10 Best Growing-Up Stories Through Travelling Young Adult Books
Embarking on an adventure, encountering new experiences, and coming of age all intertwined within the pages of a book - that's the power of growing-up stories incorporated with travel themes in young adult novels. Let's face it; adolescence can be messy, emotional, confusing, but it's also a period of immense growth, discovery, and transformation. Now, when you combine that bewildering journey with a literal one, you get the perfect recipe for an unforgettable tale. We venture into far-off lands with nothing more than a backpack and wanderlust in our hearts. Various cultures, people, and experiences shape us in unforeseen ways, and suddenly, those unknown roads become a metaphor for our self-discovery. These 10 recommended novels capture this essence splendidly. They don't just reflect the physical journey but ingeniously intertwine it with the spiritual and emotional voyage each teenager embarks upon. Through these travelling tales, we encounter emotions, struggles, revelations, and most importantly, growth. So, buckle up! You're about to embark on an adventure that crosses borders, zones, and comfort levels. Prepare to see the world through the eyes of vibrant young adults who are just about finding their footing in the grand scheme of life. These gripping, heartfelt, and empowering travelogues are just what you need!
『The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants』
Four best girlfriends spend the biggest summer of their lives enchanted by a magical pair of pants.
Author | Ann Brashares |
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Price | unknown |
Publisher | Dell Books for Young Readers |
Release Date | Apr 26, 2005 |
Source | Google Books |
『I Wanna Be Where You Are』
A debut young adult rom-com about an African American ballerina who finds love on the road to an audition. "In a world where it's easy to lose faith in love, I Wanna Be Where You Are is a brilliant burst of light. A dazzling debut." — Nic Stone, New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin and Odd One Out When Chloe Pierce’s mom forbids her to apply for a spot at the dance conservatory of her dreams, she devises a secret plan to drive two hundred miles to the nearest audition. But Chloe hits her first speed bump when her annoying neighbor Eli insists upon hitching a ride, threatening to tell Chloe’s mom if she leaves him and his smelly dog, Geezer, behind. So now Chloe’s chasing her ballet dreams down the east coast—two unwanted (but kinda cute) passengers in her car, butterflies in her stomach, and a really dope playlist on repeat. Filled with roadside hijinks, heart-stirring romance, and a few broken rules, Kristina Forest's I Wanna Be Where You Are is a YA debut perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Sandhya Menon.
Author | Kristina Forest |
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Price | $9.99 |
Publisher | Roaring Brook Press |
Release Date | Jun 04, 2019 |
Source | Google Books |
『13 Little Blue Envelopes』
New York Times bestselling author Maureen Johnson’s funny, heartbreaking, and utterly romantic tale gets a great new cover! Ginny Blackstone never thought she’d spend her summer vacation backpacking across Europe. But that was before she received the first little blue envelope from Aunt Peg. This letter was different from Peg’s usual letters for two reasons: 1. Peg had been dead for three months. 2. The letter included $1000 cash for a passport and a plane ticket. Armed with instructions for how to retrieve twelve other letters Peg wrote—twelve letters that tell Ginny where she needs to go and what she needs to do when she gets there—Ginny quickly finds herself swept away in her first real adventure. Traveling from London to Edinburgh to Amsterdam and beyond, Ginny begins to uncover stories from her aunt’s past and discover who Peg really was. But the most surprising thing Ginny learns isn’t about Peg . . . it’s about herself. Everything about Ginny will change this summer, and it’s all because of the 13 little blue envelopes. Look for the sequel, The Last Little Blue Envelope!
Author | Maureen Johnson |
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Price | $13.99 |
Publisher | Harper Collins |
Release Date | Oct 06, 2009 |
Source | Google Books |
『An Abundance of Katherines』
From the #1 bestselling author of The Fault in Our Stars Michael L. Printz Honor Book Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist Katherine V thought boys were gross Katherine X just wanted to be friends Katherine XVIII dumped him in an e-mail K-19 broke his heart When it comes to relationships, Colin Singleton's type happens to be girls named Katherine. And when it comes to girls named Katherine, Colin is always getting dumped. Nineteen times, to be exact. On a road trip miles from home, this anagram-happy, washed-up child prodigy has ten thousand dollars in his pocket, a bloodthirsty feral hog on his trail, and an overweight, Judge Judy-loving best friend riding shotgun--but no Katherines. Colin is on a mission to prove The Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability, which he hopes will predict the future of any relationship, avenge Dumpees everywhere, and finally win him the girl. Love, friendship, and a dead Austro-Hungarian archduke add up to surprising and heart-changing conclusions in this ingeniously layered comic novel about reinventing oneself.
