The Outsiders

The Outsiders
Hinton, S. E., 1997.
(first published in 1967).
The Outsiders.
New York: Puffin Books.
192 pages, paperback.
$9.99
ISBN 9780140385724.

Format: book
Rating: 5.0/5.0 stars

Plot Summary
Fourteen year old Ponyboy Curtis’ parents died tragically in a car accident, so he is now being raised by his two older brothers, nicknamed Sodapop and Darry. Living in the poor section of town, they are part of a gang of greasers. But, Ponyboy is a bit different then his brothers and their friends. While Darry is serious and often hard on Ponyboy, Sodapop is closer in age, much more personable and is more supportive of Ponyboy.

The other side of town has a group of wealthy, privileged boys (the Socs) with nothing better to do than taunt the greasers every chance they get – often beating up on them when they discover them alone or in pairs. When Ponyboy and Johnny show kindness to a few school girls while at the movies, a place they go often to stay out of trouble, they have a run-in with the Socs. Things go from bad to worse for Ponyboy, and he reconsiders what it is to be a greaser, a friend, and a brother.

Critical Evaluation
Hinton wrote The Outsiders over forty years ago, and many of the truths still hold true today as she explores classism and how it stereotypes without always telling the whole story. She also explores relationships including family and friendships, the hierarchy of gangs and gang fights, robbery, and murder – all written in a clear, believable prose.

Ponyboy is a complex character, trapped in a role of being a greaser and all of the limitations that implies; yet he is so smart and talented that he should have so many more opportunities than he is being given. Hinton’s style allows the reader to immediately connect with and feel compassion for Ponyboy. She pulls readers into the relationships, and gets them cheering for the greasers who are as much the victims as the bullies. It reflects the human nature of each character with such care that readers cheer for them and feel sadness with each loss. Written about and intended for high school students, as society has changed greatly, The Outsiders now has a strong readership as young as middle school, as it is still used in classrooms across the country.

Reader’s Annotation
Ponyboy is shy and trying to avoid getting ambushed by the spoiled kids (Socs) who bully him and his friends (greasers) for the fun of it. Then, one night, a simple walk home from the movies changes all of their lives.

Information About the Author
S. E. (Susan Eloise) Hinton began writing The Outsiders at the age of 15, while still in high school, inspired by two rival gangs at her school: Will Rogers High School. It was published in 1967, has sold more than fourteen million copies, and is still used in classrooms across the country for its frank depiction of the social structure in American high schools. Even in the 1990’s The Outsiders was still considered controversial enough to make the American Library Association’s (ALA) “most frequently challenged books”. It has been her best selling book and what she likes most is “how it has taught a lot of kids to enjoy reading” (Hinton, 2011).

Hinton used her initials instead of her name so that her work wouldn’t be easily dismissed, and so male readers wouldn’t know that she was a girl. While The Outsiders is her most highly recognized work, she is also known for her YA novels: That was Then, This is Now (1971), Rumble Fish (1975), Tex (1979), and Taming the Star Runner (1988). More recently, she has published several children’s books.

She was the first recipient awarded the Margaret Edwards Award by the Young Adult Library Services Association for her collection of work. She has also been honored with the Arrell Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into the Oklahoma Writer’s Hall of Fame.

(Hinton, 2011), (Hinton-wiki, 2011), (eNotes, 2006) and (InfoPlease, 2011)

Genre:

Fiction: Issues – outsiders

Curriculum Ties

The Outsiders ties perfectly to a study on literature and culture, as well as psychological and sociological examinations on human behavior.

Booktalking Ideas
1) greasers and modern gangs

2) Ponyboy torn between his gentleness and being forced to defend himself as a greaser, all because of where and how he lives

Book Trailer Links
Book trailer by a Reader

Reading Level/Interest Age
Grades 9-12 / Middle & High School
(respectfully disagree with Amazon's grade 3 and up rating!)

Challenge Issues
bullies, gang violence, underage drinking, smoking, teen sex, and murder

First, I would share some of the recommendations used as part of the selection process, including reviews from resources as noted below. Next, I would point out the value in allowing these types of materials to be optional reading as teens grow ever closer to adulthood and making their own decisions. Finally, following our school district’s policy #KEC, after explaining that our school district’s philosophy is that no parent or group of parents has the right to determine the reading matter for children other than their own, I would refer the parent or community member to the building principal, so that he/she can file a written complaint to begin the process of review.

Awards
Chicago Tribune Book World Spring Book Festival Honor Book, 1967
New York Herald Tribune Best Teenage Books List, 1967
American Library Association Best Young Adults Books, 1975
Media and Methods Maxi Award, 1975
Massachusetts Book Award, 1979

Why Title Included & Selection Tools
The Outsiders is one of only a half-dozen titles I've ever intentionally read more than once. The story is a timeless classic that every teen should read, to be reminded of the issues that surround, even today, social class and how it strongly influences one's path to adulthood.

NoveList, H. W. Wilson's Senior High Core Collection, ALA Notable/Best Books, Booklist, The Horn Book