The Outsiders by
S.E. Hinton is about a gang (group of friends) known as the 'greasers' that live in a neighborhood where violence is the only way to survive. I've read this book over five times. It relates to everyone's life in some odd way. I think this book is very emotional, it actually made me cry. It's something that pulls you in, and makes you feel the pain of the kids in the book. In my opinion,
The Outsiders is a great book for people for all ages.
- Reviewed by Marika, grade 9.
Comments
Reviewed by Janette, grade 9.
Central
I loved this book very much no parts were boring at all. This was on of the few gangster books that I actually enjoyed reading. I loved all the gang battles that were going on. It was even funny to read at times. The story may be about two different gangs fighting to see who is the best but there is much more in it like romance and comedy. The book really doesn't not have any violet scenes but I would still only recommend for teens to read the story. If you are looking for a action pact story with a hint of romance then this is the book for you.
Reviewed by Armand, grade 9
Central Library
This book can very emotional to some readers. It gets more interesting after each chapter. I would recommend this to teens and young adults, especially those who are interested in how gang members live.
Reviewed by Frederick S., grade 9
Montrose Library
I liked this book because it was caring and really sad. I think my friends would like this book because we read this at 7th grade and everyone liked it.
Reviewed by Eugene Shin, grade 9
Montrose Library
Reviewed by Christian W., Montrose Library
One quote which has stayed in my head until today is when Johnny says "Stay Gold Ponyboy." In my opinion, Johnny was telling Ponyboy to stop fighting. He was trying to emphasize that fighting is pointless and that Pony is a great kid and he should focus more on school and the bigger, brighter stuff in life. Overall, this book really hit me. It showed me how two best friends not only stood up for each other, but went through so much. Throughout the story, my favorite part was the ending. Ponyboy had been assigned to write about anything, and he decided to write about what had happened for the last 2 weeks. The main lesson, was when Johnny told Ponyboy to stay gold, he meant he should stay innocent. The author shows the reader that you should accept people for who they are, because at the end of the day, even if one is a Soc and one a Greaser they live under the same sunrise and sleep under the same sunset.
Reviewed by M.G., grade 9
Montrose Library
The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton, is a good book to read when you want a dramatic story filled fights and a very detailed description of the events happening. This is a book that is at an elementary school level is the difficult of words but the content and story plot are at a teenager’s level. This is why I recommend the book to the age group around 13- 16 years because of the content and the entertainment level it brings to the reader. The end of the ending half of the story is very touching because it shows the close bond pony boy has with his friends.
Reviewed by: Nichole Z., grade 9
Glendale Central Library
Ponyboy has two brothers, Sodapop, and Darry. Sodapop is a not so serious gentleman and is considered to be a loser. Darry is a football player and he gave up his scholarship to college to take care of his two brothers as their parents died in a tragic car accident.
The gangs are divided into the rich kids, the Socs, and the poor kids, the Greasers. They have rumbles every now and then and just don't like each other. This conflict resolves in the murders of a few main characters.
The conflict begins when Johnny and Ponyboy are at the park and are attacked in the middle of the night by the Socs. Johnny kills one of the head leaders of the Socs in self defense and is traumatized by the murder. The murder of one of the head leaders results in bloody battles among the greasers and Socs.
I loved reading this story. It was pretty realistic and as we are teens, we can relate to it more than others. I would recommend this book to anybody is in the ages of 12-15. It's a fun book to read in your free time
The book is based on a real life incident and is hands down, a must read book. Older people may not find this entertaining and younger people may even find it boring, but if you are a teenager, it's the exact opposite and you will love reading this book.
Reading this book will be the first step to reading more mature novels.
Reviewed by Anonymous, Grade 8
Grandview Library
This book is just great. It connects to me because I like action and drama, and this is what the book is all about. It teaches me that we all should work together. Two people are better then one. You should always stick together in life and you'll win any obstacle in life. This book is great because it teaches actual life lessons. No one should be divided. Whether one has more money and just their social class. Because sometimes all you need is your imagination and best friend. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes action. The book gets very interesting and exciting and I would love to read this book again and again.
Reviewed by Nathan J., Grade 9
Pacific Park Library
This is one of the first books I’ve ever read from a teenage level and is still one of my favorites. This book shows prime examples of what it means to have true compassion, and be a teenager in trouble all in one. I highly recommend this book to young teenagers as im sure everyone will be able to relate to it one way or another. This story made me cry so many times. I learned what true friendship was because of this story. A perfect story line of what it is like to be a teenager with a difficult up ringing. This is a story of the street life from the view points of teens, and it teaches good morals and shows what true bonds are like when you have little biological family.
