BOOK REPORT for The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton
BFF Charm: Yay! Yay! Yay!
Swoonworthy Scale: 6
Talky Talk: Coolio, pops
Bonus Factor: THE OUTSIDERS!
Relationship Status: First Love
The Deal:
Who doesn’t know this story, you guys? Right? Or was I the only girl whose 12-year old life was changed by this book? See, before discovering The Outsiders, I had read every single book in the Black Stallion, The Hardy Boys, Sherlock Holmes and The Scarlet Pimpernel series’, as well as The Call of the Wild and Ladd, a Dog… you get the picture. Then I got my hands on this book. From the opening lines…
“When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home …”
I fell in love with sensitive, sweet Pony Boy Curtis and his band of Greasers. (This story is about Greasers- kids from the wrong side of the tracks- and Socs- or ‘socialites’, the wealthy kids, back when there was a middle class, y’all.) So I joined Pony Boy in running from the Socs, pleaded with Darry- Pony Boy’s eldest brother who had been taking care of Pony Boy, and the adorable and affable middle brother Soda Pop since their parents died in a car crash- not to be mad at Pony for getting cornered by the Socs. I met Cherry and Marcia at the drive-in- two Soc girls who maybe weren’t so bad- and was embarrassed by Dally, the hoodlumest of us all, when he harassed them. I laughed with Two Bit and Steve, and cried with Johnny. Oh Johnny Cakes, I wanted to protect you from your alcoholic father and the Soc with the ring that gave you that scar- I felt really bad about this, but secretly thought the scar was cool. I wanted to be there to help keep things from getting out of hand. And I really, really wanted to go on the run with you guys.
BFF Charm: Yay! Yay! Yay!
I wanted to be BFFs with all of the boys, although also, depending on the day, either had a crush on Pony Boy, Soda Pop or Johnny. But never Dally. I didn’t give him my charm, either, because, hard knocks or not, that boy was trouble. I even wanted to be BFF’s with Darry. He was only a few years older than Pony and Soda, and he just didn’t want the state to take them away from him, that’s why he was so hard on them. And I really liked Cherry, too. I could picture myself being her liaison as she spied for the Greasers. Or being her friend if I had been a Soc. And maybe we could have been the first Soc girls with Greaser boyfriends.
Swoonworthy Scale: 6
So apart from Pony’s quiet feelings for Cherry, this story is more of a bromance, but the BOYS! If you read this book and didn’t crush on at least one of them….
Talky Talk: Coolio, pops
So S. E. Hinton wrote this when she was fifteen, so I think it’s fair to say she accurately portrayed the voice of the youth. I loved this book so much, I reread it countless times, and then went on to read all of her other books, and then began to branch out beyond mystery and animal stories, so thanks, Ms. Hinton. It was only a few years ago that I found out that schools give this book to the ‘troubled’ kids, so the smart ones don’t necessarily read it. Too bad for them, and I never thought I’d say this, but yay for homeschooling, because I spent one day a week at the library, perusing the shelves, and happened upon this little gem by accident. Rereading it now, I can say that I was just as swept up in the story, and my memories of it, as ever.
Bonus Factor: THE OUTSIDERS!
Here’s an example of a movie version of a book that is almost as good as the book. And this movie came out before any of these guys were anybody! It was like the movie that predicted ALL of the hot actors of the 80′s! Look at Patrick Swayze! Emilio! Tommy Howell! Tom Cruise, before he went all crazy! I loved this movie nearly as much as I loved the book, and watched it over and over- at my friend’s house, because no way would my mom allow it! Who could have predicted Matt Dillon’s comedic timing? Rob Lowe’s future troubles? And Ralph Macchio! (The one crush I’m embarrassed to admit. Sorry Ralph.)
Relationship Status: First Love
This book was my first. I had read children’s books, even regular adult Lit, but this book was YA. We really, truly fell in love with each other, and it opened so many reading doors for me. It was the book that inspired me to start writing myself. Of course as I got older I outgrew it, like you do, but I will always, ALWAYS hold it sacred.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
ya, this really is the best book ever. I read it with my little homeschooling friend who is an uber religious Jew and HE loved it too. The movie is amazing and I totally just bought a weird poster of “nothing gold can stay” on etsy.
