Title: The Outsiders
Author: S. E. Hinton
Publisher: Speak (November 1, 1997)
Page Count: 192
ISBN #: 014038572X
Publication Date: 1967
Description:
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 ideas 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.
Thoughts on the book:
Ponyboy reflects on how hard life is for him and his friends, at home their broken or abusive families are barely keeping it together, at school it’s tough to focus and keep up, on the street it’s hard to stay out of trouble, it seems like they never quite get a break. And for those people whose lives are a little better it’s easy to point fingers and say, they need to get it together, no excuses, but is it so easy to change something when you can’t recognize the origin of the problem? Ponyboy’s best friend Johnny was the quiet one who liked to read and stay out of trouble, yet he’s the one swept into trouble when assaulted by an opposing gang. The Outsiders is an important example of the added pressures and struggles that at-risk kids face when coming-of-age.
A question that came to mind while reading The Outsiders:
Is the capability of limiting the alienation of a child or groups of children within reach of the public school system, what are some actions that could be taken?
Favorite quote:
“‘It ain’t fair!’ I cried passionately. ‘It ain’t fair that we have all the rough breaks!'”
–S.E. Hinton The Outsiders
