The Outsiders

* * * */ Four Stars

Genre: Action, Adventure, Intellectual, Drama, Danger, Suspense, Humor (very little, though . . .)

Ponyboy (and yes, that's the name his parents gave him) is an orphan. His brothers Darry and Sodapop are, too. All three of them are 'greasers', the name of the gang they are in and live to. There are two rules to a greaser's life; stick together, and don't get caught. Ponyboy is the youngest of the three (and of the 'gang') and therefore him and his friend Johnny get beaten up a lot by their rival gang, the Socs. They are the 'hoods' of the two and the Socs are the snobby, rich jerks that hit them where it hurts. Ponyboy's life isn't easy. He fights with his oldest brother (Darry), he gets beaten up (a lot), and he's 'smart' but doing poorly in school. If the trio get in trouble, they might be separated and put in home. When Ponyboy, Two-Bit (another friend/gang member), and Johnny meet Cherry and Maria, some Soc girls, their perspectives are turned a little. What makes the two gangs different, if they all share the same town and have the same problems? The same night, Ponyboy and Johnny get jumped by some Soc boys for hanging out with their girls. They try to drown Ponyboy, but Johnny intervenes. Now, on the run from the law and with seemingly nobody who still truly accepts them, the duo stow away. What will happen to these two 'outsiders'?
I really loved this book by S. E. Hinton. It is truly inspiring and makes you think more about the inspiring world around you and the way our society works.