The Outsiders

Hinton, S.E. The Outsiders. New York: Puffin Books, 1997, c1967.

Annotation: Ponyboy Curtis and the rest of the Greaser gang discover the tribulations of friendship, loss, and growing up after a fight with a rival gang leads to murder.

Book Review:

Clothes, money, social status, attitude, hair and stereotypes often define which gang or clique you are a part of in high school. As for Ponyboy and his friends they’re known as Greasers and they take pride in their style especially their signature greasy hair. Pulled together from different backgrounds the Greasers friendship stems from acceptance and knows no boundaries. When a seemingly normal night turns into a fight with their rival the Socs, both gangs are changed forever. With one Soc dead and one Greaser a murderer individuals from each begin to discover that appearances are deceiving. S.E. Hinton’s timeless story explores real emotions felt by everyone regardless of their clique. Issues with absent parents, identity, death, fear, vulnerability, and a need to fit in consume these teenagers and friendships help push them through. Not your average happy ending The Outsiders reminds you that everybody has a story and like one of the Socs said, “Things are rough all over.”

Awards:

New York Herald Tribune Best Teenage Books List, 1967
Chicago Tribune Book World Spring Book Festival Honor Book, 1967
Media and Methods Maxi Award, 1975
ALA Best Young Adult Books, 1975
Massachusetts Children’s Book Award, 1979

Image credit: http://titlepeek.fsc.follett.com

Check out this book trailer with audio clips from the author, S.E. Hinton!