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.

In The Shadow Of The Banyan

by Vaddey Ratner

Publication year 2012

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Grief, Coming of Age

Tags Historical Fiction, Life-Inspired Fiction, Social Class, Asian History, Politics & Government, Social Justice, Vietnam War, Military & War, Asian Literature, World History, Arts & Culture

In the Shadow of the Banyan (2012) is a historical fiction novel by the Cambodian American author Vaddey Ratner. Set in the 1970s during the Cambodian genocide, the book’s perspective is from Raami, a seven-year-old girl and the daughter of a minor prince whose family is among the millions of Cambodians persecuted by the Khmer Rouge. While Raami’s story hews very closely to Ratner’s own real-life experiences, the author chose to write a work of... Read In The Shadow Of The Banyan Summary

Into the Beautiful North

by Luis Alberto Urrea

Publication year 2009

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age

Tags Action & Adventure, Coming of Age, Immigration & Refugeeism, Modern Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Travel Literature

Into the Beautiful North is an adventure story that parallels the plot of the Hollywood movie, The Magnificent Seven. Set in the village of Tres Camarones in Sinaloa, Mexico, the novel’s protagonist, nineteen-year-old Nayeli, notices that there are no men left in the village – they have all gone north for more opportunities and a better life. Fearing that the village will be taken over by bandidos, and with no real law enforcement or men... Read Into the Beautiful North Summary

Into the Wild

by Erin Hunter

Publication year 2003

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Coming of Age, Friendship, Self Discovery, Community, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed

Tags Fantasy, Animals, Action & Adventure, Relationships, Leadership, Children`s Literature

... Read Into the Wild Summary

Island of the Blue Dolphins

by Scott O'Dell

Publication year 1960

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Safety & Danger, Self Discovery, Place, Animals, Environment, Coming of Age, Loneliness, Perseverance

Tags Historical Fiction, Action & Adventure, Survival Fiction, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, World History, Classic Fiction

Originally published in 1960, Scott O’Dell’s Island of the Blue Dolphins is a middle grade historical fiction/adventure novel. Karana, the protagonist and narrator, is only 12 when hunters land on her peaceful island home and kill many of her people, including her father. When the remaining villagers leave the island in search of a safe place to rebuild their lives, she stays behind and must learn to survive on her own. O’Dell drew inspiration from... Read Island of the Blue Dolphins Summary

It's Kind of a Funny Story

by Ned Vizzini

Publication year 2006

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Mental Health, Friendship, Coming of Age

Tags Coming of Age, Mental Illness, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Psychology, Psychology, Romance

It’s Kind of a Funny Story was Ned Vizzini’s second Young Adult novel, published by Hyperion in 2006. It is a critically acclaimed Young Adult novel and coming-of-age story that was given a starred review by the American Librarians Association and adapted into a film of the same name (2010).Other work by this author includes the novel, Be More Chill.Content Warning: This novel and study guide include topics and themes that may be sensitive for... Read It's Kind of a Funny Story Summary

Iveliz Explains It All

by Andrea Beatriz Arango

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel/Book in Verse, Fiction

Themes Mental Health, Family, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fear, Forgiveness, Grief, Guilt, Hate & Anger, Loneliness, Race, Coming of Age, Death, Fathers, Grandparents, Mothers, Self Discovery, Safety & Danger

Tags Realistic Fiction, Mental Illness

... Read Iveliz Explains It All Summary

Jacob Have I Loved

by Katherine Paterson

Publication year 1980

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Forgiveness, Siblings, Coming of Age, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Historical Fiction, Coming of Age, Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, World History, Classic Fiction

Jacob Have I Loved (1980) is the seventh book published by acclaimed American author Katherine Paterson. Set in the 1940s on a tiny crab-fishing island in the Chesapeake Bay, the coming-of-age novel tells the story of teenager Sara Louise Bradshaw as she navigates her contentious relationship with her twin sister, Caroline, and seeks identity and purpose in her village. The novel explores the theme of sibling rivalry and religious struggles. Jacob Have I Loved won... Read Jacob Have I Loved Summary

Jason's Gold

by Will Hobbs

Publication year 1999

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Indigenous Identity, Coming of Age, Environment, Power & Greed

Jason’s Gold by Will Hobbs is a work of young adult historical fiction first published in 1990. Set in 1897, the story follows protagonist Jason Hawthorn, age 15, as he journeys to the Klondike goldfields in a quest for wealth. Jason’s path follows the most common routes used during the gold rush, and he meets a variety of allies and foes, both fictitious and historical. The story explores themes regarding The Transformational Power of Adventure... Read Jason's Gold Summary

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life

by Wendy Mass

Publication year 2006

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Fear, Grief, Joy, Fathers, Self Discovery, Family

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

Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass (Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 2006) is a realistic middle grade novel that follows best friends Jeremy and Lizzy on their quest to find the meaning and purpose of their lives as they try to unlock a gift from Jeremy’s late father. The book was nominated for several major awards, including the Nutmeg Book Award in Connecticut (2010) and the Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’... Read Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life Summary

Jesse

by Gary Soto

Publication year 1994

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Hope, Loneliness, Masculinity, Race, Family, Friendship, Community, War, Art, Coming of Age, Self Discovery, Social Class

Tags Realistic Fiction, Arts & Culture, Historical Fiction, Coming of Age, Agriculture, Social Class, US History, Poverty, Race & Racism, Social Justice, Vietnam War

... Read Jesse Summary

Johnny Tremain

by Esther Forbes

Publication year 1943

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Safety & Danger, Loyalty & Betrayal, Justice, War, Politics & Government, Self Discovery, Coming of Age, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage

Tags Historical Fiction, Children`s Literature, Action & Adventure, American Revolution, Education, Education, Military & War, World History, Classic Fiction

Originally published in 1943, Esther Forbes’s Johnny Tremain is a classic middle-grade historical fiction/adventure novel. After a prideful accident ends 14-year-old Johnny Tremain’s promising career as a silversmith, his search for a new trade leads to his direct involvement in the early events of the American Revolution. The novel won a Newbery Medal and explores themes of self-sacrifice, humility, and change. Citations in this study guide refer to the 2018 eBook edition released by Houghton... Read Johnny Tremain Summary