Booklist: Coming-of-Age Novels aka Bildungsromans

I call this journal + website Bildungsroman for a reason. I think there's something special about a story that accurately captures that time when you grow up - when our perception of how the world works is irrevocably altered, for better or for worse.

In January 2007, Chasing Ray announced You Should Read This Awards 2007: Coming-of-Age. Since I love this genre with a passion, I immediately suggested a multitude of titles, which I then posted here. I've updated this booklist a few times since then and will continue to do so as time goes on.

In alphabetical order by author:

The Pursuit of Happiness by Tara Altebrando
What Happens Here by Tara Altebrando
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
The Queen of Everything by Deb Caletti
The Nature of Jade by Deb Caletti
The Alison Rules by Catherine Clark
The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney
Say Goodnight, Gracie by Julie Reece Deaver
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen
An Egg on Three Sticks by Jackie Fischer
Friction by E.R. Frank
The True Meaning of Cleavage by Mariah Fredericks
Stay With Me by Garret Freymann-Weyr
As Simple as Snow by Gregory Galloway
Looking for Alaska by John Green
Nothing but the Truth (and a few white lies) by Justina Chen Headley
Olive's Ocean by Kevin Henkes
Stained by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
The Key to the Golden Firebird by Maureen Johnson
The Bermudez Triangle by Maureen Johnson
Swollen by Melissa Lion
Upstream by Melissa Lion
Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta
Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta
Innocence by Jane Mendelsohn
Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
A Room on Lorelei Street by Mary E. Pearson
Define "Normal" by Julie Anne Peters
What Happened to Lani Garver by Carol Plum-Ucci
His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
Just Like That by Marsha Qualey
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
Edgewater by Courtney Sheinmel
Homecoming by Cynthia Voight
So B. It by Sarah Weeks

. . . and, if you like series that follow characters through childhood and adulthood:

The Anne Shirley octet by L.M. Montgomery

Wondering why I picked a certain title? Ask in the comments section below. I'll be more than happy to discuss this books further.