The Outsiders in ENGL 3390: Great Works for Middle Grades Spring 2013

Feb 22, 2013 Trina rated it really liked it

I read this book as a young adult and for years I have said it was one of my all-time favorites. However, reading it again as an adult (and a parent), I came across several sections that caused me some concern. It is very interesting to me how my view has changed since I last read this book.

The story is told from the point of view of a young man who lives in a rough part of town. He and his group of friends live a gang-type lifestyle. An incident occurs where one of the members of a rival gang i ...more

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Feb 26, 2013 Kenyatta rated it really liked it

The Outsiders is a young adult novel based on the author's life. It starts with the main character leaving the movies and getting jumped by the socks, the rich west-side kids. This sets the tone of the story. Ponyboy lives with his two brothers and the rest of the gang might as well live their too. As the story progresses the socs become a real problem. Johnny, the pet of the group decides he has had enough and takes matter into his own hands. By the end of the story you are left crying and wond ...more

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Mar 20, 2013 D. Hope rated it really liked it

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
5 Stars *****

This story is a narrative by Ponyboy based on details of his daily struggles in life that he is writing about for a school assignment to receive a passing grade in class. The text is a quick read that might encourage students who are not avid readers. The strongest problems presented are gangs and killing, yet I truly believe that this book is a great read for Middle Grades students.
The main reason that middle grades students will relate to this book is ...more

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Feb 26, 2013 Chelsea Wood rated it it was amazing

The Outsiders details the journey of a “lower class” group of boys known as “Greasers”. The story is told through the eyes of Ponyboy Curtis. Under the supervision of his two older brothers, SodaPop and Darrel, Ponyboy begins to understand the purpose of his situation. Guilty by association, Ponyboy witnesses a crime committed by a fellow Greaser who he most relates to. While on the run, they encounter a situation testing character, not the title of “hood” or “juvenile”. Their heroic mission le ...more

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Feb 25, 2013 Sara rated it it was amazing

S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders is a story of a ragtag bunch of young boys whose “gang” is the closest thing to family any of them has. They are known as “greasers” because they grease their hair, wear baggy clothes, and they don’t have much money. The opposing gang, the Socs, are a bunch of rich boys from the west side who are always looking for trouble. When a group of Socs jumps two greasers, Ponyboy and Johnny, the greasers’ lives change forever. We go on a journey with the boys as they experie ...more

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Feb 20, 2013 Leighann rated it really liked it

The Outsiders by S.E Hinton ****
The Outsiders is a book written through the life of Ponyboy, a brother, a friend and a gang member. However, unlike the other boys in his outfit, The Greasers, Ponyboy is very intelligent and shows much potential. The Greasers are a group of boys that Pony grew up around; they are his family. The Greasers, much like any gang, have rivals known as the Socs. Throughout the book the boys grow closer as rivalry and adventure are thrust upon them.

I found the book very ...more

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May 29, 2013 Donna Briggs rated it really liked it

Shelves: middle-grades-great-works

The Outsiders is the story of Ponyboy and his brothers and friends, known locally as the “greasers.” These “greasers” are continually bullied or beaten by the town’s privileged teens, known as the Socs, short for social-club. The teens in the story are misunderstood by adults, and Ponyboy comes to learn that teens may not take the time to understand one another, either. Through several tragic events in a short period of time, Ponyboy goes from being a clueless, fourteen year old boy, to a young ...more

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Feb 12, 2013 Cecille rated it it was amazing

"The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton is a novel written from the perspective of a fourteen year old named Ponyboy. After the loss of his parents, he is left to be raised by his two older brothers, Darry and Sodapop. Together, they rely on the other "greasers" from their neighborhood for familiar support and friendship. Strapped for cash and socially outcasted for being delinquents are daily occurrences for Ponyboy and his friends. Throughout the novel, we see the gang rivarly between the "greasers" an "The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton is a novel written from the perspective of a fourteen year old named Ponyboy. After the loss of his parents, he is left to be raised by his two older brothers, Darry and Sodapop. Together, they rely on the other "greasers" from their neighborhood for familiar support and friendship. Strapped for cash and socially outcasted for being delinquents are daily occurrences for Ponyboy and his friends. Throughout the novel, we see the gang rivarly between the "greasers" and the "socs." This rivalry eventually leads to Ponyboy making difficult decisions, discovering his own identity, and learning about what it means to be a good person. The story highlights this concept that first impression and reputation cannot be the entire measure for what a person's worth, when in fact "it's rough all over."
I absolutely loved this book and felt that it would be appropriate for middle school students. The concept of accepting people first as people, before moving ahead to judging them based on their hairstyle or who they hang out with is such a relevant topic to middle grades. While previous posts have issued concern over the glorification of gang violence, I think it is a great teaching moment for the classroom on what exactly is their definition of a gang. I interpreted the "greasers" as more of a family unit or pack because they depended on each other for survival; is there such a difference between as a good gang or a bad gang? Meanwhile the "socs" were just out to beat people up based on their appearance, cruise around and start trouble with "greasers." If the lesson was structured correctly, this book could be a great teaching tool considering the reading level was not as sophisticated and stuffy as previous reads, for example To Kill a Mockingbird. Also, the author's relaxed style of writing opens doors with students for modeling many attainable writing assignments. S.E. Hinton' choice of descriptors and concise action make it easy for students to mirror her writing techniques in their own work. Overall, this book gets 5 stars from me due to its universal lessons, well-crafted characters and the many teaching opportunities it provides a middle grades classroom.
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