My latest read was another from my 7th grade reading list – The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton. I understand that this is a classic and an international best seller and, while many read it in school or along the way, it was my first time picking it up. In short, I loved the book. I attended urban, diverse middle and high schools and, in addition to just the struggles of being a teen, the book brought back a lot of memories. The story is relatable, and is told in a raw and compelling manner. It is easy to see people I grew up with in each of the characters, and I adored Ponyboy and his brothers.
John has also finished the book and said it was the one one he has really enjoyed since elementary school. So, that’s something!
The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton
No one ever said life was easy. But Ponyboy is pretty sure that he’s got things figured out. He knows that he can count on his brothers, Darry and Sodapop. And he knows that he can count on his friends—true friends who would do anything for him, like Johnny and Two-Bit. 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 on “greasers” like Ponyboy. At least he knows what to expect—until the night someone takes things too far.
One last thought… I devoured the forward and discussion prompts at the beginning and ends of my copy. Two things I couldn’t believe about author… 1. That S. E. Hinton is a female! I read the entire book thinking it was written by a man. It certainly doesn’t matter, but it was curious to me. 2. That she wrote this book at age 16. Wow! And, it has endured the test of time, still a best seller 50 years later.
I do still want to watch the movie. I love Patrick Swayze as much as I did the first time I watched Dirty Dancing at a friend’s house without my parent’s permission. LOL.
In other book news, I am currently reading Into the Water by Paula Hawkins. I picked it up in the airport last week and it’s GOOD! What’s on your bedside?
The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton | On My Bedside Series
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My daughter read this last year, and my son is reading it this year. They both enjoyed it. I remember reading it many times as a young teen. Also check out Rumble Fish, it is good, but in a very different way.
The movie is very good as well. I saw the actor who played Pony Boy( C Thomas Howell) on tv recently and he has grown old. Why was I surprised? It is a great book and a great movie and like you I was surprised to find out S E Hinton was a woman. It reads more like a book written by a maile writer.
You’ve never seen the movie, either? Such big 80s names. I’ve read the book and loved the movies, and my boys love it now! xo
I haven’t read the book in a long long long time, but I watch the movie every couple of years and recently watched it with my 15 year old nephew. Fantastic movie and it’s worth the eye candy alone ;-)
Thanks for the reminder – I’ll add it to my Spring Break stack! It’s kind of embarrassing to admit that I haven’t yet read The Outsiders. My own kids read it in school, and somehow as a teacher turned librarian, (in Tulsa, no less!!) I never picked it up. The house that was used in the filming of the movie has recently been turned into a museum – I need to visit there as well.
I have yet to read this one, I’ve seen the movie a bunch of times, though! I’ll have to add it to my pile (which is getting pretty big, so be prepared for some books to come your way if you are interested!!)
(and I watched Dirty Dancing, too, at a friends house without my parents’ permission, ha!!!)
I’m a bit older than you and grew up in Tulsa. We of course read the book in school and the movie was filmed very close to my neighborhood. Kids from my school were even extras in the movie! Will always be one of my favorites.
I am just starting Elin Hilderbrand’s The Perfect Couple. It was recommended by my friend Ann, who reads voraciously. She said I would like it because it has some mystery/suspense in it. She knows how I love mysteries! Love, Marme
My 7th grader is going to be reading that soon in ELA class. I hope he likes it as much as I did. I was slightly obsessed and watched the movie about 13 times and read the book about 7 times!
I read the Paula Hawkins book awhile ago and found it painted a bleak picture. Just finished (raced through) The Last Mrs. Parrish which I would recommend. Going to start Liane Moriarty’s Nine Perfect Strangers while we get some late winter snowfall tonight. Also on the nightstand, The Other Woman by Sandie Jones. So glad to hear that young teens are still enjoying The Outsiders.
The Fiery Cross (Outlander #5)!
Love the series!
Absolutely loved this book in 8th grade 50 years ago. So glad that it’s still being read today. Amazing that she was female and so young when she wrote it. I made sure my kids read it, thanks for reminding me about so I can make sure the grandkids read it, I may reread it too.