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Book Summary

Reviewed by Monica Wyatt

This is one of the most popular book among teenagers for the last thirty years. Ponyboy and his greaser friends fight the Socs, a rival gang, and try to make a place for themselves in the world. Juvenile delinquents are fully and humanely developed in this realistic look at life, death, and growing up, all from the teenager's point of view.

Is It Any Good?

3

Many teens say this is the first book they ever enjoyed reading, even though it's often required. S. E. Hinton wrote it when she was only 16, and her insight into teen angst may explain why adolescents identify with Ponyboy so strongly. Readers find plenty of action and an idyllic view of friendship, a major concern for teens. Teenagers love this book; it teaches them that they can enjoy reading, as Ponyboy already knows.

However, the story doesn't rise much beyond pulp fiction, possibly another reason young readers enjoy it. Hinton gets her characters out of certain murder convictions only by suddenly turning them into heroes. Johnny sacrifices himself to atone for his sin and Ponyboy broods about everything, emerging ready for life. But don't dismiss this book because of its lack of literary pretensions -- in the battle to get teenagers to read, it's a nuclear missile.

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