Non-Fiction

African American     Gay/Lesbian       Latino       Native American

Cohen, David (ed.) (1991).  The Circle of life:  rituals from the human family album.  San Francisco, California:  Harper.
Full-color photographs by eminent photographers that celebrate rituals and ceremonial rites of passage from diverse cultures, showing a similarities of emotion and a sense of tradition across cultures.  Features puberty rites. 

Haslam, A. R., Haslam, G. W. (eds.) (1995).  Where coyotes howl and wind blows free:  growing up in the West. Reno, Nevada:  University of Nevada.
Collection of 35 true stories of growing up in the West represents a variety of ethnic groups.  Each author relates different experiences and culturally varied responses to the similar emotional process of growing up. A good source for adults and youth that seek coming-of-age experiences from a multicultural perspective.

Sita, L. (1998).  Coming of age: world celebrations & ceremonies. New York: Blackbirch .
Discusses rights of passage ceremonies in different parts of the world including the Yanomani, Hindu, Jewish, Puerto Rican, and Apache Indians. A glossary is included along with suggested readings and a list of websites.

White, M. (1993).  The Material child: coming of age in Japan and America. New York:  The Free Press.
White, a sociologist and Japan specialist, researched theories in a study of teen life-styles in Japan and the U.S. Between 1988-1991, he interviewed 100 teenagers in both countries.  He examines mixed messages of adolescence; culture, history, and teens; families; school; friendships; sexuality; & hopes & fears.

African American Sources

Bolden, T. (ed.) (1994).  Rites of passage: stories about growing up by black writers from around the world.  New York:  Hyperion Books for Children.
The theme of these short stories is turning points in coming of age of black teens in the US, Australia, Africa, Britain, and the Caribbean.  All stories are recent except for one from the 1940’s and two stories from the 1960’s.

Hill, P. (1992).  Coming of age: African American male rites-of-passage. Chicago:  African American Images.
An overview of the issues confronting the African American male and a strategy to nurture a new generation of African American males.  Explores equivalents to ancient initiation rites.  Demonstrates the rites-of-passage process, its function, foundation, and institutionalization.

Lewis, M. C. (1988). Her story: black female rites of passage. Chicago: African American Images.
Discusses the stages of adolescence, friendship, and goal-setting from a traditional African perspective. Includes a chapter on a rite of passage program designed specifically for girls. Detailed information on the program as a tool for adults to create and implement a rite of passage for African American girls.

Gay/Lesbian Sources

Mohler, M. (2000). Homosexual rites of passage: a road to visibility and validation. New York: Harrington Park Press.
A source for gay and lesbian men and women throughout all life stages who wish to celebrate many of life’s passages. A section on positive identity development, rites of passage, and dating is especially helpful for gay youth and their families.

Latino Sources

Balcedo, M. (1997). Quinceanera! the essential guide to planning the perfect sweet fifteen celebration. New York: Henry Holt.
This book discusses how to plan a traditional 15th birthday ceremony in detail.

King, E. (1998).  Quinceanera: celebrando los quince.  New York: Dutton Children.
A guide for young Latin girls and their families facing the rite of initiation called la quinceanera…King's highly illustrated guide explains everything that must be done to make la quinceanera a truly fairy-tale celebration. Highly recommended, especially for young adult collections.” 

Native American Sources

Annerino, J. (1999).  Apache:  the sacred path to womanhood.  New York: Marlowe & Company.
Annerino has put together a volume of photographs that record the beauty of the Apache Sunrise Ceremony a rite of passage that initiates a girl into Apache womanhood.  Includes some Apache history.

Bruchac, J. (1993). Flying with the eagle, racing the great bear: stories from Native North America. Mahwah, NJ: Bridgewater Books.
Male rite of passage stories, accompanied by striking illustrations, share the experiences of boys from various Native American cultures. The tales include the story of Crazy Horse’s Vision Quest. Bruchac has received the American Book Award, the rent’s Choice Award, and the Skipping Stones Award for multicultural literature. Appropriate for Grades 5-8.

Golston, S. (1996).  Changing woman of the Apache: women's lives in past and present (The American Indian experience).  New York: F. Watts.
Golston describes the Apache Sunrise ceremony marking a girl’s passage into adulthood.  The ceremony celebrates the sacredness of women in the Apache culture.  Has notes appended to aid research about the Apache culture.  Gr. 8-12.

Van Ness Seymour, T. (1993).  The gift of changing woman.  New York: Henry Holt & Company.
Author conveys a first person account of the Apache Sunrise Ceremony, a rite of passage.  A celebration of a girl’s coming of age as marked by her first menarche.  Picture book format.  Quotes from tribe members make this a valuable record of this custom, provides a personal dimension and adds depth to the narrative and are incorporated throughout the text.  Gr. 5-8.

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This page was last updated 20-May-2001
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