Reviewed by Anonymous, Grade 9
Glendale Central Library
I love this book. I like books about greasers and fighting and rivals. Its really cool. I'm not just saying this. It is an amazing book S.E. Hinton is one my favorite author. The books are amazing. The part i like is when johnny kills that guy to save Ponyboys lives. My least favorite part was Ponyboy getting beaten up. This book really gives you a rush it makes you feel exhilarated, excited, scared and sad when you come to some point of the story. You will get all these feelings. You can also put yourself in their shoes. Like should Ponyboy have ran away. Should johnny have killed him. What would happen if nobody was there to help Ponyboy while he was drowning to his death. There are a lot of parts that you can compare and contrast.
Reviewed by Alex Michael, Grade 7
Pacific Park Library
I really enjoyed the book and had a hard time putting it down. I liked how Ponyboy's struggles of what is right and wrong is discussed in the book. It was a very moving book and by the end I developed a special connection to the characters unlike any other compared to what I have read in the past. I really liked the book, it was well-written and I would recommend this to anyone.
Reviewed by Lusine M., Grade 9
Glendale Central Library
The Outsiders is easily one of the best books I've read in a long time. As a slow reader, it usually takes me a while to read a book, but I was able to blow through this one easily. I adored this book and its characters that feel so real that it's heartbreaking. I'm so glad that I read this book, because it instantly claimed a place in my heart. I especially loved the relationship between Ponyboy and his brothers and how his relationship with Darry evolved. I believe, like all of the others in their group, that Johnny deserved better than what he got. I also really just wish that everyone in their group was just allowed to be happy.
Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold.
Reviewed by T.A.Y, Grade 12
Glendale Central Library
The Outsiders was, at least for me, a radical book. I had at that point, only read books of childish nature, about things like teamwork and friendship and stories that were no more than stories. But The Outsiders was a completely different type of book, a book that told of not fairytale but the true nature of society. Given that this book is considered radical even today, I cannot imagine how controversial it could have been when it was released. Based on other books I've read, The Outsiders is a very different story. I would recommend this book for anyone old enough to understand it, possibly seventh or eighth graders, as I myself am in seventh grade. Anyone of the same or similar age to the boys in the story would be able to appreciate it in the way it was meant to be appreciated.
Reviewed by Isabelle D., Grade 7
Pacific Park Library
In my opinion I think that this is a must-read. It is a story that I think anyone can appreciate and one that will definitely make you think about how we live our lives. One of the huge selling points on this book for me is that It is not very difficult to read and understand. It does have a slightly more difficult vocabulary but one that outlines the story with immense detail.
Reviewed by Kevin N., Grade 9
Grandview Library
I loved this book in every way possible. I loved the story and the characters. It felt really fun to read and after I always wanted to know what is going to happen next. I loved the part where Johnny stabbed Bob since it really was not like him. My favorite character was Dally since he did not care a bit if he got into trouble. I recommend this book to everyone because of it's constant urge that it gives me to read more of it.
Reviewed by Anonymous, Grade 7
Grandview Library
I really Love this book and I read it for my 7th grader book. It has a very good story with Equally good characters. The story makes you feel like the Greasers are more like a family than a gang or group. It makes you care and notice each and every unique quality of every member of the Greasers. I would recommend this book for anyone and I am gonna go back and read it again. It is a very short book so noone should have a problem reading it for school. Overall this is one of my favorite books that I have read.
Reviewed by AB, Grade 8
Grandview Library
The Outsiders written by S.E Hilton is a great books because of many factors. The characters like Johnny and Ponyboy were great and they added anther factor to the other greaser gang member that act differently. This book also has a great story too which what happens with Ponyboy and Johnny at the middle of the story. I would recommend this book to anyone because of its great characters and the great story it has.
Reviewed by AB, Grade 9
Grandview Library
This is an amazing, awesome book. It felt like I was having an epic adventure, as if this was an adventurous journey I took while reading this. From a natural disaster to staying gold, it was so epic. I don't know how to say this in words but all I can say is this is a very enjoyable book. Since this is a book everyone would love, I would recommend anyone reading it. Just as long as the person is in their preteens because there is some intense violence and a bit of foul language. I know this is a book that a lot of people in my school, mostly teachers, would want their students to read such as middle school students and possibly high school students too. I didn't like some parts of the book, just a tiny bit probably because it can be a bit too detailed for my brain to process all that literature. The movie is also great as well. Just make sure whether it is reading the book or watching the movie it is age appropriate for you.
