The Outsiders

The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton
Orginal ISBN 978-0670062515
Viking Press, 1967.
188 pages

Plot Summary: 14-year old Ponyboy Curtis and his brothers
and friends (collectively known as the “Greasers”) are constantly at odds with the rich kids living on the other side of town (the “Socs”). When tensions escalate between the two groups and tragedy strikes, Ponyboy is faced with the choice of becoming hardened or staying the sweet and introspective boy he has always been.

Critical Evaluation: Being written by a teenager, there is a definite and authentic teenage voice. The Outsiders is filled with the uncertainty and angst that tweens and teens often feel, especially at that time of their lives when they are trying to figure out where and how they fit into the world.

Present in the novel is the theme of rich versus poor. Another important theme is honor among those considered unruly. Even though the Greasers are considered “hoodlums,” they follow a strict code in which they protect each other. The boys even put themselves in harm’s way to save children from a burning church.

There is a great deal of symbolism in the book that can explored.

The novel was made into a movie in 1983. It was directed by Francis Ford Coppola and starred many of (who would become) acting’s greatest stars (Tom Cruise and Patrick Swayze, to name just a few).

Reader’s Annotation: Ponyboy Curtis’ being from the wrong side of the tracks has made him an outsider. He can now decide to be an outsider of his own group on his own terms.

Author Information: S. E. (Susan Eloise) Hinton, an American writer born in 1948, started writing The Outsiders while in high school. The book was published when she turned 18. The publishers recommended she use her initials to avoid her feminine name from being used as the author. S. E. Hinton is often credited with changing how Young Adult fiction is written and read. It is said that she wrote The Outsiders in part because most other YA fiction was unrealistic and fluffy.  In August of 2012, NPR reported that The Outsiders was considered by listeners to be the thirteenth of “100 Best-Ever Teen Novels.”

S. E. Hinton was the initial recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award in 1988. She has written four other YA novels and other juvenile and adult books. 

Her website can be found at http://www.sehinton.com/

Genre: Realistic fiction; Coming-of-age

Curriculum Ties: English Language Arts is discussing theme and symbolism

Booktalking Ideas: I would also show the trailer to the movie or read the first paragraph of the novel.

Reading Level / Interest Age: Grades 7 to 10

Lexile: 750

Challenge Issues: The Outsiders was ranked #38 on ALA’s “100 Most Frequently Challenged Books: 1990-1999.” Most challenges are due to the book’s depiction of gang violence, underage drinking and smoking, and profanity.

Reason for Item’s Inclusion: The Outsiders is an absolute classic. It continues to be read by tweens and teens in classrooms all across America. Its themes and message are timeless.

Resources:

American Library Association. (n. d.). 100 most frequently challenged books: from 1990-1999. Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/advocacy/banned/frequentlychallenged/challengedbydecade/1990_1999

National Public Radio. (2012, August 7). Your favorites: 100 best-ever teen novels. Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/2012/08/07/157795366/your-favorites-100-best-ever-teen-novels