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.

Skeleton Man

by Joseph Bruchac

Publication year 2001

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Indigenous Identity, Coming of Age, Animals, Appearance & Reality, Family, Safety & Danger

Tags Children`s Literature, Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Religion & Spirituality

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Sky Full of Elephants

by Cebo Campbell

Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Forgiveness, Grief, Guilt, Hate & Anger, Hope, Loneliness, Shame & Pride, Gender Identity, Masculinity, Mental Health, Race, Coming of Age, Future, The Past, Family, Fathers, Self Discovery, Community, Politics & Government, Justice

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Skyshade

by Alex Aster

Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Guilt, Loneliness, Love, Regret, Revenge, Coming of Age, Place, Self Discovery, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Fantasy, Romance

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Skyward

by Brandon Sanderson

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Space, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Shame & Pride, Coming of Age, Family, Teamwork, Social Class, Politics & Government, War

Tags Fantasy, Science Fiction, Action & Adventure

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Slam

by Nick Hornby

Publication year 2007

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Future, Coming of Age, Fathers

Tags Magical Realism, Coming of Age, Humor, British Literature, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

Slam (2007) is a young adult novel written by Nick Hornby. It tells the story of Sam Jones, a skateboarder who finds out that his girlfriend is pregnant when they are both 16 years old—his mother’s age when she had him. The novel explores themes such as Navigating Teenage Parenthood, How a Few Seconds Can Change Everything, and Relationships, Wisdom, and Growing Up.Nick Hornby is a renowned English writer known for his humorous fiction about... Read Slam Summary

Slay

by Brittney Morris

Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Femininity, Masculinity, Race, Coming of Age, Friendship, Self Discovery, Equality, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Safety & Danger

Tags Realistic Fiction, Science Fiction, Race & Racism, Sports, Modern Classic Fiction

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Slider

by Pete Hautman

Publication year 2017

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Disability, Coming of Age, Friendship, Wins & Losses

Tags Realistic Fiction, Humor, Food, Disability, Children`s Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

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Slob

by Ellen Potter

Publication year 2009

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Apathy, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Forgiveness, Grief, Hate & Anger, Loneliness, Memory, Regret, Revenge, Shame & Pride, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Trust & Doubt, Safety & Danger, Justice, Science & Technology, Equality, Truth & Lies, Wins & Losses, Appearance & Reality, Food, Gender Identity, Mental Health, Family, Siblings, Friendship, Mothers, Teamwork, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Self Discovery, Community, Education

Tags Modern Classic Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Humor, Children`s Literature, Coming of Age, Bullying, Grief & Death, Trauma & Abuse

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Slow Dance

by Rainbow Rowell

Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Memory, Nostalgia, Coming of Age, Midlife, The Past, Place, Friendship, Marriage

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

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Slugfest

by Gordon Korman

Publication year 2024

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Regret, Gender Identity, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Friendship, Teamwork, Community, Truth & Lies

Tags Sports, Children`s Literature

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Snoop

by Gordon Korman

Publication year 2025

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Trust & Doubt, Science & Technology, Coming of Age, Friendship, Community

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Children`s Literature

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Soldiers Heart

by Gary Paulsen

Publication year 1998

Genre Novella, Fiction

Themes War, Fear, Coming of Age

Tags Historical Fiction, American Civil War, Military & War, Mental Illness, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, US History, World History

Gary Paulsen’s young adult novel Soldier’s Heart: Being the Story of the Enlistment and Due Service of the Boy Charley Goddard in the First Minnesota Volunteers highlights a young soldier’s experience in the Civil War. Many of the novel’s plot events are based on historical records, as is the novel’s main character Charley, who is based on the actual soldier Charley Goddard. However, Paulsen takes liberties within the story and notes that parts of the... Read Soldiers Heart Summary

Soldier X

by Don L. Wulffson

Publication year 2003

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Guilt, Memory, Language, Race, Coming of Age, The Past, Friendship, War, Safety & Danger

Tags Historical Fiction, Action & Adventure, Military & War, World War II, Holocaust, Education, Education, World History

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