Coming-of-Age Classics
Trying to remember those time-tested novels that every adolescent should read? Here's a list of some of those beloved and often controversial classics that have become reading rites of passage in their own right.
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
You'll never forget the musings of a Jewish teen coming of age in hiding during the Holocaust.
The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger
One of the most memorable voices in fiction, prep student Holden Caulfield has a ton to tell your teen.
The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
When a middle-schooler stands up to the secret society at his prep school, all hell breaks loose. Learn more.
Forever by Judy Blume
Known more for its honest voice than literary quality, this novel has nonetheless had a huge impact on generations of young women.
Go Ask Alice by Anonymous
This gripping diary of a drug-addicted teen remains relevant nearly 30 years after its publication.
A Hero Ain't Nothin' But a Sandwich by Alice Childress
Set in 1970s Harlem, this moving novel shows the life of a 13-year-old heroin addict through several characters' eyes.
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
Meet Esperanza Cordero, a teen growing up amidst the harsh beauty and poverty in the Latino section of Chicago.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
One of the most frequently banned books in America, this account of a boy and escaped slave's journey down the Mississippi River is a must-read. Learn more.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Your teen should not miss this moving autobiography that tackles tough subjects with humor.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Enchant your preteen with this eloquent (and lengthy) story of four sisters growing up during the Civil War. Learn more.
Lord of the Flies by William Gerald Golding
What happens when a dozen boys are stranded on a desert island?
The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton
This classic story of class struggles, loyalty, and honor is a sure hit with middle-schoolers. Learn more.
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce
Your older teen can dive into this story of a young Irishman struggling to decide between a religious vocation and an artistic one.
A Separate Peace by John Knowles
Anyone who's ever had a golden best friend will relate to this stirring story from the 1950s.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Dive into this turn-of-the-century story about a girl struggling to grow amidst poverty.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Witness the trial of a black man through the eyes of two children in the 1930s South.
12/5/06
