In my class, I was asked to read the famous coming-of-age-novel by S.E Hinton; The Outsiders. I really enjoyed reading the book and was thrilled when my teacher gave my class the opportunity to watch the movie! This book is from the perspective of ‘Ponyboy’, yes that’s his real name, who is a 14 year old boy part of a gang, namely…the greasers. This book is about the two gang rivals: Greasers vs. Socs. It shows the greaser’s struggles in life.

The greasers are:

  • Ponyboy: the youngest Curtis brothers (14), gets good grades and runs track, and is the dreamer.
  • Sodapop: the middle Curtis brother, 16 years old, a charming, handsome, high school dropout who works at a gas station
  • Darrel ‘Darry’: The oldest of the Curtis brothers, 20 years old who has been caring for his brother’s since when his parents died in a car crash
  • Dallas ‘Dally’: The roughest of the Greasers who lived on the streets of New York City for three years
  • Keith “Two-Bit” Mathews: A wise-cracking, fun-loving guy. The joker of the gang
  • Steve Randle: Sodapop’s best friend since grade school
  • Johnny Cade: Ponyboy’s best friend. He’s 16 years old and lives with his alcoholic and abusive mother and father. The pet of the gang.

The book starts by Ponyboy walking back from the movie theater. On the way back home, he gets jumped by a couple of Socs. Before they kill him, the greasers come to rescue Ponyboy. This shows how much the greasers care and are there for each other. This book is too interesting to not spoil so I won’t say everything that happens.

My favourite greaser is Dally. I have grown a fond liking to his rough side. He really hates life, but he is very interesting. He is said to love no one but Johnny because he’s the pet of the gang kicked around by his parents too many times, but in the book, when Ponyboy and Johnny need Dally’s help, he takes his jacket off his own back for Ponyboy. That’s caring!

A little about the author: S.E Hinton…is a girl. I know some of you may be shocked, but it’s true. You see, her name is Sharon, but she didn’t want to put her full name on the front cover due to one reason: What would her reader’s think if a woman wrote a book about gangs? Her and her publisher thought that they wouldn’t take her seriously and so her writer’s name is S.E Hinton. Also, S.E Hinton started writing this novel when she was 15 and continued throughout her high school years.

I really enjoyed this assignment and the book. I definitely recommend reading this book. I would have to say though that it’s for ages 10 and up due to some graphic violent details. The movie however would be for ages 8 and up as it’s less graphic. I would rate this book a 4 and a half stars and it will keep your emotions wide awake! It’s a…MUST READ!!

Venus Wambura.