Friday, May 23, 2014

The Outsiders

The book I read was the outsiders by s.e Hinton. This book is one of the most popular books she has written. This book is set around the late 80s or mid 90s in a town divided between east and west side (just like many towns dealing with gangs now) around summer time is when a massive “war” between two groups happens. There are a lot of points in this book that are made but one of the main ones brought up a lot is that you don’t realize what you have or what it’s worth to you until its gone.

The book the outsiders is bases around the character of Ponyboy Curtis who belongs to a group of Oklahoma teenagers who call themselves the greasers because of the way their hair is long and greasy. One day while walking home from a movie, Ponyboy is ganged up on by a group of Socs, the preppy rich boys from the West Side of town. The Socs gang up on Ponyboy and threaten to kill him. A group of greasers comes and chases the bullies away, saving Ponyboy. Ponyboy’s rescuers include his brother Sodapop, a charming, handsome high-school dropout, and Darry, Ponyboy’s oldest brother and the rest of the greasers who come to Ponyboy’s rescue are Johnny, Dally, Steve, Sodapop’s best friend.

This book tells a story of a huge social division between people almost reminding you of the division because of racism is the early 1950s. This book is an amazing story of how you can overcome the greatest obstacles and toughest times even when others say there is no chance and it really shows you how some situations will end differently than you would ever expect them to. This book can teach kids and even adult the effects that a great division and hatred for other people can cause and how it affects everyone around them.


I recommend this book for everyone because it’s a universal story that can bring anyone to tears but at the same time teach a valuable life lesson. There is no real gender restriction to this book because in some weird way it relates to everyone’s life and will keep you thinking for a while. The book has great detail and almost makes it seem like you were a part of the crazy actions scenes and tough decisions. This book may be one of my favorites simply because it can relates to so much more than anyone would think and is truly the book of its time, and modern day time.


Book Review by Olivia P.

3 comments:

  1. In the first paragraph its states that the main point brought up a lot is that you don’t realize what you have or what it’s worth to you until its gone. I agree with that because they lost friends in the story. Johnny was killed by saving those kids in a fire. The second paragraph is true also. The Soc's do try and jump Pony boy but all the Greaser's come in and save him. The connections to racism in the 1950s i do not agree with though. In the 1950s white people enslaved and killed black people. In the Outsiders they are two evenly constituted groups that both stand evenly in fights. The conclusion i agree with though. It teaches a great life lesson for all. and yes it will keep you thinking for a while.

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  2. The first paragraph says that a main point in this book is that, "you don't have or what it's worth to you until it's gone." This is true because throughout the book Ponyboy takes his friends for granted like Johnny or Dally who both die, and he grieves over them after their deaths. The second paragraph is the start of the book basically. The book does show a division of gangs by social standards, but it doesn't really remind me of racism of the early 1950's. The book is quite good and does show a good life lesson overall.

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  3. I read the outsiders in 7th grade; it is a really good book because, the story has a very good plot; I like how they all took care of themselves after their parents died. but they started a gang of their own. They were not cool with the greasers. Later on in the story they meet up and they fight. The outsiders is a really good book to read.

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