The Outsiders S E Hinton They grew up

The Outsiders S. E. Hinton

“They grew up on the outside of society. They weren't looking for a fight. They were looking to belong. ” • “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 idea of a good time is beating up “Greasers” like Ponyboy. At least he knows what to expectuntil the night someone takes things too far. ”

First Novel • Hinton wrote The Outsiders when she was only 16 years old after a friend was attacked by a rival gang. She felt young adult literature did not portray an accurate picture of teenage life and wanted to provide a dose of reality.

The Reality • The characters Hinton created were a mixture of Greasers and Socs she knew and herself. While she was not a member of either group, she was able to represent both sides realistically.

The Response • Teenagers responded immediately and enthusiastically to The Outsiders. • Many adults said the book was too violent and that a teenager could not have written it.

Why S. E. Hinton? • Hinton did not think boys would want to read a book about gang life if they knew it was written by a girl, so she used her initials instead of her name.

A Continuing Tradition • The Outsiders has been a popular part of teenage literature for almost 50 years. • Many of your parents may have read the novel when they were your age.