Parents' Guide to

That Was Then, This Is Now

By Monica Wyatt, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Teenagers love the gritty realism of this novel.

Book S. E. Hinton Coming of Age 1971
That Was Then, This Is Now Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 11+

Based on 4 parent reviews

elenaasuarezz
elenaasuarezz Adult
June 25, 2019
age 18+

HORRIBLE

I can't stand Kathy. I can't stand Brian. Disgusting how anybody could ever turn on their family for somebody they just met. Grossed out. In disbelief. I could literally puke. Kathy is whiny and annoying. Brian is the definition of a snake. Mark was just misunderstood and needed some guidance. Don't even bother reading this. Atrocious.
JoezBagelz
JoezBagelz Adult
July 31, 2018
age 2+
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Best friends become enemies when one accepts violence and crime and the other turns against that life. Bryon and Mark grow up together on the wrong side of the tracks, get into fights, and hustle pool. But Bryon changes, while Mark doesn't. Teenagers love the gritty realism of this novel and the story of a boy's inner turmoil.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4 ):
Kids say (19 ):

Young readers who enjoyed The Outsiders often want to read this one, which contains realistic portrayals of the same tough, wrong-side-of-the-track kids. But while The Outsiders simply exploits pathos, THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW explores more complex ideas only touched on in the earlier book. It's a superior effort, one that even extremely reluctant readers understand and enjoy.

Much like The Outsider, this book examines friendship and loyalty. But in this case, the main character, Bryon, turns in his best friend, Mark, to the police. It's a major transformation for Bryon, who states throughout the book that he hates cops. Unlike Mark, Bryon tires of the constant violence of his neighborhood. He's stunned when he hears the story of a hospitalized boy who refuses to hate his attackers, even though he had tried to help their friend. Bryon begins thinking about the futility of revenge and the cycle of violence it causes.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the realities of being a teenager in the 1950s (the time period in which this book is set) and how it compares with the struggles of being a teen today.

  • Why does Byron hate the police? What prompts him to grow weary of all the violence that surrounds him on a daily basis? Do you agree with Byron's decision to turn Mark into the cops?

  • Have you ever felt similarly conflicted by your desire to stay loyal to a friend but, at the same time, to do the right thing?

Book Details

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