Author | John Green |
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Price | $8.99 |
Publisher | Penguin |
Release Date | Aug 14, 2008 |
Source | Google Books |
『Time of Our Lives』
"Emily and Austin have a reputation for delivering heartwarming, provoking, and real contemporary YA novels."--BuzzFeed Fitz Holton waits in fear for the day his single mother's early-onset Alzheimer's starts stealing her memory. He's vowed to stay close to home to care for her in the years to come--never mind the ridiculous college tour she's forcing him on to visit schools where he knows he'll never go. Juniper Ramirez is counting down the days until she can leave home, a home crowded with five younger siblings and zero privacy. Against the wishes of her tight-knit family, Juniper plans her own college tour of the East Coast with one goal: get out. When Fitz and Juniper cross paths on their first college tour in Boston, they're at odds from the moment they meet-- while Juniper's dying to start a new life apart from her family, Fitz faces the sacrifices he must make for his. Their relationship sparks a deep connection--in each other's eyes, they glimpse alternate possibilities regarding the first big decision of their adult lives.
Author | Emily Wibberley/Austin Siegemund-Broka |
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Price | unknown |
Publisher | Penguin |
Release Date | Feb 02, 2021 |
Source | Google Books |
『Hope Is Our Only Wing』
Set in Zimbabwe, Rutendo Tavengerwei’s unforgettable novel offers a beautiful and honest look at adolescence, friendship, and the capacity for courage. For fifteen-year-old Shamiso, hope is nothing but a leap into darkness. Grief-stricken and confused after her father’s mysterious death in a car crash, Shamiso moves with her mother from England to Zimbabwe in order to pick up the pieces—returning to an extended family and a world she hardly remembers. For Tanyaradzwa, a classmate whose life has been turned upside down by a cancer diagnosis, hope is the only reason to keep fighting. As an unexpected friendship blossoms between them and the two girls navigate the increasingly uncertain political situation in Zimbabwe, Tanyaradzwa helps Shamiso confront her fear of loss.
Author | Rutendo Tavengerwei |
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Price | $8.99 |
Publisher | Soho Press |
Release Date | Sep 10, 2019 |
Source | Google Books |
『The Summer of Us』
A swoon-worthy story about five best friends on a whirlwind trip through Europe, perfect for fans of Jenny Han, Stephanie Perkins, and Jennifer E. Smith! American expat Aubrey has only two weeks left in Europe before she leaves for college, and she's nowhere near ready. Good thing she and her best friend, Rae, have planned one last group trip across the continent. From Paris to Prague, they're going to explore famous museums, sip champagne in fancy restaurants, and eat as many croissants as possible with their friends Clara, Jonah, and Gabe. But when old secrets come to light, Aubrey and Rae's trip goes from a carefree adventure to a complete disaster. For starters, there's Aubrey and Gabe's unresolved history, complicated by the fact that Aubrey is dating Jonah, Gabe's best friend. And then there's Rae's hopeless crush on the effortlessly cool Clara. How is Rae supposed to admit her feelings to someone so perfect when they're moving to different sides of the world in just a few weeks? Author Cecilia Vinesse delivers a romantic European adventure that embraces the magic of warm summer nights, the thrill of first kisses, and the bittersweet ache of learning to say goodbye to the past while embracing the future.
Author | Cecilia Vinesse |
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Price | $8.99 |
Publisher | Poppy |
Release Date | Jun 05, 2018 |
Source | Google Books |
『Starry Eyes』
When teens Zorie and Lennon, a former couple, are stranded in the California wilderness together, they must put aside their differences, and come to terms with lingering romantic feelings, in order to survive.
Author | Jenn Bennett |
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Price | unknown |
Publisher | Simon and Schuster |
Release Date | Jan 08, 2019 |
Source | Google Books |
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Price | unknown |
Publisher | |
Release Date | |
Source | Google Books |
『Salty, Bitter, Sweet Educator's Guide』
Salty, Bitter, Sweet Educator's Guide is a companion to Salty, Bitter, Sweet by Mayra Cuevas. This guide can be utilized in the classroom, in a home school setting, or by parents seeking additional resources. Ideal for grades 7-12.
Author | Mayra Cuevas |
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Price | unknown |
Publisher | Blink |
Release Date | May 26, 2020 |
Source | Google Books |
In wrapping up these recommendations, it's essential to acknowledge how wonderfully these young adult novels weave the raw and relatable process of growing up with the thrill of travel and discovery. They do not merely romanticise the concept of journeying but thoroughly dive into the mix of emotions- the excitement, fear, challenges and the life-altering lessons that carve our heroes into mature and wise characters. Each destination contributes to their development and the unveiling of their true identity, making these not just good reads but also excellent life guides. Their adventures may be vast and varying in physical spaces, but the real place of exploration is the internal landscapes of their hearts and minds. So here's to seeing the world, not just in miles but in diverse human experiences! Grab one of these remarkable books and embark on these inspiring, transformative journeys of self-discovery and maturity. It's about time we welcome the liberating winds of travel and change in our lives. Why read about heroes saving the world when you can read about heroes saving themselves in the process of exploring the unknown? So, what are you waiting for? Take the plunge! These stories promise you nothing less than a one-way ticket to growth and adventure.
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