The Outsiders (novel) facts for kids
| Author | S. E. Hinton |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Robert Hunt |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Young adult fiction |
| Publisher | Viking Press, Dell Publishing |
|
Publication date
|
April 24, 1967 |
| Media type | Print (hardcover, paperback), Audiobook |
| Pages | 192 |
| ISBN | 978-0-670-53257-5 |
| OCLC | 64396432 |
The Outsiders is a famous novel written by S. E. Hinton. It was first published in 1967. S. E. Hinton was only 15 years old when she started writing this book. She was 17 when it was published.
The story is about a 14-year-old boy named Ponyboy Michael Curtis. The book explores important ideas like friendship and coming of age. It shows the lives of two rival groups. These groups are the Greasers and the Socs. The author says "Socs" is short for "Socials" and is pronounced "soashes." These groups are separated by their social status and wealth.
The book's story takes place in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This city is never directly named in the book. The Outsiders was made into a movie in 1983. It also became a television series in 1990.
Contents
What Happens in The Outsiders?
The story begins when Ponyboy leaves a movie theater. Some Socs attack him. His older brother, Darry, quickly comes to save him. Ponyboy then explains the differences between the Socs and the Greasers.
Who Are the Greasers and Socs?
The Socs are the rich kids from the West Side of town. They have nice cars and fancy clothes. The Greasers are from the East Side. They are from a lower social class. They often wear their hair long and greased back. These two groups do not get along. They often have conflicts.
A Dangerous Night for Ponyboy
Later in the story, some Socs try to hurt Ponyboy and his friend, Johnny. Johnny acts to protect Ponyboy. During this event, a Soc is seriously injured. Ponyboy and Johnny decide to hide in an old church.
A Fire and a Heroic Act
While they are hiding, the church catches fire. Ponyboy, Johnny, and another friend, Dally, bravely save some children trapped inside. This act of heroism has sad consequences. Johnny is badly hurt and breaks his back. He dies about a week later in the hospital.
The Sad End for Dally
Dally is very sad about Johnny's death. He makes a bad choice and gets into trouble with the police. He waves an empty gun at them. The police respond, and Dally's life ends tragically.
