The Outsiders
by S.E. Hinton

Penguin Group, 1967, 180 pp., $6.99
ISBN 0-14-038572

Ponyboy walks out of the movie theater with two things on his mind: Paul Newman and a ride home. On the way home a mysterious blue Mustang pulls up. Some slick looking kids come out of the car and surround Ponyboy. Suddenly one speaks up and asks, “Need a haircut greaser,” while the others slowly circle around smiling. One takes out a blade and opens it. They slowly get closer and closer and closer until… This is just the start of S.E. Hinton’s writing ability.

Nobody likes the Greasers even though they should get a little more credit. The story starts with Ponyboy, a nice 14-year-old Greaser, and his two brothers, Darry and Sodapop. Pony doesn’t get much respect from Darry even though he works hard. No one will believe the Greasers when they say they don’t do all the things they do because the goody, goody Socs never get blamed for all their crimes and that’s where you can see where their arguments start. The Socs and Greasers are two gangs that have a major rivalry together. It starts with small little gang jumping’s to a life-changing event when Johnny and Ponyboy run away. They are forced to live on their own with just some money and a loaded heater (gun). They meet some Socs at the movie drive-by and soon become friends after Johnny stands up to a surprising victim. They introduce themselves by the names of Cherry Valance and Marcia. Their epic journey soon spreads through to the land of the mishap between Johnny and one of the Socs. While the Socs look for a fight. All leading to the very exciting ending. What happened between Johnny and the Socs? Where do Johnny and Ponyboy go? You only can find by reading.

I think this book is Great. I love how S.E Hinton started everything like it would be a normal day. But then it’s one cliffhanger after another. It’s funny, vividly explained and it paints a picture in your head. This book can sometimes be a little weird, cheesy or hard to understand with all it’s actions coming together. But S.E Hinton ties it together and I think without the confusing parts the story wouldn’t work together. I think Hinton did a good job at not giving away too much at one time. Otherwise this book probably would have gotten boring after the 3rd chapter.

There are very many themes in this story. It is about passion and how it is important to stick together just like Johnny and Ponyboy.  If they didn’t stick together something could go wrong.  Also it is about bravery because if Johnny didn’t make one brave move Ponyboy might no longer exist. But the main theme of the story is that friends stick together to the end. Ponyboy and Johnny might not have seen each other again. The match-up between the Socs and Greasers might not have been as even. If they didn’t stick together Ponyboy might not exist and Johnny might be in jail. Darry could be anywhere. But they stick together to the end and show the strength of loyalty.

It is very easy to understand what the characters’ personalities are and what their purpose in life is. No character is the same. From calloused Dally to charming Cherry Valance, Hinton makes sure that the personalities are mixed. She never also never gives away too much of a character’s personality at once. Hinton makes you think you know a character but then she changes it on you. Just like you think Johnny could be the small one of the gang but all that can change in a heartbeat.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes exciting stories where nothing is given away too fast.  Or if you are the type who likes to be adventurous and likes figuring out the plot.

~ reviewed by Ross