The Outsiders

Reader reviewed by Samuel

The Outsiders was written by S.E. Hinton and published by Viking Press. The author of the book, Susan Erica Hinton was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma in July 22, 1948. She wrote this novel when she was only 19 years old! She wrote this book based on her high school, which was divided in two groups, Socs and Greasers, just like the book. Another reason Susan may have written this novel was because she wanted to show the theme, love. The groups in the school probably didnt love each, so they most likely wouldnt risk their lives for others. A premise for this fascinating book might be: Even small people who are scared can become brave heroes. I think Susan Hinton showed this theme clearly in this novel. The book even gave the reason why the small person, in this book, saved some strangers.
This story begins with two divided groups of people, the well-off, unfeeling Socs and the poor, tough Greasers. The Socs were a group of teenagers who beat up Greasers who were alone, just for the fun of it! The Greasers were tough and unforgiving because of their harsh, cruel lives. The lives of the main character, Ponyboy, and the supporting character, Johnny, are shown in the novel, which takes place in a town in Oklahoma, U.S.A sometime in the 1960s.
There was one night when Ponyboy and Johnny went outside. Suddenly a Mustang drove toward them, and a group of Socs came out. Because of their hatred for Greasers and their alcohol, they planned to kill the two boys. Because Johnny was so scared and angry, he got out his knife and killed the Socs leader. The rest of the group were terrified and ran off to inform the police about this incident. Ponyboy and Johnny didnt want to be killed for this crime, so they ran away to an abandoned church. At this unfamiliar place, Ponyboy and Johnny saved several kids from a fire. While they were doing this, a large piece of burning wood hit Johnny on the back and broke his backbone. The ambulance came rushing and immediately took Johnny to the hospital. Will he survive, or will he embrace the coming of the abyss? If you want the answer to this question, you will have to read the rest of the book for yourself. This intriguing novel will draw to a close in the dramatic ending.
This book was absolutely astounding! Hinton described the characters and the plot so clearly, that the story seemed to be true. The plot had loads of twists and turns I didnt expect, so I had a real wild ride while reading this novel. Even though my favorite types of books arent classical, this book really pulled me into the story! I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to travel back in time and see life as a 14-year old Greaser. The Outsiders was totally breathtaking!

Reader reviewed by Jimmy

It is about a group of boys that are in a gang. They are called the greasers. They fight another gang and kill a person. The cops are looking for them, so they go out in the middle of no where. There is a fire at an old chirch and this kid named Johnny goes in and saves the kids, but something burning falls on him.

This book is amazing. You got to read it. It is good, and sad. It think that anyone who reads it would like it. This book is really not like any other book.

Reader reviewed by PJR

I teach 7th grade reading and often at this age, many students don't especially like to read. I average about 140 students a day and I've noticed that many males of this age "don't like reading anything at all."
That's the way they feel when they come in to my class. I can't say that I make all of them LOVE reading, but I can say that I teach "The Outsiders" every year and 99% of my students, male and female, love it.
At first, it's hard for the students to get used to the lingo and I often have to explain some of the happenings (because it is set in the 60's) but they end up loving it! They become very attached to the characters and can't wait to see what happend next.
After we've finished the book, the students get to watch the movie, then do a comparison/contrast with the movie and the book.
I recently ran in to a former student of mine (that I'd taught 3 years ago) and one of the first things he asked was if I was still teaching "The Outsiders." When I said I was, he smiled and said that was great, because it was an awesome book. (This particular student is classified as a non-reader and hadn't been interested in any other book in his life!)

Reader reviewed by Samantha Watt

I had to read this for one of my summer books, and I must say i didn't like it.

The time period, setting, didn't like. It was too...depressing for me. Most people tell me oh thats so good, like it impacted their lives.

This book i am sad to say didn't reach out to me. I can't see how others think it can.

Reader reviewed by Vanessa

Summary: Ponyboy Curtis is a greaser. Greasers barely have money, own no madras jackets, and drive no Corvettes-- unlike the Socials. The Socials, or Socs, have everything you can think they'd want. Yet their number one hobby is beating up the greasers. Ponyboy has to be careful of Socs when he walks the streets, that's why he and his friends have each other's backs. His brothers, biological or not... Soda, Darry, Dally, Johnny, Two-Bit, and Steve will do anything to keep each other safe from Socs. One night however, after picking up a couple of the Soc's girlfriends, the Socs come back to beat up Johnny and Ponyboy, taking things too far. Johnny kills a Soc, trying to save Ponyboy from being killed. Now Johnny and Ponyboy are being chased by the cops. The murder sticks to Ponyboy, who no longer is proud of the fact that Socs and greasers fight. More unbelievable acts occur, shaking the greasers. Ponyboy asks himself, why do we fight, if all we do is cause more hatred?
My Thoughts (may contain spoilers): Good book. Easy, short read. I thought it was going to be better though. I don't know, I'm weird. I liked That Was Then, This Is Now better than The Outsiders. Ponyboy was real. I was very sad that Johnny and Dally died, more Johnny because he was sweet and liked when Ponyboy read to him. I think Darry's and Ponyboy's relationship was real, since Darry was like the guardian taking care of Soda and him. I kinda wished something happened between Ponyboy and Cherry, they were cute when they spoke together. Again, good read, but I thought it would've been better.

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Reader reviewed by wiicked

This was such a real, and emotion novel. On a first glance, it may seem very one dimensional with no real story, but as you think about it, the characters and events really jump out at you and talk to you. Ponyboy is such a different character, yet somehow, you can completely relate to him as he rocks back and forth in the sea of harships. He has a very unique personality, and a very different outlook to life than the rest of his gang, but as the story progresses, you can also see the changes that occur within him and then way he sees things. A fantastic read allinall.

Reader reviewed by Jamie

I liked this book a lot. It had morals. It taught me how different choices influence everything that happens in the future. It also taught that your choices can influence everything and everyone around you. I enjoyed the way that the book was written also. It was written in such a way that I felt that I was there, that I was ponyboy. I felt the pain when Dally hit the flames out on Ponys back. I thought that the bond that all the boys shared was really special.

Reader reviewed by Dede

14 year old Ponyboy and his brothers, Darry and Sodapop, are living together after the death of their parents. Darry is the oldest so becomes the parental figure and gives up his football dreams to get a job to keep them all together. Along with their friends, Johnny and Dally mostly, they are a band that the high class "Socs" call "Greasers." This book takes a look at the different classes of people in a town and how there assumptions of eachother can be mistaken. Johnny and Ponyboy are the main players in this book. The Socs go around beating up the Greasers, particularly if they can catch one of them alone. There are rumbles that are just a part of the life for the Greasers. When the Socs get upset at Johnny and Pony for talking to their girls, they catch them alone one night and start physically fighting. Johnny shoots one of the Socs and kills him, so Johnny and Ponyboy go on the run. What follows is a story of who people are regardless of what people choose to label them. This story is very touching and an inside look into people, what makes them tick, and their love for eachother.

Reader reviewed by undercover reader

Ponyboy is part of the gang called the Greasers. The Greasers hate the Sox (over privlidged rich kids who pick on the Greasers for fun). Ponyboy's parents died in a car crash. He lives with his brothers Sodapop and Darry. Who often get into fights over his future.


I read this book in language arts I thought it was okay. The movie was also fine. I reccomend this book for 12+.

Reader reviewed by Blake

This is one of the books i have read that i actually finished once i got in to it i couldnt stop i finished before the whole class did this is my idea of a good book action packed and exciting i think it is amazing that best friends and brothers can bond together to form a family this is a good book i would recemend it !