Daughters & Sons

"How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child," exclaims William Shakespeare's King Lear. The fragility or strength of the bond between parents and their children is an eternally relevant theme in literature. In this study guide collection, we've put together texts that examine what it means to be a son or daughter.

Bridge of Clay

by Markus Zusak

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Love, Grief, Siblings, Conflict, Forgiveness, Guilt, Hate & Anger, Memory, Regret, Death, Order & Chaos, Loyalty & Betrayal, Literature, Mothers, Marriage, Daughters & Sons, Fathers, The Past

Tags Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Grief & Death, Modern Classic Fiction

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Bringing Up Bébé

by Pamela Druckerman

Publication year 2012

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Family, Mothers, Gratitude, Hope, Love, Shame & Pride, Femininity, Language, Childhood & Youth, Midlife, Food, Nature Versus Nurture, Daughters & Sons, Marriage, Social Class, Immigration, Nation

Tags Memoir & Autobiography, Parenting

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Cheaper By The Dozen

by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr, Ernestine Gilbreth Carey

Publication year 1948

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Family, Joy, Love, Memory, Nostalgia, Femininity, Language, Mental Health, Sexual Identity, Coming of Age, The Past, Daughters & Sons, Fathers, Teamwork, Community, Education, Fame, Order & Chaos, Science & Technology

Tags Humor

Published in 1948, Cheaper by the Dozen is a humorous memoir by siblings Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey. The book chronicles their unconventional childhood in Montclair, New Jersey, as two of 12 children raised by parents who were pioneering efficiency experts. The authors’ father, Frank B. Gilbreth, treats the family home as a laboratory, applying the principles of scientific management and motion study to every aspect of domestic life, from bathing to... Read Cheaper By The Dozen Summary

City of Glass

by Cassandra Clare

Publication year 2007

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Guilt, Truth & Lies, Friendship, Daughters & Sons, Siblings

Tags Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Romance, Grief & Death, Love & Sexuality, Science Fiction, Religion & Spirituality

City of Glass by Cassandra Clare (Walker Books, 2009) is the third installment of the young adult urban fantasy Mortal Instruments series and chronicles an epic Shadowhunter battle against an old foe’s return. City of Glass was a finalist for the Teen Choice Book of the Year and for the 2009 Goodreads Choice Awards. Clare was born in Iran to American parents. She spent several years traveling before she settled in the United States, where... Read City of Glass Summary

Crank

by Ellen Hopkins

Publication year 2004

Genre Novel/Book in Verse, Fiction

Themes Sexual Identity, Mental Health, Perseverance, Coming of Age, Masculinity, Daughters & Sons, Safety & Danger

Tags Realistic Fiction, Romance, Addiction & Substance Abuse, Mental Illness, Modern Classic Fiction

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Crash

by Jerry Spinelli

Publication year 1996

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Teamwork, Siblings, Daughters & Sons, Family, Shame & Pride, Power & Greed, Equality, Appearance & Reality, Truth & Lies, Fathers, Death, Wins & Losses, Perseverance, Conflict, Guilt, Gratitude, Grandparents, Self Discovery

Tags Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Sports, Bullying, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction

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Crossroads

by Jonathan Franzen

Publication year 2021

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Religion & Spirituality, Siblings, Marriage, Daughters & Sons

Tags Historical Fiction, Addiction & Substance Abuse, American Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, World History

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Cujo

by Stephen King

Publication year 1981

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Death, Safety & Danger, Fate, Daughters & Sons, Perseverance, Family

Tags Horror & Suspense, Psychological Fiction, Animals

Cujo, a horror-thriller novel first published in 1981, is the 10th novel by the American “King of Horror,” Stephen King. It was inspired by a trip the author took to a mechanic in rural Maine whose St. Bernard nearly attacked King. Cujo received several accolades upon its release and won the British Fantasy Award for Best Novel in 1982. It was adapted into a film of the same name in 1983.The citations in this study... Read Cujo Summary

Cymbeline

by William Shakespeare

Publication year 1623

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Loyalty & Betrayal, Forgiveness, Love, Regret, Femininity, The Past, Nature Versus Nurture, Daughters & Sons, Nation, War, Trust & Doubt

Tags Classic Fiction, British Literature, Comedy & Satire, Romance

Cymbeline is a play by William Shakespeare. Its first recorded performance was in 1611, and it was published in the First Folio in 1623. Some scholars have posited that sections may have been written collaboratively. The play is loosely inspired by accounts of the historical British king Cunobeline, but also draws on other sources. It has never been considered a history play, reflecting the looseness of this connection.Cymbeline is king of ancient Britain. His sons... Read Cymbeline Summary

