By S.E. Hinton
I’d never read The Outsiders. Somehow, I got through middle and high school without it. But I’d seen the movie, although it had been 40 years ago at least.
It was amazing how much stuck with me from the movie to the book. The double date at the movies, fighting with the socs, the murder, the church, the fire, and the rescue of the little kids. I remember the actors’ faces on the big screen, and now I can hear their voices in print. It made the experience so much more powerful.
The Outsiders is an American classic and for good reason. It’s the story of social divides, haves and have nots, class warfare, and everything the people in small midwestern cities were dealing with 50 years ago. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like much has changed since.
Perfect for middle school students on up, The Outsiders is a tremendous lesson about love and grit and determination and doing the right thing, no matter your background or what the cost. I highly recommend it.
Five stars