Book Review: The Outsiders

 Book Review: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

1. Hinton, S. E. (1967). The Outsiders. Viking Children’s Books. ISBN 014240733X

‌2. Plot Summary

This Young Adult novel embodies the emotions, experiences, uncertainties and doubts of youth characters. You follow the character Ponyboy while he navigates life as a kid on the wrong side of the tracks. He has close, loyal friendships but encounters a group that is intent on his downfall. This drama builds and builds making it a book you cannot put down.

3. Critical Analysis

This book showcases the experiences of young people, often in intense life situations, which is a realtable motif to all. The author features societal archetypes through the characters’ experiences. The emotion that is expressed from S.E. Hinton through the characters is, palpable. This is an amazing work of Young Adult Literature, but really is a book that all should read.  

4. Awards

A New York Herald Tribune Best Teenage Book
A Chicago Tribune Book World Spring Book Festival Honor Book
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
Winner of the Massachusetts Children's Book Award

"The Outsiders transformed young-adult fiction from a genre mostly about prom queens, football players and high school crushes to one that portrayed a darker, truer world." —The New York Times

"Taut with tension, filled with drama." —The Chicago Tribune

"[A] classic coming-of-age book." —Philadelphia Daily News

5. Connections

This book is a great example of archetypes and character development. It would be a great example to teach students how to develop characters and story lines in this way.

Book Review by Barbara Jean Thompson