By: Izabella Engelbrink
The coming-of-age genre has become a popular escape for many young readers. The core of the genre focuses on self-discovery and the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Below are four coming of age novels, and how they differentiate from one another.
The Perks of being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
The novel is teenage angst encapsulated. The story follows narrator Charlie as he navigates past grief and trauma, as well as the trials of high school. The Perk of being a Wallflower is a perfect coming of age novel, that explores the harsh reality of growing up.
The novels chapters are structured as letters addressed to Charlies late friend who past away. Throughout the many letters from Charlie, readers discover the traumatic past of his Aunt Helens death, and the circumstances that surround it. The novel confronts Charlie’s trauma and his path towards recovery.
Charlies journey to recovery encapsulates the difficultly of growing. Especially when Charlie meets Sam, a senior who he develops feelings for, and her friend group. Charlie and his friends explore what it means to be the outsider of high school hierarchy, or the “wallflower” of the world.
The Perks of being a Wallflower is a perfect choice for readers wanting the typical coming of age themes but is deeper in content. The novel is astonishingly real and doesn’t sugar coat how uncomfortable it is to be a teenager. For the readers who want raw emotional responses from their books, then The Perks of being a Wallflower would be a perfect choice.
Looking for Alaska by John Green
The novel follows Miles Halter and his decision to leave home and attend a preparatory school in Alabama. In which he meets his eccentric friends, and the object of his attraction, the manic pixie dream girl encapsulated, Alasaka Young. A perfect coming of age story for readers who enjoy the eccentricity of self-discovery.
The novel is split into two sections, Before and After. In the before section, Miles becomes close with his friends, Chip, Takumi, and Alaska as they plan pranks to pull on wealthy students. Miles becomes fascinated by Alaska ominous past, and the “the labyrinth” of suffering she says follows her.
The after section follows Alaska death in a car crash. The three friends struggle with grief and start to investigate the circumstances around her death, which answers Miles’s interest in her vague past. Through grief, Miles learns to live with loss and unanswered questions.
Looking for Alaska is a perfect choice for readers who want all aspects of the coming-of-age genre. From the depressing angst to bizarre humor, it will have readers laughing one second and deep in thought the next. Readers will enjoy the easy read and will always remember Alaska.
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
An extremely witty novel the delves into the uncomfortable awkwardness of being a teenager. The novel follows main character Greg Gaines, his friend Earl, and the dying girl Rachel. Gregs, former friend from childhood diagnosed with cancer.
Greg is the stereotypical high school goof off; he doesn’t have any passion for school and most likely won’t be accepted into a college. He spends his free time making films with his friend Earl. Until Gregs’ mother forces him to visit Rachel to cheer her up, forming an unlikely friendship.
Both Earl and Greg show Rahcel the films they have made and eventually start shooting film of her. The novel shifts when Rahcel stops her treatments, and the film they made is forcefully shared at a school assembly, causing Greg to spiral. However, in the end Greg pulls himself out of his shame and starts to accept and love himself.
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is a perfect choice for readers wanting the weird, painfully awkward aspects of growing up. Readers spend the entire novel in Greg’s mind, which is similar to reading any angsty teenager’s diary. The novel is a perfect choice for readers wanting a strange coming of age story.
Mosquitoland by David Arnold
The novel is a perfect choice for readers with a taste for adventure. The coming-of-age story follows narrator Mary Malone as she travels from Mississippi to Ohio on a Greyhound bus. The narrator is completely alone and is forced to confront the struggles she is genuinely running away from.
After learning about her mother’s illness, Mary decides to take the Greyhound to Ohio to visit her. Leaving behind her father and stepmother in Mississippi (or has she likes to call it Mosquitoland). While on her long trip, Mary is forced to confront the reality of her mother’s illness, as well as the reality of her own mental health.
While on the bus Mary meets eccentric characters who widen her worldview and aide her pursuit of self-discovery. Readers will fall in love with the passengers on the bus and the thrilling sequence of events that follow. In the end, Mary running away from home leads to acceptance of her broken family, and a change within herself.
Mosquitoland is a perfect choice for any reader wanting excitement in their read. The core of the novel is Mary acceptance of change, which is relatable for those wanting a coming-of-age story. For readers who crave adventure, this novel is a perfect choice!
