March Read/Sherri

Title: The Outsiders

Author: Hinton, S.E.

Sherri’s Read:

            S.E. Hinton writes about a 1950’s gang of youngmen that were called “Greasers.” Their rivals were called the “Socs.” The “Greasers” wore blue jeans & T-shirts and greased their hair. The “Socs” were the wealthy spoiled gang. The main story is told by Ponyboy about his group of “Greasers” that was like family to him and his brothers since their parents were killed in a car wreck. Pony’s older brother Darry is left in charge but middle brother Sodapop is more nurturing to Pony.

            Pony & his best friend, Johnny, had to run away because Johnny killed a “Soc” that was trying to drown Ponyboy. The “Soc” that got killed was hurting Pony because they helped two of the “Socs” girlfriends home after the boyfriends left the girls stranded. Pony & Johnny got a friend Dallas to help them to escape. Dallas told them to hide out at an abandoned church. Dallas came to check on them and found the church was on fire and some school kids on a field trip were caught in the fire. Pony & Johnny went into the church to save the kids. The kids were saved but Johnny was killed.

The story has been read by many teenagers over the years as many identify with the book interactions amongst the teenagers and how they perceive the world.