Danny, the Champion of the World

by Roald Dahl

Publication year 1975

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Fathers, Daughters & Sons, Justice, Social Class

Tags Classic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Humor, Finance

British author Roald Dahl first published Danny the Champion of the World in 1975. This award-winning children’s novel was adapted into a made-for-TV movie in 1989. The story follows Danny and his single-father, William, as they concoct a plan to poach all of the pheasants from a mean, rich landowner’s woods. Dahl’s children’s books are humorous and unsentimental, usually featuring a heroic young protagonist and an obnoxious adult antagonist. Dahl’s other works for children include The Gremlins... Read Danny, the Champion of the World Summary

Darkly Dreaming Dexter

by Jeff Lindsay

Publication year 2004

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Daughters & Sons, Family, Siblings, Self Discovery, Good & Evil, Justice

Tags Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction

Darkly Dreaming Dexter (2004) is a crime thriller by South Florida author Jeff Lindsay. It is the first installment in an eight-novel series that follows the exploits of serial killer Dexter Morgan. The books were turned into an award-winning television series that aired on Showtime from 2006 to 2013. The show’s first season follows the same narrative beats as Darkly Dreaming Dexter. The plot follows Dexter through several of his own kills as well as... Read Darkly Dreaming Dexter Summary

D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths

by Edgar Parin d'Aulaire, Ingri d'Aulaire

Publication year 1962

Genre Anthology/Varied Collection, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Language, Appearance & Reality, Nature Versus Nurture, Daughters & Sons, Fathers, Marriage, Siblings, Colonialism, Community, Education, Politics & Government, Fate, Good & Evil, Justice, Literature, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Religion & Spirituality, Safety & Danger, Truth & Lies

Tags Fantasy, Mythology, Children`s Literature

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Deacon King Kong

by James McBride

Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Community, Fathers, Race, Daughters & Sons

Tags Race & Racism, Poverty, African American Literature, Mystery & Crime Fiction, World History, Historical Fiction

Deacon King Kong was published in 2020 and written by American author James McBride. It is an example of near-historical fiction written about American cities and social issues. McBride’s 1995 memoir about growing up in a mixed-race family in Brooklyn, The Color of Water, was both a commercial and critical success, and his own life experience aligns with some of the narratives and issues in Deacon King Kong.McBride’s novel The Good Lord Bird won the... Read Deacon King Kong Summary

Dear John

by Nicholas Sparks

Publication year 2006

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Forgiveness, Fathers, Daughters & Sons, Loyalty & Betrayal

Tags Romance, Dramatic Literature, Military & War, Love & Sexuality, Modern Classic Fiction

Dear John is a novel published in 2006 by Nicholas Sparks, a best-selling American romance writer. In 2010, the book was adapted into a feature film starring Channing Tatum and Amanda Seyfried. Dear John tells the story of star-crossed lovers: John Tyree, a soldier on leave, falls for Savannah Lynn Curtis, a visiting college student. After 9/11, John must choose between duty to his country and the people who love him, both of whom he... Read Dear John Summary

Death and the King's Horseman

by Wole Soyinka

Publication year 1975

Genre Play, Fiction

Themes Colonialism, Death, Wins & Losses, Regret, Fathers, Daughters & Sons

Tags Tragedy, Drama, African Literature, Colonialism & Postcolonialism, World War II

Premiering in 1975, Death and the King’s Horseman is a play written by Nigerian Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka. Soyinka is known for his plays, including A Dance of the Forests (1963) and The Lion and the Jewel (1962). Death and the King’s Horseman is set in Oyo, Nigeria, during World War II and tells the story of Elesin Oba, the titular king’s horseman who must die by ritual suicide after the Yoruba king dies. The colonial government... Read Death and the King's Horseman Summary

Disclaimer

by Renée Knight

Publication year 2015

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Conflict, Fear, Grief, Guilt, Hate & Anger, Loneliness, Revenge, Femininity, Mental Health, Death, The Past, Daughters & Sons, Marriage, Mothers, Justice, Truth & Lies

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

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Dombey and Son

by Charles Dickens

Publication year 1848

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Loneliness, Love, Shame & Pride, Gender Identity, Death, Place, Daughters & Sons, Fathers, Marriage, Mothers, Social Class

Tags Classic Fiction, Victorian Period, British Literature

British author Charles Dickens, a notable figure in the canon of modern English literature, is a Victorian novelist famous for such stories as Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, and A Christmas Carol. A prolific author who blends sentiment, comedy, and social realism with a satiric edge, Dickens was enormously popular in his lifetime and deeply influential in the development of the English novel. Dombey and Son is considered one of his more mature if less popular... Read Dombey and Son Summary