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.
Publication year 2013
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Emotions/Behavior: Regret, Identity: Femininity, Identity: Gender, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Relationships: Mothers, Self Discovery, Society: Class, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice
Tags Children's Literature, Action / Adventure, Historical Fiction, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Fantasy
Publication year 2021
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Family, Identity: Femininity, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Society: Economics
Tags Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction
Publication year 2021
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Identity: Race, Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Identity: Gender, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice
Tags Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Magical Realism, Children's Literature, History: World
Publication year 2023
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Mothers, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age
Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Fairy Tale / Folklore, Gothic Literature
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Self Discovery, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Life/Time: Coming of Age
Tags Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Children's Literature, Fairy Tale / Folklore
Publication year 2005
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Friendship, Society: Class, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies
Publication year 1983
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Identity: Race, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Mortality & Death
Tags Realistic Fiction, Sports, Modern Classic Fiction
Running Loose (1983) is Chris Crutcher’s debut young adult novel. It follows high school senior Louie Banks, a member of the football team in his small town who navigates the typical challenges of adolescence. His life takes a dramatic turn when, during a football game, Louie faces a racist incident, resulting in his expulsion from the team. This event sets off a chain reaction, forcing Louie to confront deeper personal and community issues that ultimately... Read Running Loose Summary
Publication year 1995
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Life/Time: The Past, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger
Tags Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Action / Adventure, Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Children's Literature, Mystery / Crime Fiction
Running Out of Time is a 1995 young adult suspense novel by American author Margaret Peterson Haddix. It tells the story of Jessie Keyser, a young girl who believes she is living in 1800s Indiana, only to discover that in reality it is 1996. When a diphtheria epidemic strikes her small town of Clifton, she must venture out into the modern world to save her friends. Haddix also authored the critically acclaimed YA thriller series... Read Running Out Of Time Summary
Publication year 2002
Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction
Themes Relationships: Family, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Self Discovery, Identity: Sexuality, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance
Tags LGBTQ, Mental Illness, Humor, Psychology, Psychology, Biography
Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs was first published in 2002 as a memoir. After several of the figures it features sued for defamation and dishonesty of its claims, however, it was recategorized as a book. It can also be classified as a bildungsroman since it follows the adolescent growth of its narrator and protagonist. Running with Scissors was adapted into a feature film in 2006.Other works by this author include Dry and A Wolf... Read Running With Scissors Summary
Publication year 2002
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Natural World: Environment, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Fathers, Self Discovery, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed
Tags Animals, Action / Adventure, Fantasy
Publication year 2023
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: Joy, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Nostalgia, Identity: Femininity, Identity: Sexuality, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: Midlife, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Life/Time: The Past, Natural World: Food, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Relationships: Marriage, Relationships: Mothers, Society: Community
Tags Historical Fiction, Food, Romance
Publication year 2023
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Family, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger
Tags Romance, Sports, New Adult
Publication year 1997
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Natural World: Animals, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Friendship, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Self Discovery, Society: Community
Tags Realistic Fiction, Action / Adventure, Relationships
Publication year 2019
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Family, Identity: Disability, Natural World: Animals
Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Fantasy, Action / Adventure, Animals, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Children's Literature
Publication year 2008
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Identity: Disability, Identity: Masculinity, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Family, Self Discovery, Society: Class, Society: Education, Values/Ideas: Literature
Tags Realistic Fiction, Drama / Tragedy, Children's Literature
Publication year 2023
Genre Graphic Novel/Book, Fiction
Themes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Identity: Race, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Self Discovery, Society: Class
Tags Realistic Fiction, Children's Literature, Modern Classic Fiction, Travel Literature
Publication year 2020
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Life/Time: The Past, Relationships: Teams, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt
Tags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction, Children's Literature, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Fantasy, Religion / Spirituality
Publication year 2015
Genre Graphic Novel/Book, Fiction
Themes Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Relationships: Family, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: Friendship, Relationships: Mothers, Self Discovery
Tags Mystery / Crime Fiction, Science-Fiction / Dystopian Fiction
Publication year 2015
Genre Novel, Fiction
Themes Relationships: Family, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil
Tags Fantasy, Mystery / Crime Fiction, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Animals, Children's Literature, Historical Fiction, Action / Adventure
Serafina and the Black Cloak is a middle-grade mystery/fantasy by Robert Beatty. First published in 2015, the novel is set in 1899 at the historic Biltmore Estate near Asheville, North Carolina. The story features 12-year-old Serafina, a girl of mysterious origins and many unusual skills who lives secretly in the mansion’s basement. When some of the Biltmore guests’ children go missing, Serafina discovers that an evil intruder—the Man in the Black Cloak—is responsible. Serafina sets... Read Serafina and the Black Cloak Summary
Publication year 1998
Genre Short Story, Fiction
Themes Self Discovery, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Life/Time: Coming of Age
Tags Relationships, Indian Literature