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Coming of Age Books Every 17 year Old Boy Should Read
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By
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Corina
Stories that teach courage, empathy, and purpose — the books that shape who you become.
Sections
4
 
Modern Essentials
 
🧭 Classic Coming-of-Age Foundations
 
💭 Deep & Reflective Journeys
 
🌈 Diverse Voices & Modern Classics

Modern Essentials

 
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Journey, maturity, tough choices.
All the Pretty Horses (Border Trilogy #1) (National Book Award Winner)
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The power of words in the darkest times.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Paperback
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More philosophical, exploring moral ambiguity in youth.
The Confusions of Young Torless - Robert Musil
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Utopian/dystopian environment, choice, responsibility. 
Society in The Giver by Lois Lowry | Summary & Themes - Lesson
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Revenge vs. reflection in 60 seconds inside an elevator — written in verse.
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds, Paperback
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Privilege, guilt, and the painful lessons of honesty and illusion.
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart, Paperback
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First love, identity, and defying expectations.
Eleanor & Park: A Novel by Rainbow Rowell, Paperback
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True story of seeking freedom and purpose beyond society’s norms.
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, Paperback
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🧭 Classic Coming-of-Age Foundations

 
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Freedom, societal hypocrisy, moral choices.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Barnes & Noble Collectible Editions)
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Class, loyalty, violence, self-worth. 
The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton, Paperback
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Moral growth, justice, empathy.
To Kill a Mockingbird (Pulitzer Prize Winner) by Harper Lee, Paperback
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Friendship, guilt, loss during adolescence.
A Separate Peace by John Knowles, Paperback
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Angst, identity, rebellion, disillusionment in teen years.
The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger, Paperback
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Ambition, class, guilt, development from young to adult. 
Great Expectations (Signature Classics) by Charles Dickens, Paperback
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Intellectual, spiritual development.
A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce, Paperback
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What happens when civilization disappears.
Lord of the Flies by William Golding, Paperback
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Hardship, ambition, personal growth.
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens, Paperback
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💭 Deep & Reflective Journeys

 
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Growing up in a racist society; surviving adversity, forming identity.
Black Boy - Richard Wright
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Loss, identity, surviving dysfunction, coming into one’s own. (Some intense moments.) 
The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint: A Novel by Brady Udall, Paperback
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Adolescence told through Black Swan Green — David Mitchell Adolescence told through honesty, stutters, and small victories. honesty, stutters, and small victories.
Black Swan Green by David Mitchell, Paperback
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One of my favorite books of all time. It explores, poverty, family dysfunction, endurance, early maturity.
Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt, Paperback
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Cultural identity, spiritual growth.
Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya, Paperback
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Mystery, imagination, and moral awakening in small-town America.
Boy's Life by Robert McCammon, Paperback
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Language, identity, and love between mother and son
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong, Paperback
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Humor and resilience growing up on a reservation.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, Paperback
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Voice, oppression, personal transformation.
The Color Purple (B&N Exclusive Edition) by Alice Walker, Hardcover
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Friendship, betrayal, growing up under trauma, seeking redemption.
The Kite Runner (Essential Edition) by Khaled Hosseini, Paperback
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🌈 Diverse Voices & Modern Classics

 
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Depression, belonging, and friendship across cultures
Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram, Paperback
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A bold, graphic novel about youth, freedom, and rebellion.
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi, Paperback
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Love, masculinity, and identity through friendship.
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
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Ordinary teen, extraordinary purpose.
I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak, Paperback
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What would you do if you knew today was your last day?
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera, Paperback
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Dreams, neighborhoods and finding your own voice
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, Paperback
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