English 10 Summer Reading Assignment:
Watch one of the “coming of age” films listed below. Then read one of the “coming
of age” novels from the list below. Compare and contrast the metamorphosis of the
main characters in the two stories. Craft an essay that compares and contrasts the
metamorphic transition of each of the two main characters’ mind, body, and soul.
How are they similar and how are they different? Use direct evidence from the novel
and film to support your thinking. The graphic organizers provided should be used to
help you with your analysis.
Coming of Age Movies:
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
Stand By Me (1986)
Dead Poets Society (1989)
The Sandlot (1993)
October Sky (1999)
Teen Wolf (1985)
Clueless (1995)
Old Yeller (1958)
Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
The Princess Bride (1986)
The Never Ending Story (1984)
Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993)
Radio Flyer (1992)
Big (1988)
Real Genius (1985)
A River Runs Through It (1993)
School Ties (1992)
White Water Summer (1987)
Labyrinth (1986)
Almost Famous (2000)
Finding Forrester (2000)
The Last Starfighter (1984)
She’s All That (1999)
Vision Quest (1985)
Space Camp (1986
Coming of Age Novels:
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
All American Boys by Reynolds & Kiely
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
Mosquitoland by David Arnold
Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer
The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by
Sherman Alexie
Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger
A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
Warriors Don’t Cry by Melba Patillo Beals
The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Deadline by Chris Crutcher
The Blind Side by Michael Lewis (nonfiction)
King Dork by Frank Portman
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Enders Game by Orson Scott Card
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann
Brashares
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
State
Metamorphosis
Mind
Body
Soul
Character #1: Novel
Beginning
End
State
Metamorphosis
Mind
Body
Soul
Character #2: Movie
Beginning
End