Classical Fiction Genre "The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton

Hinton, S. E.. The Outsiders. New York: Viking Press, 1967. Print; ISBN: 978-0-14-038572-4; Paperback Price $9.99.

Annotation

Explore the youth culture of a group called the Greasers through the eyes of Ponyboy Curtis and their ongoing rivalry with the local rich kids, the Socs. This story takes a look Ponyboy’s life as he goes through emotional and traumatic events that will shape him into a different person from the beginning to the end of the novel.

Awards

• "New York Herald Tribune Best Teenage Books List" 1967
• "Chicago Tribune Book World Spring Book Festival Honor Book" 1967
• "Media and Methods Maxi Award" 1975
• "ALA Best Young Adult Books" 1975
• "Massachusetts Children’s Book Award" 1979

Mini Book Review 

S.E. Hinton’s book, “The Outsiders” is a classic in the way of young adult literature. It features 14-year-old Ponyboy Curtis and his social group known as the Greasers. In the book, the Greasers have a longstanding rivalry with a group of rich kids known as the Socs. After the book brings up background information of the two groups, we get in detail about Ponyboy’s life with his brothers, Darrel and Sodapop, and their gang of Greasers. Further detail is given to another primary protagonist named Johnny who prior to the events of the book was jumped by a group of Socs. Once the background information is given, the book takes a dark turn as Ponyboy and Johnny are jumped by a group of Socs and things quickly get out of hand, resulting in an event that would change Ponyboy’s life forever.

In terms of literature, this is clearly a masterpiece. Possibly one of the greatest classics in the Young Adult literature, I think it will appeal to young adults from middle school up because it brings up at one point or another issues that young adults may or may not deal with at some point in their lives. I recommend this book not only because of the fact that it is a classic and can reach out to plenty of young adults, but because of the way it causes its readers to think about their lives and the lives of those around them and brings up the question of what an outsider truly is. 
 

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