Coming of Age Books: Extraordinary Novels to Read Now

Coming of Age Books: Extraordinary Novels to Read Now

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Coming of age books are some of my all-time favourite reads. The best coming of age books are all on our ultimate list. This list of new and best coming of age books is better than the movies! If you are looking for a book that tells a story about growing up, there is bound to be one here for you to enjoy. The coming of age theme is one that is popular in YA books. So get your TBR list ready to add some of our favourite coming of age novels. We recommend them all!

coming of age books

Last Updated: February 8, 2024

Coming of Age Books

  1. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

aristotle and dante discover the secrets of the universe

2. Looking for Alaska by John Green

looking for alaska john green

3. Normal People by Sally Rooney

Normal People Sally Rooney

4. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

the perks of being a wallflower stephen chbosky

5. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

the book thief markus zusak

6. Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

anne frank the diary of a young girl

7. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

speak laurie hale anderson

8. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

9. Circe by Madeline Miller

circe madeline miller

10. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

where the crawdads sing delia owens

11. Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

tomorrow tomorrow and tomorrow Gabriel zevin

12. Hang the Moon: A Novel by Jeannette Walls

Hang the Moon by Jeannette Walls

13. I’ll Stop the World by Lauren Thoman

I'll Stop the World by Lauren Thoman

14. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

15. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

16. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

To Kill a Mocking bird book vs. Movie

17. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume

are you there god? it's me, margaret

18. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

eleanor and park rainbow rowell

 

19. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

the outsiders s.e. hinton

20. The Giver by Lois Lowry

Book cover for The Giver by Lois Lowry.

21. The Absolutely True Tale of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

22. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

a tree grows in brooklyn betty smith

23. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

the catcher in the rye

24. The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

the house on mango street sandra cisneros

25. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

26. Sing, Unburied Sing by Jesmyn Ward

Sing, Unburied Sing by Jesmyn Ward

27. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

The Hate U Give Angie Thomas

28 The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

29. The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

the poet x elizabeth acevedo

30. Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman

Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman

31. A Separate Peace by John Knowles

a separate peace john knowles

32. The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

the secret life of bees sue monk kidd

33. Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy

Book cover for Dumplin' by Julie Murphy.

34. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

35. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

the kite runner khaled hosseini

36. Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

37. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

the adventures of huckleberry finn

38. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

39. My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

40. Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson

Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson

41. Go Tell it on the Mountain by James Baldwin

Go Tell it on the Mountain by James Baldwin

42. Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

43. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

I know why the caged bird sings

44. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz

45. Atonement by Ian McEwan

atonement ian mcewan

46. Submarine by Joe Dunthorne

Submarine by Joe Dunthorne

47. The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak

The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak

48. What the Fireflies Knew by Kai Harris

What the Fireflies Knew by Kai Harris

49. I Fell in Love With Hope by Lancali

I Fell in Love With Hope by Lancali

50. The Family by Naomi Krupitsky

The Family by Naomi Krupitsky

51. Maame by Jessica George

Maame by Jessica George

52. Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane

Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane

53. Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones

Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones

54. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

55. Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger

Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger

56. Peach Blossom Spring by Melissa Fu

Peach Blossom Spring by Melissa Fu

57. The Orphans of Race Point by Patry Francis

The Orphans of Race Point by Patry Francis

58. Sooley by John Grisham

Sooley by John Grisham

59. The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles

The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles

60. The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni

The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni

Coming of Age Books

Coming of age books are the best reads to understand the issues of growing up. These are some of our all-time favourite novels. What are some of your favourite coming of age books? Let us know in the comments!

Lori

About Lori

Avid reader. Contributor to The Candid Cover. Educator.

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