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.

The Rock and The River

by Kekla Magoon

Publication year 2009

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Race, Coming of Age, Justice

Tags Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction, World History, Historical Fiction, Civil Rights & Jim Crow South, Race & Racism

The Rock and the River is a young adult historical fiction work that earned author Kekla Magoon the Coretta Scott King John Steptoe New Talent Award upon its publication in 2009. Set in the 1960s Civil Rights era, the story’s protagonist, Samuel Childs, is the son of a famous activist who worked alongside Dr. King and the brother of a teenager involved with a local Black Panther group. The tensions between the historical “passive resistance”... Read The Rock and The River Summary

The Room on Rue Amélie

by Kristin Harmel

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Love, Coming of Age, Friendship, Community, War, Safety & Danger, Emotions/Behavior: Courage

Tags Historical Fiction, World War II, Military & War, World History, French Literature, Romance

The Room on Rue Amélie (2018) is a historical fiction novel by American author Kristin Harmel. The novel follows the experiences of Ruby Henderson, an American immigrant in Paris, during World War II. Ruby eventually becomes involved in the French Resistance and forms a close friendship with Charlotte, whose Jewish identity leaves her vulnerable to persecution. Both women navigate the risks of resistance and the nature of love in a time of war. The novel... Read The Room on Rue Amélie Summary

The Ruins of Gorlan

by John Flanagan

Publication year 2004

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Death, Loyalty & Betrayal, Friendship, Safety & Danger, Coming of Age, Fame, Revenge, Memory, Childhood & Youth, The Past, Education, Animals, Fear, Good & Evil, War, Fathers, Perseverance, Conflict, Wins & Losses, Nation, Self Discovery

Tags Fantasy, Children`s Literature, Action & Adventure, Social Class

In The Ruins of Gorlan, a Medieval adventure-fantasy novel for middle-grade readers, young Will learns the arts of the secretive Ranger tracker-warriors and defends his kingdom against an evil baron. Released in 2004 by author John Flanagan, The Ruins of Gorlan won multiple awards, spawned the bestselling Ranger Apprentice book series, and has been published in 18 countries. A television adaptation is in the works.Following a long career in advertising, author Flanagan shifted to book... Read The Ruins of Gorlan Summary

The Scarlet Ibis

by James Hurst

Publication year 1960

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Siblings, Death, Plants, Environment, Coming of Age

Tags Dramatic Literature, Classic Fiction, American Literature, Education, Education, Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction

First published in The Atlantic in 1960, James Hurst’s “The Scarlet Ibis” won the magazine’s “Atlantic First” award. Frequently included in literature anthologies, Hurst’s tragic short story explores themes of pride, shame, and death within the context of coming of age.This guide refers to the 1960 version that appeared in The Atlantic as well as the brief biographical information included in that original publication.Content Warning: The source text uses outdated, offensive terms to describe people... Read The Scarlet Ibis Summary

The Scorpio Races

by Maggie Stiefvater

Publication year 2011

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Gender Identity, Coming of Age, Environment

Tags Fantasy, Romance, Action & Adventure

The Scorpio Races (2011) is a young adult fantasy romance novel by Maggie Stiefvater. It takes place on the small fictional island of Thisby. Each November, the majestic yet dangerous capaill uisce, or water horses, emerge from the water, and men capture and train them for the infamous Scorpio Races. Sean Kendrick, whose father died in the races when Sean was 10, has spent his life training horses and raising them for the wealthy Benjamin... Read The Scorpio Races Summary

The Sea of Trolls

by Nancy Farmer

Publication year 2004

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Coming of Age, Friendship, Self Discovery, Religion & Spirituality

Tags Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Action & Adventure, Mythology

Published in 2004, Nancy Farmer’s The Sea of Trolls is a middle grade historical fantasy novel that blends Norse mythology, Anglo-Saxon culture, and folklore into an adventurous quest narrative. The story follows Jack, an eighth-century Saxon boy who becomes the apprentice of a Druid bard. After Jack and his little sister, Lucy, are captured by Vikings, he must journey to Jotunheim, home of the ice trolls, to save Lucy from the wicked Viking queen, who... Read The Sea of Trolls Summary

The Secret Lion

by Alberto Alvaro Rios

Publication year 1984

Genre Short Story, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Social Class, Friendship

Tags Coming of Age, Symbolic Narrative

“The Secret Lion” first appeared in Alberto Álvaro Ríos’s first short story collection, The Iguana Killer, published in 1984. Ríos, an Arizona native and distinguished professor at Arizona State University for 35 years, is a poet and author whose works center on his experience growing up Latinx. His work is now largely considered classic Chicano literature. Ríos received the Latino Literary Hall of Fame award for his memoir, Capirotada, and was named Arizona’s inaugural poet... Read The Secret Lion Summary

The Shampoo Effect

by Jenny Jackson

Publication year 2026

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Love, Nostalgia, Regret, Shame & Pride, Sexual Identity, Birth, Coming of Age, Midlife, Place, Friendship, Community, Economics, Art, Fame, Loyalty & Betrayal, Trust & Doubt

Tags Literary Fiction, Domestic Fiction

... Read The Shampoo Effect Summary

The Shards

by Bret Easton Ellis

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Sexual Identity, Hate & Anger, Coming of Age, Gender Identity, Mental Health, Childhood & Youth, The Past, Social Class, Loyalty & Betrayal, Safety & Danger, Truth & Lies

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Psychological Fiction, LGBTQ+

... Read The Shards Summary

The Shoemaker's Wife

by Adriana Trigiani

Publication year 2012

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Love, Family, Fate, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Hope, Joy, Memory, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Midlife, Death, Future, The Past, Animals, Place, Marriage, Mothers, Self Discovery, Community, Economics, Immigration, Politics & Government, War, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Trust & Doubt

Tags Historical Fiction, Romance

... Read The Shoemaker's Wife Summary

The Sign of the Beaver

by Elizabeth George Speare

Publication year 1983

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Race, Coming of Age, Masculinity, Self Discovery, Colonialism

Tags Historical Fiction, Action & Adventure, Coming of Age, US History, Race & Racism, American Literature, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, World History, Classic Fiction

Published in 1983, The Sign of the Beaver is a historical adventure novel for middle grade readers written by Elizabeth George Speare. Based on a true story that took place in 1760s Colonial America, the book follows the adventures of a young English boy who, while living alone in the Maine wilderness, befriends a local Penobscot boy who teaches him how to survive. The experience changes his views of himself, his family and fellow colonists... Read The Sign of the Beaver Summary

The Skeleton Tree

by Iain Lawrence

Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Masculinity, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Death, Animals, Environment, Plants, Food, Objects & Materials, Fathers, Siblings, Self Discovery, Fate, Safety & Danger

Tags Action & Adventure, Survival Fiction, Children`s Literature, Realistic Fiction

... Read The Skeleton Tree Summary