No, Jenny, you were not the only 12-yr-old whose life was changed by this book. I LOVE THE OUTSIDERS. But OMG, I am so embarrassed and amazed to admit—I NEVER KNEW S.E. HINTON WAS A WOMAN! That is amaaaaaaazing!!!! And so super duper bad-ass!!!! I’m re-reading this book immediately, because sister solidarity!
thank you, jenny, for adding this YA CLASSIC MASTERPIECE to the FYA collection. i remember reading this in junior high and loving all of the cool slang and tough guys and, most importantly, the AWESOME NICKNAMES. GAH i wanted a goofy-yet-strangely-badass nickname SO BADLY. it still hasn’t happened, so if anyone wants to step up and give me one, that would be grand.
ha ha, i never realized what a bromance this book is! double true, jenny. nice use of current slang (s.e. hinton would approve).
So, I’ve never read this book. I probably should. Never seen the movie, either. But don’t be embarrassed about your Ralph Macchio crush. I had one too. You could do a lot worse than Ralph Macchio!
OH GAWD I just went three months without getting choked up about Johnny and NOW LOOK WHAT YOU DID *blows nose*
I saw the movie before I read the book and both hold such a special place in my heart. Like you I wanted to be friends with each of them and be apart of their world no matter if it seemed rough. I think a lot of it had to do with the loyality a.k.a. bromance between the Greasers.
OT does anybody else have a shelfari account? i would love to be friends with you all on there
porcelinajune, i’m not on shelfari but i am on goodreads! what, is goodreads like myspace now and shelfari’s like facebook? dang it I TRY TO KEEP UP WITH YOU KIDS.
I am in middle school and recently read this book, IT…IS…SO…AWESOME! I loooove all the greasers and actually, Dally is my favorite! I watched the movie for the first time a few weeks ago too and I loved it almost as much as I loved the book. This book got me to read To Kill A Mockingbird and S.E. Hinton’s other book Rumble Fish. I tottaly think everyone who has read the Outsiders would love Rumble Fish!
Okay, glad I’m not the only one, Brenda! Kyra H, you are so right! Rumble Fish is also excellent! I also recommend Hinton’s other books as well!
Danielle, I’m sorry. Sweet, sweet Johnnycakes.
Talya, I’m so glad you’re spreading the outsiders’ love!
Meredith, I wouldn’t have known S. E. Hinton was a woman either, if it hadn’t been for this awesome librarian lady who told me. Thank you librarian lady!
I’m sorry, I have never even heard of shelfari until now. I’ll try to remedy that…
poshdeluxe, i think most people probably still use goodreads and librarything more. i just happened upon that one first and am too lazy to make an account elsewhere now.
it is true though it is impossible to keep up with this or that social network phenomenon.
i love this book! embarrassingly, i just read it about 1.5 yrs ago. when i did, i spent three weeks going around saying to everyone i met, “i can’t be-LIEVE i’d never read the outsiders before!” it is AWESOME. and now i have to see the movie (because, again in the spirit of embarrassing true confessions, i’ve never seen it. what?!?).
oh, and i just have a goodreads, too. i guess i’m an old lady? i have a librarything i never use, and i’ve heard all about shelfari but i’m tooooo lazy to invest the time to create a new account, since i’ve actually kept up with goodreads.
I’m a 7th grade English teacher and my students read this book. I have taught it now for 14 years and I STILL love it! It seems to just get better and better. It is the one book even my reluctant readers love!
As for the movie, I was so happy when they rereleased it with the deleted scenes put back in. A much better movie. Side note: I loved the actor that play Ponyboy – C. Thomas Howell – I had posters of him all over my bedroom. My students laugh when I tell them this.
jill, you’re a 7th grade english teacher? you just earned yrself a drink on me shall we ever meet cos RESPECT!
No kidding, Jill! You have my mad respect!
Don’t worry, Mere, I never knew S.E. Hinton was a woman either!! I just assumed Hinton was a man! All my life! Damn!
Yay, The Outsiders!! SUCH good required reading! I remember being a little kid, getting my hands on this book, and having MY MIND BLOWN. I can’t wait for my kid to get old enough for The Outsiders.