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 Skin I'm In

by Sharon G. Flake

Publication year 1998

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Race, Self Discovery, Shame & Pride, Grief, Family, Coming of Age

Tags Realistic Fiction, Bullying, Race & Racism, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction

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The Son of Neptune

by Rick Riordan

Publication year 2011

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Death, Teamwork, Friendship, Fate, Safety & Danger, Coming of Age, Memory, Guilt, Objects & Materials, Good & Evil, Fathers, Perseverance

Tags Mythology, Fantasy, Children`s Literature, Action & Adventure

The Son of Neptune is the second novel in Rick Riordan’s The Heroes of Olympus series. Released in 2011, this novel continues the story begun in The Lost Hero, following Percy Jackson as he stumbles into the Roman demigod camp, Camp Jupiter, after losing his memory and eight months of his life. At the camp, Percy meets Hazel, daughter of Pluto, and Frank, son of Mars. Together, Percy, Hazel, and Frank are charged with a... Read The Son of Neptune Summary

The Stationery Shop

by Marjan Kamali

Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Forgiveness, Grief, Hope, Joy, Love, Memory, Nostalgia, Regret, Race, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Midlife, Death, Future, The Past, Family, Marriage, Self Discovery, Social Class, Community, Economics, Immigration, Politics & Government, War, Loyalty & Betrayal, Order & Chaos, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

Tags Historical Fiction, Middle Eastern Literature, Romance

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The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

by Jennifer E. Smith

Publication year 2012

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Love, Family, Coming of Age, Fathers, Marriage, Self Discovery, Fate

Tags Romance, Realistic Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction

Jennifer E. Smith’s The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight (2012) is one of nine books that she has written for young adults to date. In an interview with Buzz Magazine, Smith said, “I’m kind of obsessed with moments in time that act as hinges, days where there’s a really clear split between before and after—where yesterday, your life was one way, and tomorrow it will be entirely different” (“Author Interview: Jennifer E. Smith.”... Read The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight Summary

The Stories Julian Tells

by Ann Cameron

Publication year 1981

Genre Short Story Collection, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Perseverance, Joy, Loneliness, Childhood & Youth, Animals, Appearance & Reality, Plants, Food, Nature Versus Nurture, Objects & Materials, Family, Fathers, Friendship, Mothers, Siblings, Self Discovery, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies

Tags Relationships, Coming of Age, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Realistic Fiction, Humor

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The Strangers

by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Childhood & Youth, Mothers, Coming of Age

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Science Fiction, Technology, American Literature, Children`s Literature, Horror & Suspense, Fantasy, Action & Adventure

The Strangers is a young adult mystery novel published in 2019 by the American author Margaret Peterson Haddix. It tells the story of the three Greystone children who seek to unravel a kidnapping mystery. It is Volume 1 in the Greystone Secrets series, which Haddix returned to in 2020 with Volume 2, The Deceivers. Haddix is the author of more than 40 books for kids and teens, including the Shadow Children series, the Missing series... Read The Strangers Summary

The Summer Wives

by Beatriz Williams

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Guilt, Love, Memory, Nostalgia, Revenge, Gender Identity, Race, Coming of Age, The Past, Family, Social Class

Tags Historical Fiction, Romance

The novel unfolds across three interwoven timelines on Winthrop Island, a fictional enclave in Long Island Sound where wealthy summer families, known as "the Families," coexist uneasily with a working-class, mostly Portuguese community of fishermen and laborers.In May 1969, Miranda Schuyler, now famous as the actress Miranda Thomas, returns to Winthrop Island after 18 years, hiding a bruised face behind dark sunglasses. At the general store, the elderly proprietress Mrs. Medeiro recognizes Miranda and drives... Read The Summer Wives Summary

The Sun and the Star

by Rick Riordan, Mark Oshiro

Publication year 2023

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Fear, Grief, Memory, Love, Sexual Identity, Coming of Age, Plants, Trust & Doubt, Good & Evil

Tags Fantasy, Mythology, Romance, Action & Adventure, Children`s Literature, LGBTQ+, Depression & Suicide, Mental Illness, Grief & Death, Love & Sexuality, Psychology, Trauma & Abuse

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The Sunbearer Trials

by Aiden Thomas

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Fear, Hope, Loneliness, Revenge, Shame & Pride, Gender Identity, Coming of Age, Animals, Family, Friendship, Self Discovery, Social Class, Justice, Loyalty & Betrayal, Wins & Losses

Tags Fantasy, LGBTQ+, Mythology

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