Coming of Age

All of these stories can be considered coming of age stories because the narrators discover important truths about life as a result of their experiences. Julian, for instance, learns to take responsibility for his own actions. Chris learns not to take the important people in his life for granted. Charlotte learns the importance of getting to know other people rather than just working from assumptions she has made about them.

Julian blames others for his hateful behavior toward Auggie until he hears his grandmother’s story and realizes how shamefully he has acted. His grandmother tries to comfort him as he cries, but he tells her: “No, you don’t understand! … It wasn’t just one mistake. I was one of those kids who was mean to Tourteau….I was the bully, Grandmère. It was me!” (83). Julian realizes that he can no longer...