by: Kat Littfin

Editorial Editor

As high school students, we have the unique opportunity to read coming-of-age novels in tandem with our own growth. Reading this genre has often pulled me out of reading slumps or taught me valuable lessons about maturing. I have compiled a list of novels of the genre that I believe all high school students should read, as they are the most universally appealing, profound, and, most importantly, enjoyable coming-of-age novels that I have read.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Steven Chbosky will always be first on my list – it is worth the hype. The story feels intimate as Chbosky narrates the novel through letters written by the protagonist, Charlie. Charlie is a “wallflower” because he keenly observes the world around him and too often lets life pass him by, but as he enters high school, he begins to form friendships and deepen relationships that help him find himself. Charlie and his friends’ experiences span important topics, including strong friendships, abusive relationships, romance, mental health struggles, and identity. The novel has resonated with me in multiple ways since I first read it in seventh grade, and I think many teenagers can find solace and wisdom throughout its pages.

Chloe Michelle Howarth’s Sunburn features an introspective and intensely emotional protagonist, Lucy, who struggles to find her role in her community as a closeted girl during the ‘90s in Catholic Ireland. At first glance, the novel is a romance; however, the novel’s relationship illustrates the internal and external conflicts that affect Lucy’s small town: homophobia, covert sexism, poverty, loneliness, and religious conviction. I have yet to read a novel that captures a queer relationship between women so delicately. The way Howarth portrays protagonist Lucy’s uncertainty regarding her future as she finishes school made this book really stand out to me as a second semester senior.

Dante and Aristotle Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz is not a novel about the two philosophers, but instead about two Mexican-American teenage boys living in El Paso, Texas, with similarly unique names. The boys are opposites in many ways, with Dante being extremely sensitive while Aristotle is more grounded and sensible. Through their friendship, they explore parts of their identity they do not discuss with others: their Mexican heritage, masculinity, sexuality, and sacrifice. The friendship at the center of this novel is particularly touching as they both bare their souls to each other, which leads to a great deal of intimate reflection about the importance of growing up.

Coming-of-age fiction is such a quintessential part of high school required reading curricula because of the distinct period when individuals solidify their morals, shed their innocent ignorance, and often experience turbulence in unpredictable ways. If you are struggling to find a new title or have resolved to read more in 2026, consider reading one of these novels.