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.

Zach's Lie

by Roland Smith

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Family, Truth & Lies

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

Zach’s Lie (2001) is a critically acclaimed young adult thriller by American author Roland Smith. The novel explores themes of identity and the importance of family, truth, and trust. Smith is a New York Times bestselling author and has written over 20 young adult novels. Zach’s Lie won the Nevada Young Readers Award, and the American Library Association chose it as a Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers. Smith’s novel Jack’s Run (2007) continues the story... Read Zach's Lie Summary

Z For Zachariah

by Robert C. O'Brien

Publication year 1974

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Gender Identity, Coming of Age, Future, Climate, Environment, Food, War, Power & Greed, Religion & Spirituality, Science & Technology

Tags Science Fiction, Survival Fiction

Z for Zachariah (1974) by Robert C. O’Brien is a young adult dystopian novel. It tells the story of Ann Burden, who survives a nuclear war that destroys the world thanks to a natural phenomenon that keeps her valley safe from radiation. After over a year alone, she awakes one morning to a column of smoke, and John Loomis—a scientist who has traveled for weeks in a protective suit—arrives and disrupts her life of solitude... Read Z For Zachariah Summary

Zodiac Academy

by Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti

Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Perseverance, Fear, Hate & Anger, Revenge, Shame & Pride, Femininity, Gender Identity, Sexual Identity, Coming of Age, Appearance & Reality, Siblings, Fate, Loyalty & Betrayal, Religion & Spirituality, Truth & Lies, Self Discovery, Emotions/Behavior: Courage

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Zofloya

by Charlotte Dacre

Publication year 1806

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Gender Identity, Race, Sexual Identity, Coming of Age, Good & Evil, Loyalty & Betrayal, Power & Greed, Truth & Lies

Tags Horror & Suspense, Gothic Literature, World History, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

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Zora and Me

by T.R. Simon, Victoria Bond

Publication year 2010

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Race, Coming of Age, Self Discovery, Community, Literature, Safety & Danger, Truth & Lies

Tags Historical Fiction, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Children`s Literature, World History, Arts & Culture

Zora and Me (2010) is a middle grade novel by Victoria Bond and T.R. Simon. Both authors held a strong interest in 20th-century Black American writer Zora Neale Hurston, and they wanted to introduce her to younger readers. Bond has an MFA in poetry, while Simon has an MA in anthropology; Hurston was both a writer and an anthropologist. Inspired by real details from Hurston’s childhood as illustrated in her short stories, Bond and Simon... Read Zora and Me Summary