Just finished reading Laura Nowlin's "If He Had Been With Me" for my teen literature project and wow the thematic elements in this novel is amazing! The way Nowlin uses fall metaphors throughout the book to represent growth and the inevitability coming of age novel themes (pcea.org.au) growing up is so well done - notably how Autumn's name itself becomes this symbolic device that connects the entire YA romance symbolism. Can we talk about that crown moment though? The symbolism there with the crown symbolizing the weight of expectation was so powerful and I think it's the kind of literary devices that makes this excellent for YA book analysis. Other readers notice how the seasonal motifs builds as the character matures? This novel needs more YA fiction analysis because the symbolism breakdown is way deeper than people realize.