Read the following rite of passage/young adult fiction story and complete the activity below.
You can also research the genre online to help you find the answers.
Ella looked around the table at the familiar faces, suddenly aware that it would be the last time that they would all sit together. Sure, they would meet again when everyone was home for the holidays but the days of lounging for hours, lingering over chai lattes, sharing a low-fat muffin, while discussing school work, these days were almost over. So many hours had been spent here in Starbucks, and soon she would be drinking her chai latte alone, at least until she had made some friends. An outgoing girl, she was hopeful that she would find friends soon after her arrival in London. Until now she had been looking forward to going, but the day of departure was close now and she worried about how she would cope.
Just two days later she was on a plane, her first flight alone. She felt anxious but tried not to show it, acting blasé, as if she flew alone on a weekly basis. Accepting the offer of tea from the flight attendant she flicked nervously through the in-flight magazine, not seeing the words in front of her. Instead she visualised her home, imagined her mother coming home from the airport, greeting the dog, putting the kettle on. Yes, Mum would have tea and treat herself to a chocolate biscuit. Blinking back tears at the thought of her mother cuddling their dog for comfort, she looked out of the window. Grey. Grey. Grey. Descending from the clouds she saw London appear below her through the drizzle.
Once inside the airport building, she followed the other passengers blindly, going through passport control and then down snaking corridors to find her luggage. Dragging two cases she headed for the exit, hoping that her mother’s friend was there. Emerging from behind the smoked glass doors, she was disorientated by the noise and the confusion of Heathrow Airport. People everywhere, shouting, waving, laughing as they caught their loved ones to them and held them tight. Slightly frantic she searched the crowd for Aunt Elisabeth, sighing in relief as she spotted the distinctive red haired woman. Aunt Elisabeth enfolded her in a warm and fragrant hug. At once, Ella was reminded of the holidays that they had spent together in France, her mother and Ella sitting until the wee hours of the morning laughing and talking. Swept by a wave of homesickness she clung to Aunt Elisabeth and struggled not to cry.
Aunt Elisabeth swept Ella into the car, chattering all the time. As they crept their way up the slip road to the M25 Ella began to feel better. By the time they had reached the University grounds, the sun was peeping through the clouds, warming the red brick facade. Standing outside the Halls of Residence, Ella lifted her chin, straightened her spine and took a confident step forward.
Typical settings
Characters
Common conflicts/problems
Language features
Famous examples
Typical settings:
- Starbucks, where the characters often meet and spend time together
- An airport, where Ella experiences anxiety and confusion upon arriving in London
- The University grounds, where Ella arrives to start her new chapter of life
Characters:
- Ella, the main protagonist who is about to embark on a new journey in London
- Ella's mother, who is back home and is a source of comfort and longing for Ella
- Aunt Elisabeth, who picks Ella up from the airport and provides support and guidance
Common conflicts/problems:
- The fear and anxiety of leaving home and starting a new chapter in life
- The struggle to make new friends and fit in
- Homesickness and longing for family and familiar surroundings
Language features:
- Descriptive language, such as describing the sights and sounds of the airport or the feelings of homesickness
- Inner monologue, where Ella reflects on her emotions and thoughts
- Dialogue, through conversations between characters
Famous examples:
- "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky
- "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green
- "The Hunger Games" trilogy by Suzanne Collins
Typical settings for rite of passage/young adult fiction stories can vary, but some common settings include high schools, colleges/universities, summer camps, small towns, and urban cities.
In this particular story, the setting includes a Starbucks coffee shop where the main character and her friends spend time together. The story also takes place on a plane during the main character's first flight alone and at Heathrow Airport in London. Finally, it takes place at a university's Halls of Residence.
The characters in rite of passage/young adult fiction stories are usually young adults or teenagers who are going through a significant period of change or growth. They often grapple with issues of identity, independence, relationships, and personal challenges.
In this story, the main character, Ella, is a young woman who is leaving her familiar surroundings and embarking on a new adventure in London. Her mother and Aunt Elisabeth are also mentioned as important figures in her life.
Common conflicts or problems in rite of passage/young adult fiction stories often revolve around self-discovery, fitting in, making friends, overcoming obstacles, and navigating new environments.
In this story, Ella's main conflict revolves around her fears and worries about leaving her friends and familiar surroundings behind as she moves to a new city. She also experiences homesickness and anxiety during her first flight alone and struggle to cope with the noise and confusion at Heathrow Airport.
Language features in rite of passage/young adult fiction stories can include descriptive imagery, internal thoughts and emotions of the characters, dialogue that reflects the age and experiences of the characters, and introspective reflections on personal growth and change.
In this story, the language features include descriptive language to depict Ella's feelings of anxiety, homesickness, and excitement. The use of imagery is also present, such as the grey and drizzly view of London from the plane and the warmth and fragrance of Aunt Elisabeth's hug.
Famous examples of rite of passage/young adult fiction stories include "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger, "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky, "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green, and "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. These stories often explore themes of coming-of-age, self-discovery, and the challenges of adolescence.
Typical settings: The story takes place in different settings including a Starbucks café where Ella spends time with friends, an airplane during her first solo flight, Heathrow Airport upon her arrival in London, and the University grounds where she is dropped off at the Halls of Residence.
Characters: The main character is Ella, a young woman who is leaving home to study in London. Aunt Elisabeth is introduced as a supporting character who meets Ella at the airport. Other friends and family members are mentioned briefly.
Common conflicts/problems: The story highlights the internal conflict and emotions that Ella experiences as she leaves her familiar surroundings and faces the uncertainty of starting a new chapter in her life. She feels anxious, homesick, and worries about making new friends in London.
Language features: The language in the story is descriptive, evoking emotion and setting the scene for each location Ella finds herself in. It includes sensory details such as the taste and smell of tea, the drizzle outside the airplane window, and the noise and confusion of the airport.
Famous examples: "Rite of passage" and "young adult fiction" are broad genres that include numerous famous examples. Some popular young adult books that explore similar themes of leaving home and transitioning into adulthood include "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger, "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky, and "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green.