The Outsiders

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Hinton, S.E. The Outsiders. 1967. New York: Viking Press, 1995. Print. ISBN: 978-0142407332 Paperback. U.S. $10.00

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

Annotation: Ponyboy and his friends discover their ability to see beyond their circumstances and create a future free of violence and competition.

Review

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

      A triumphant tale of growth and heartache, The Outsiders remains a relevant coming of age story forty years after its publication.  S.E. Hinton’s classic tale of a group of young men growing up amidst 1960s gang violence is full of action, emotion, and depth. This book certainly casts a new light on West Side Story’s Sharks and Jets. Orphaned, but cared for by his loving older brothers and his street-tough friends Ponyboy is the youngest of this unconventional family of “greasers.” The boys are used to daily battles with the “socs,” the greasers’ wealthy, violent enemies.  As far as Ponyboy is concerned, things are going fine, until a surprise attack goes very, very wrong and he and Johnny are on the run. The experience leaves Ponyboy full of confusion, contradiction, and concern. Suddenly, the life he had loved doesn’t feel as comfortable anymore. Johnny’s instruction for Ponyboy to “stay gold (p. 148)” leaves room for interpretation and discussion. Ponyboy speaks with an authentic voice that reflects both his youthful ignorance and the wisdom gained through years of rough living. The Outsiders has been considered revolutionary in the field of young adult literature partly because of its accurate representation of the teenage experience at the time.  The Outsiders is ideal for the teenage audience due to its length, pacing, and engrossing fusion of external action and internal struggle. The lack of profanity and sexual content and the fairly benign (by today’s standards) descriptions of violent encounters makes The Outsiders a good option for 6^th-10^th graders. While Ponyboy’s internal experience is still relevant, teenagers may have a difficult time relating to his situation, environment, and language. Teens interested in realistic fiction, action, and young men’s coming of age stories may enjoy this book.  More likely to appreciate this story, however, are individuals who work with teens and individuals who lived through this period of history.  

Hear what S.E. Hinton has to say about the book and movie! SPOILERS!