Reviewed by Hannah R., Grade 10
Downtown Central Library
The book, The Outsiders, is and always will be one of my favorite books of all time. I very much enjoyed this book, and did not want it to end. This book is very good for teens because it is very relatable for a lot of them. This book teaches many life lessons about friendship and trust. One of the interesting things about this book is that the author, S.E. Hilton, never mentions the words, ‘The Outsiders’, in the book. I would highly recommend this book to all teenage readers who want a good story.
Reviewed by Alexander B., Grade 9
Downtown Central Library
This book follows the story of a gang of boys in their teens, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1965. This gang is called "the greasers" and then we have their rivals, "The Socs". There is real conflict between these two gangs. Tension rises when our main character Ponyboy Curtis, is jumped by a Soc. Some of the Greasers end up getting caught in major conflict between the two gangs and our main characters find themselves fearing for their lives and needing to get out of town. The group of friend's courage and spirit is put to the test.
In my opinion, this book is quite a great read. Once I sat down to read it, I couldn't stop! The author does a wonderful job of keeping the readers engages by using great detail and powerful literary devices that really spoke to me. I could really relate to the characters and I stayed interested the whole time I was enjoying this book. After the first few chapters I really fell in love with the characters in this book, they're so realistic and easy to relate to. I fell that the readers got a really good look into the reality of the 60's. I would definitely recommend this book!
Reviewed by Angelina R., Grade 9
Montrose Library
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton is about three brothers who go by Ponyboy, Sodapop, and Darry. Ponyboy is 14, Sodapop is 16, and Darry is 20. The three boys had lately lost both their parents in a car wreck, and Darry has been looking over Sodapop and Ponyboy ever since. They, the Greasers, are on the beaten-up East Side of town where there is a lot of poverty, while their rivals (the Socs, aka Socials) are the West Side rich kids who are always fighting with them. Then, when Ponyboy and his friend Johnny were flirting with the Socs' girlfriends, the Socs followed the two boys down to the park and started beating them up and then tried drowning Ponyboy in the fountain, when Johnny went up to the person drowning him and stabbed him to death. Now, Johnny and Ponyboy are on the run with only $50 in their pocket and a map to a safe-house.
This book in my opinion, is outstandingly amazing! I remember reading this book for the first time a while back and I loved it. Perfect plot, and a very interesting conflict. I have even seen the movie, which is also very good. If you're into 60s-70s old-school books, I really suggest reading this (if you haven't already). The book made me feel very interested and astounded. The whole plot of the story was crazy. Overall, this story was amazingly good!
Reviewed by RC, Grade 9
Central Library
I did not like this book a lot. In my opinion, it is a very hard book to go through. I think that people around the age of seventeen will like this book. This book made me feel that being old is not the greatest thing. It taught me that you can change other people’s life in a good or bad way by your doings. I hope that everyone who reads this book can learn this too.
Reviewed by Jonah, Grade 9
Glendale Central Library
I read this book in seventh grade, but read it again a few months ago. This book does not get old, it's one of the most classical and emotional rollercoaster stories. One thing I like about this book is that it’s been many years since the book came out, but it hasn’t gotten any less interesting for teens. I recommend this book for people who can maybe relate to the narrator of this story, Ponyboy, and the pain he’s going through throughout the story. This book contains lots of adventure and realism and people who find those features compelling in a book should most definitely read The Outsiders.
Reviewed by AK, Grade 9
Montrose Library
This is a very good book to read at night before you sleep, or just read in your free time. What makes this book so good is how Ponyboy has to overcome pain, humiliation, and grief. Ponyboy believes that he is an outsider because of how different he is from the rest, but he does not realize how special this makes him. Ponyboy learns from his experiences and develops throughout the story. This book makes many people feel appreciative of how different they are. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in reading novels and has the free time to read them, but they have to understand the language because there are some high vocabulary and slang words in the book.
Reviewed by Aryan S., Grade 8
Glendale Central Library
The Outsiders is one of the first books I had the opportunity of reading after transferring schools from another country in the seventh grade. It surprised me how this book is not well known outside of the United States yet is one of the most popular and praised books in the country. Despite the basic idea of the story sounding like a usual gangster crime novel, it offers an experience that was unexpected yet enjoyable. Most of the factors to why it was an surprising were its colorful cast of characters and how well they represent the themes of the story.
