

Publication year 2018

Genre Short Story Collection, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Hate & Anger, Love, Gender Identity, Indigenous Identity, Race, Sexual Identity, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Self Discovery, Community, Immigration, Justice

Tags Fantasy, Romance, Realistic Fiction, LGBTQ+, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read Fresh Ink Summary

Frindle

by Andrew Clements

Publication year 1996

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Language, Education, Community, Coming of Age, Childhood & Youth, Literature, Conflict

Tags Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction, Humor, Modern Classic Fiction, Education, Education

Frindle is a 1996 middle grade novel by children’s author Andrew Clements, illustrated by Brian Selznick. The story follows a fifth-grade boy named Nick Allen who—both for fun and to exasperate his strict language arts teacher—creates a new word for pen: “frindle.” Nick’s new word captures more attention than he expected, and soon the entire country is engaged in a discussion about how people ought to use vocabulary. The novel explores themes about differing adult... Read Frindle Summary