The Outsiders S.E. Hinton

“They grew up on the outside of society “They grew up on the outside of society. They weren't looking for a fight. They were looking to belong.” “Ponyboy can count on his brothers. And on his friends. 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 “Greasers” like Ponyboy. At least he knows what to expect-until the night someone takes things too far.”

First Novel Hinton wrote The Outsiders when she was only 16 years old after a friend was attacked by a rival gang. She felt young adult literature did not portray an accurate picture of teenage life and wanted to provide a dose of reality.

The Reality The characters Hinton created were a mixture of Greasers and Socs she knew and herself. While she was not a member of either group, she was able to represent both sides realistically.

The Response Teenagers responded immediately and enthusiastically to The Outsiders. Many adults said the book was too violent and that a teenager could not have written it.

Why S.E. Hinton? Hinton did not think boys would want to read a book about gang life if they knew it was written by a girl, so she used her initials instead of her name.

A Continuing Tradition The Outsiders has been a popular part of teenage literature for almost 50 years. Many of your parents may have read the novel when they were your age.