10 Best Coming of Age Books Reviewed and Rated in 2024

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This iconic book was on the summer reading list of many parents we’re sure, but the thing about books is that they’re never irrelevant. Just like Ponyboy is told in this novel to “stay golden”, this book has proved time and time again that it truly is golden, timeless, and will always be a classic. To this day, kids are still encouraged to read this book by the time they get to middle school and has been made even more popular due to the well-received movie it inspired. Your child will follow along with the tale of Ponyboy as he figures out life after being put in a less-than-stellar situation. His brothers, Darry and Sodapop, are along for the ride with him and the trio do whatever it takes to stay together and make it -- Even though they often get in plenty of trouble. Ponyboy’s friends stand by his side through thick and thin and this book is truly a display of determination, hard work, and growing up, plain and simple. Kids will learn about having friends who are like family, being independent, and how to be strong in the face of adversity and hardship.

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For being written in 1967, this book is still so relevant in today’s day and age. It teaches the basics and friendship, fighting for what you want, and being strong no matter what life throws at you.

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This book is so special because the author, S.E. Hinton, has a letter to her readers feature right on the inside cover. This letter details her own hardships in life and the fact that she wrote The Outsiders when she was only 16-years-old, which is an inspiring story in itself.

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You might recognize the title of this book as well because it was also turned into a major motion picture. The beautiful thing about this book is that it celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2017, and this book is a special edition copy with a note from Katherine Peterson herself. It also features a forward by Kate DiCamillo, a bestselling author by the New York Times. The book itself revolves around a young boy named Jess Aarons, who’s favorite activity is running. Throughout the novel, he practices being the fastest in the school. Everything changes for him when he becomes friends with the one girl in school who can actually outrace him, and together, they create the magical world known as Terabithia. This book isn’t all happy moments but it does have a powerful lesson about love and friendship, which is something every child can relate to. It’s filled with wonderful characters who will enchant and delight any reader while relaying the idea of hope, willpower, and of never giving up.

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The powerful messages that are conveyed in this one of a kind, the unique story truly make the book well worth reading. It’s great for boys and girls alike and will quickly become a new favorite.

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Not only is this book an anniversary edition, but it was also an award-winner of the ALA Notable Children’s Book. It’s a cornerstone when it comes to young adult fiction and has something for everyone.

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Christopher makes for a delightful and engaging narrator. He is exceptionally bright in some ways and still learning in others. If you want a strong narrative voice and an endearing but complicated main character, this is the book for you.

Educational Value

Christopher describes himself as “a mathematician with some behavioral difficulties.” He struggles with human connection and is relatable in many surprising ways. We love that this book allows a character with Asperger Syndrome to be front and center, leading the charge from start to finish. The writing is mature, so readers will be challenged without being frustrated, and the story is a good mixture of mystery and emotional slice-of-life.

Age Range

Haddon oddly published this book as both a children’s book and adult book. We suggest it for young adult readers, or younger readers with higher comprehension skills and who can handle slightly mature subject matter. It’s perfect for pre-teens and teens as Christopher is right around their age and has a distinguished voice.

Entertainment Value

You’ll begin to notice a trend with great young adult novels -- They all become movies! Chances are, your child has probably already seen The Princess Diaries movie featuring Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews. But have they read the book? If they haven’t, then now is their chance! The great thing about reading the book is that it goes so much further beyond the movie; The Princess Diaries is actually a book series that continues to tell the story over a span of over ten books, all revolving around the same premise. These books are fun, humorous, and easy to read and follow along with. The first book in the installment follows young teen Mia, as she lives out her slightly awkward journey through puberty and learns how to be a teen in high school. Her world is quirky but it’s all her own, that is until she finds out some very big, life-changing news: She’s actually a princess! Suddenly, Mia is faced with saying goodbye to the only life she’s ever known for the chance to make a difference and eventually lead a country, or remain Mia: the slightly awkward and invisible teen. Following Mia on this harrowing and at times, cringe-worthy, journey is one that kids won’t soon forget.

Educational Value

Many times, if a child loves a movie, they’ll have a new appreciation for reading the book because they’ll learn things that movies will occasionally leave out. This book series will give them the chance to dive even further into the character who inspired Mia on-screen and allow them to follow her journey in full.

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Mia is a character that many teenagers can relate to. Growing up is awkward and at times even uncomfortable, and this book makes those situations relatable, real, and even a bit humorous when they need to be.

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Is your child a huge fan of John Green? Ever since The Fault in Our Stars, his writing has become increasingly popular amongst young adults. These books are compelling, emotionally-centered, and many have storylines that will remain with your child throughout their entire life. The re-readability on these books is wonderful and means your child will come back time and time again to read these inspiring stories at various times throughout their life. This box set is perfect for any John Green fan or even for those who are new to the series. Included is Looking For Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines, Paper Towns, and The Fault in Our Stars. For lovers of the movie, this is an excellent way to introduce your child to the book that inspired the movie as well as many others by the bestselling author.

