Coming of Age

Coming of age is a common theme in novels written for and/or about young people. In a coming-of-age story, a young boy or girl grows and matures over the course of the plot, which can take place over a period of several years or be compressed into a much shorter time frame if the main character learns and internalizes a number of life lessons over that period.

In Summer Ball, the main character, 13-year-old Danny Walker, is at something of a crossroads in his young life. His exceptional basketball skills and strong work ethic have always made up for his short height, but as other boys his age are getting taller and he is not, he is afraid that he'll be passed up in the one sport that is the center of his life and that of his friends. He realizes that although he is...