The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. New York: Random House, 1968.

 

Ponyboy is just interested in trying to get along with his brothers Sodapop and Darrel, hanging out with his "greaser" friends, and coping with the loss of his parents. Then his friend Johnny gets in trouble and they must run from the law.

 

Ages 14-18

Genre: Realistic fiction – this story has a realistic setting and characters; it uses colloquial language and tragedy

Appealing aspects of this book – sibling relationships; gangs; HS boys; life choices; likeable protagonist; misfits vs. popular majority

Uses for this book in schools – conflict fiction across time; life choices fiction across genres; social stratification in fiction

Other books by this author:
Rumblefish
Tex
That Was Then, This is Now

Learn more about the author from this interview/bio: S.E. Hinton

Recommendations:
Booklist
School Library Journal
Hornbook
Best of the Best, 1960-1974 (ALA)
Margaret A. Edwards Award, 1988