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Coming of Age: The True Adventures of Two American Teens

Coming of Age: The True Adventures of Two American Teens

Published in
1995
3.17
on Goodreads (6)

Description

G. Wayne Miller explores the drama and passion teenagers hide from everyone but their peers in this warm, funny, and eye-opening account of two kids from a small New England town as they come of age. As Dave Bettencourt, seventeen, begins his senior year of high school, there are many things he wants to do: be elected class clown; start on the varsity basketball team; turn his high school upside down with his radical underground newspaper, Total Godhead; finally convince his mother, a biology teacher, that he'll never be a scientist; and take his strikingly beautiful girlfriend, Beth Sunnwhose passion is in-your-face rapto the prom. Beth's plans for her sophomore year include: loving Dave forever; being a cheerleader; surviving school; and staying absolutely cool. All over America, teens like Beth and Dave are coming of age in a world that is dramatically different from the one in which most of us grew up. But their experience is universal: They're falling in love, defying their parents, learning to be independent, and discovering who they are. This is the true story of two kids growing up on Main Street, U.S.A., away from urban violence and the glare of the national mediaa place where, despite all the pressures of a new age, it is still possible to believe the good things about being young. ';Offers a sympathetic and insightful portrait of high school life in the heartland.'Julie Salamon, author of Devil's Candy
Age
12-13
Text complexity
advanced
Length
272 pages
Book in series
#3

Why to read

  • Insight into Adolescence: Reading coming-of-age stories provides valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs of adolescence, helping readers understand and empathize with the complex journey from youth to adulthood.
  • Relatable Experiences: Such stories often explore universal themes of identity, friendship, and self-discovery, offering readers a chance to see their own experiences reflected in the characters' lives.
  • Historical and Cultural Context: If the book is set in a specific era or cultural backdrop, it can offer readers a glimpse into the societal norms and events that shape the protagonists' world, enriching their understanding of different historical or cultural perspectives.
  • Personal Growth: Engaging with the characters' struggles and successes can inspire readers to reflect on their own life choices and personal growth, potentially leading to a deeper sense of self-awareness and empathy for others.