The characters are all enjoyable and unique. Particularly, Ponyboy shines out a lot throughout the novel. People can relate to him to an extent being the outcast of the Greasers, enjoying activities the other Greasers do not such as drawing and reading. He is also close with the more timid of the group, Johnny Cade, who is small yet is courageous to stand up against Socs when they were jumped by them. Other characters such as Sodapop and Two Bit give light hearted moments to balance out the serious moments. And while some can follow the stereotypical gangster or wealthy entitled personality like Steve Randle and Bob and Randy the Socs, there are characters who act out of their personality and become more intriguing like Dally Winston and Cherry Valance.
The theme of the Outsiders is courage and family. Throughout the novel, Ponyboy and the other Greasers stress that being brave in their neighborhood is the key to survival in their neighborhood. It also stresses how family is not always related by blood but through the bonds made over time. The Greasers show while they might not have much, they have one another. While it references drugs and violence, it has good morals and values. It is a story, while on paper sounds plain, that brings the reader on an unexpected experience of friendship, life in the 60s, and bravery. Definitely a solid book and a must read.
Reviewed by Rafi B., Grade 11
Glendale Central Library
The Outsiders tells the magnificent tale of how people can be different and how to overcome the difference. I loved the book because of how The Greasers teamed up to beat others in a fight. The power that the Greasers have nearing the end of the novel proves how dedicated and hard-working they are. The Socs and The Greasers are two contemporaries that make the book what it is. The author did a fabulous job in portraying the characters and what they experience. In conclusion, I enjoyed reading The Outsiders and recommend anyone to read the novel.
Reviewed by Alfred, Grade 9
Glendale Central Library
For me the Ponyboys character change was absolutely astonishing. In the beginning he seemed like a quiet kid with no interest in being a greaser. He was conservative and didn’t like his older brother much. Even though he was a greaser he still had the mind and the innocence of a teen. Through the events of the story he has grown so much and learned so much. Witnessing death, having to flee and hiding in an old church all alone, getting in a fire, losing two of his friends. All these big events contribute to his character change. With every incident that happens, Ponyboy gets more mature, more tough, and has an early grip on the harsh realities of life. It is truly amazing how you can completely change your opinion about a character from the beginning to the end of the story. In conclusion, I think this story was a great way to learn a lesson about stereotyping and how that can affect someone's whole life.
Reviewed by Agnes, Grade 7
Glendale Central Library
This book is very interesting and I would recommend everyone to read it. Even those who don't find interest in reading can enjoy the Outsiders. Its almost like an action book where every event wants you to read more and more to uncover what happens next. The book describes the fights with such detail and it feels almost like every event of the fight is happening at the same time yet you are following its order. This book is definitely worth picking up and reading and it feels like through reading the book you develop a connection between you and ponyboy. Now, rereading this book at an older age makes you understand how well written this book really is.
Reviewed by E.N., Grade 12
Casa Verdugo Library
The Outsiders" is a timeless classic that has resonated with readers of all ages since its publication. The novel's portrayal of social class and the struggles of growing up in a divided society continues to be relevant today. The characters are complex and relatable, and their experiences of loss, love, and friendship are universal. The novel also explores themes of identity and self-discovery, making it a valuable read for young adults. The writing is engaging and easy to follow, and the plot keeps the reader invested until the end. "The Outsiders" is a must-read for anyone interested in young adult literature, and I highly recommend it. It's a poignant and powerful story that will make you think about social class, identity, and the struggles of growing up in a divided society.
Reviewed by Abraham K., Grade 9
Montrose Library
This book is such a good book, I enjoyed reading this book a lot because it shows me what the outsiders had to do to survive in the situation that they were in. It was a very fun book and I loved to read this book, it was a really interesting book and I would love to reread it again. The book is very cool and the cover looks really nice, that is also one of the reasons as to why I really enjoyed this book. I don’t usually read books very well, but I would really recommend this book to teens because it was a really good book in my opinion.
Reviewed by Suren, Grade 9
Brand Library & Art Center
This book is such a good book, I enjoyed reading this book a lot because it shows me what the outsiders had to do to survive in the situation that they were in. It was a very fun book and I loved to read this book, it was a really interesting book and I would love to reread it again. The book is very cool and the cover looks really nice, that is also one of the reasons as to why I really enjoyed this book. I don’t usually read books very well, but I would really recommend this book to teens because it was a really good book in my opinion.
Reviewed by Suren, Grade 8
Brand Library