The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton Date of Publication: 1967 ISBN: 0-14-038572-X Number of Pages: 180

REQUIRED READING ABILITY: Intermediate: Average
GENRES: Realism
THEMES : Family – Coming of Age – Prejudice – Good versus Evil – Appearance versus Reality – Loyalty – Sacrifice and Redemption - Survival

SUMMARY:
Michael (“Ponyboy”) Curtis lives with his two older brothers, Darry and Sodapop, since their parents were killed in a car accident. He is on his way home alone from a movie when the story begins, and encounters the rival gang in town, the Socials (“Socs”), who threaten him. This makes their rivalry worse, and when a member of the Socs is killed by Ponyboy’s best friend, Johnny, things become critical. The boys end up on the run, hiding out in an abandoned church in a neighbouring town. Here they learn what really matters in life – and it is a lesson that will change each of their lives forever…

WHO WOULD LOVE THIS BOOK? A kid who...
- has a rough homelife
- enjoys stories of survival
- likes sad stories
- likes stories that feel “real”
- is interested in gangs and street wars
- enjoys stories that are rooted in the 1950’s
- is being raised by an older sibling
- loves the movie The Outsiders or other books by S. E. Hinton

This book is recommended for students in grades 7 and 8 only (Young Adult).

WHAT ELSE?
There are two deaths of main characters, including one that could be construed as a suicide. In addition, there are many references to smoking, drinking, and even drugs, as this is the world in which the main characters live. The violence and language is handled within the context of the story, but some readers might be put off by it, so be aware.

RELATED LINKS:
This story was written by S. E. Hinton when she was only fifteen. It is a classic of young adult literature, and has a movie version, a television version, and numerous companion novels.
For more information, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Outsiders_(novel) and the author’s official site, http://www.sehinton.com/ .