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These are the type of books that turn non-readers into readers. They’re great for both girls and boys and will hold the attention of everyone.

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This box set contains some of the best books by John Green and would make a great first addition to any teen’s young adult fiction collection. It features books that have charmed their way into the hearts of many and continue to do so.

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This novel is a true accomplishment in magical realism. It is at once surreal and utterly gritty. It’s a tragi-comedy, both hilarious and heart-breaking. The characters are fleshed out and flawed but easy to love and the family history and culture weaves the book together seamlessly.

Educational Value

We love that this book dives so deeply into the culture of its characters. The vocabulary ranges from spanglish to slang to eloquent prose. The story follows Oscar as he tries to lose his virginity, so beware that it includes mention of sexual themes though the scenes are never overtly graphic.

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We’d recommend this one for teenagers, college students, and mature preteens. It’s beautifully written but it does use some strong language and it mentions and explores sexuality.

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Discarding traditional form, this novella is told through a series of vignettes rather than a chronological plot. Esperanza is relatable to all kinds of teens and young adults but we love that this novel gives voice to a young Latina girl as she comes into her own.

Educational Value

This book discusses being at war with the heritage of your very own name. Esperanza struggles to find her way through systems of oppression, poverty and sexism among them. If you’re looking for something moving and empowering, this will lift readers up.

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This book also deals with the more mature themes that accompany coming of age and that awkward transition into adulthood. We suggest it for mature pre-teens, teenagers, and young adults.

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This book is a bit different than some of the others we’ve showcased on our list, mainly because the story focuses on an issue of the past, similar to The Outsiders. However, it’s the award winner of 12 different categories of young adult literature and for good reason, because the writing in this novel is flawless. Vince Vawter paints the picture of a boy with the name “Little Man” who leads a seemingly ordinary life during the year 1959 in Memphis, Tennessee. It’s during the summer of his newly appointed paper route that his life begins to change, and it’s here that the plot has been compared to that of To Kill A Mockingbird. This story is about the journey of a young boy as he wades through the process of growing up, learning, and understanding life as a whole. It’s relatively detailed and fitting for the years 1959 in a deep south town such as Memphis and will paint a picture of days past for all the readers who decide to open this book.

Educational Value

The main theme of this book is focused on those who stutter, which is a common problem that affects many children and adults. This story will take readers along for the tale as they follow Little Man and how he learns more about the world around him and the people in it.

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This book isn’t your average, modern-day novel about a preteen who’s struggling with puberty. The issues go so much deeper than that and it carries a message from the past that readers will still relate to and understand to this day.

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This is perhaps one of the most unique books on our list. It’s a different take on a personal coming of age story and has been translated into English by Takami Nieda. It’s an absolutely brilliant story set in Japan and is centered around self-identity and trying to be someone that you’re not just to fit in. The main character, Sugihara, begins attending a Japanese high school and, being Korean, is at risk of being singled out if anyone finds out. He’s already the victim of bullying due to his heritage, and after meeting a girl he begins to seemingly fall in love with, he’s at further risk for not being accepted. Sugihara must make a choice and face the music, classical music to be precise, and decide one of two things: Will he give away his real identity, or remain anonymous in who he truly is in order to avoid upsetting the status quo? This story is a clever and well-written truth about what happens when you’re different, and also a tale of acceptance and loving others, no matter who they are.

Educational Value

Hopefully, through this book, kids will be inspired to be fearless in who they are. It doesn’t matter whether you have a unique cultural background, has varying interests, or just feel like you don’t fit in -- Who you are is wonderful, and this book is proof of that.

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In a way, this book is relatable to just about any teenager. No matter what you feel makes you different, all kids have, at one point, felt like they just don’t fit in and many feel the need to hide who they truly are.

Entertainment Value

Then when the social workers step in and are concerned about her the father’s secret is about to be let out. When presented with a glass of milk at the dinner talk the forces are able to get the story out of her and she tells of all the cruelty she has been experiencing. In trying to get safe the system pushes for her father to stay in the home, but others will step in to help her win this battle. Even though she risks the support of her family she is desperate to get help. This novel is narrative and contains a shocking story of a lesson that no child should ever have to learn.

Educational Value

Books that talk about events that happen in homes all over the world bring light to others that don’t think that it actually happens. It happens every day to the ones that you least unexpected it home. This book sheds light on the subject and tells of a hard lesson that one child should never have to learn about her family.

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A great novel for teenagers and sheds light in the lives of others and what horrible things can happen to children. The story ends in triumph but tells the tale of a very broken soul.