The Outsiders

The Outsiders
by S.E. Hinton
Published by the Penguin Group (2008)
180 pages; ages 16+

Synopsis: Ponyboy is in high school and lives with his two older brothers. While he is a greaser thought to always be picking a fight, he has to defend himself and the other greasers against the wealthy, respected Socs, whose goal is to beat up as many greasers as possible. Ponyboy's friend Johnny kills a Soc while Ponyboy is with him, and the two boys are forced to flee in order to escape jail. Ponyboy has to learn the importance of education and the love of his own brothers.

Genre: New Realism/Problem; Romance

Warning: graphic violence, underage drinking and smoking, language, intense family and friends drama

Recommendations: That Was Then, This Is Now by S.E. Hinton; Monster by Walter Dean Myers; The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier; Getting Away with Murder: The True Story of the Emmett Till Case by Chris Crowe