The Outsiders
by S.E. Hinton
Classics, Young-Adult, Fiction, School, Read-For-School, Realistic-Fiction, Coming-Of-Age
The Outsiders is about two weeks in the life of a 14-year-old boy. The novel tells the story of Ponyboy Curtis and his struggles with right and wrong in a society in which he believes that he is an outsider. According to Ponyboy, there are two kinds of people in the world: greasers and socs. A soc (short for “social”) has money, can get away with just about anything, and has an attitude longer than a limousine. A greaser, on the other hand, always lives on the outside and needs to watch his back. Ponyboy is a greaser, and he’s always been proud of it, even willing to rumble against a gang of socs for the sake of his fellow greasers–until one terrible night when his friend Johnny kills a soc. The murder gets under Ponyboy’s skin, causing his bifurcated world to crumble and teaching him that pain feels the same whether a soc or a greaser.
Recommendations from Common Sense Media
Age Recommendation: 12+
What Parents Need to Know:
Parents need to know that this story of peer pressure, rebellion, and identity centers on two rival groups of teens, the lower-class “outsider” Greasers and the more well-heeled, popular Socs (short for Socials). It includes fighting, underage drinking, delinquent behavior, a rumble, a fatal stabbing, and a suicide. But the indelible characters and compelling story have consistently hooked middle school kids, teens, and reluctant readers since The Outsiders was first published in 1967. This book appeals to preteens (many read it in sixth grade) because that’s the time when kids break into social cliques and life becomes tribal. The feelings of being ostracized are timeless — which is why this book is still so relevant more than 40 years after its original publication. Kids may also want to check out Francis Ford Coppola’s 1983 film version.
Educational Value: 2/5
Ponyboy is tough but loves literature. He reads Gone With the Wind to Johnny and recites the poem “Nothing Can Stay” by Robert Frost when they are hiding out, which may inspire readers to check out these works. This aspect of Ponyboy’s character conveys a message that reading is cool.
Positive Messages: 5/5
True friendship is golden, even an outsider can find his way, redemption and forgiveness are possible. Reading books and poetry is cool.
Positive Role Models: 3/5
Ponyboy’s gang, the Greasers, routinely engages in petty crime, although he avoids that behavior. He is loyal to his friends, a savior to some kids in danger, and is open-minded enough to see through Cherry that not all Socs are alike. He is also a great reader, and not afraid to show it.
Violence & Scariness: 3/5
A rumble between gangs is vividly described, but is mild compared with the gore teens encounter in media today. Ponyboy’s brother, Dally, hits him when he comes home late. One of the main characters accidentally kills a rival in an attempt to save his friend. A dangerous fire breaks out and a main character is seriously injured.
Sex, Romance & Nudity: 1/5
A few casual references to sex.
Language: n/a
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Products & Purchases: n/a
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Drinking, Drugs & Smoking: 2/5
Some members of the Socs show up drunk.
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