BOOK NAME: The Outsiders
AUTHOR: S.E. Hinton

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton is like a stew cooked with ingredients like violence, crime, horror, friendship, bravery, and kindness.

Ponyboy Curtis is a smart and defensive fourteen year old boy who lives in Oklahoma with his two older brothers. He is part of the gang known as the greasers who are poor and are characterized by the grease in their hair. They constantly fight with another group, the Socs, who are rich kids who have a cold, hard, and mean personality. One day things go too far between the two groups and Ponyboy and his friend Johnny kill a Soc in self-defense. They run away to the countryside and hide in a church. Later, the church catches fire, and Johnny and Ponyboy risk their lives to save the children inside. They are hurt badly but are recognized as heroes. But, what dramatic events await them?

The engaging plot of this book, revolving around distinctive personalities, the ordinaries of friendship, and the outsiders in a group, suits the taste buds of all teenagers. Teenagers can relate very well to the characters and incidents in this book because the author, S. E. Hinton, was a teenager herself when she wrote this book. Also, this book has vivid descriptions which come out strongly with the use of similes. I like how the book teaches that groups are not barriers to friendships. So, if you are a teenager, pick out The Outsiders from the library shelf.