The Outsiders

Hinton, S. E. (2016). The Outsiders 50th Anniversary Edition. Penguin Young Readers Group. ISBN 978-0425288290

Plot Summary:

"No one ever said life was easy. But Ponyboy is pretty sure that he's got things figured out. He knows that he can count on his brothers, Darry and Sodapop. And he knows that he can count on his friends—true friends who would do anything for him, like Johnny and Two-Bit. But not on much else besides trouble with the Socs, a vicious gang of rich kids whose idea of a good time is beating up on “greasers” like Ponyboy. At least he knows what to expect—until the night someone takes things too far." (Hinton, n.d.)

Analysis:

The Outsiders is a classic YA novel and an original example of the genre. The author was only fifteen when she began writing about Ponyboy, Sodapop, Johnny and the rest of the gang. From the opening lines, we are captivated by the intense emotion and drama of our teenage characters. They live their lives so much in the moment, we can’t help but feel the fear and the thrill in their experience of their small world. 

The author writes in a conversational narrative that is easy to follow and hard to put down. The book is mostly young men with only a couple of female characters. This would be an outrageous imbalance by today's writing norms, but given the time of the writing and the setting of the book the absence of female characters is more a footnote than an offense. 

Hinton so artfully wraps us up in the thoughts of Ponyboy and his crew that we forget there is an author behind the pen at all. Themes of violence, homelessness, family tragedy, social hierarchy, and danger are all addressed in a matter of fact tone. It is simply the way it is, and our characters develop as they try to make sense of their plight in any way they can. The references to Gone With the Wind, and Robert Frost’s poetry add a lyrical aesthetic to the plot, giving our characters dimension. They are not just delinquents, or orphans, or misguided teens. They see the world in a poetic way that lends an unexpected softness to their circumstances.

I would recommend The Outsiders to any YA reader who craves an intense and engaging story. There is violence that could deter some readers, but the characters will have your attention from the first page turn.

Book Reviews:

 "The Outsiders transformed young-adult fiction from a genre mostly about prom queens, football players and high school crushes to one that portrayed a darker, truer world." 

—The New York Times

"This remarkable novel gives a moving, credible view of the outsiders from the inside...we meet powerful characters in a book with a powerful message." 

—The Horn Book

Connections:

• The Penguin Books edition of the outsiders (ISBN 9780142407332) offers a discussion guide for students to further explore themes, attitudes, and references made in the book.

• An interview with author S.E. Hinton is printed in the book that gives insight and explanation for the story and the author herself.

• The 1983 motion picture adaptation honors the integrity of the book and was directed in association with the author.

Awards:

A New York Herald Tribune Best Teenage Book

A Chicago Tribune Book World Spring Book Festival Honor Book

An ALA Best Book for Young Adults

Winner of the Massachusetts Children's Book Award

References

Hinton, S. (n.d.). The Outsiders: S. E. Hinton: 9780142407332. Amazon.com. Retrieved September 16, 2023, from https://www.amazon.com/Outsiders-S-Hinton/dp/014240733X/ref=sr_1_4?crid=SNJO9KAVWN1O&keywords=the+outsiders&qid=1694907032&sprefix=the+outsiders%2Caps%2C184&sr=8-4

Hinton, S. E. (2016). The Outsiders 50th Anniversary Edition. Penguin Young Readers Group.

This review was created as an assignment for SHSU LSSL 5385.