Parents' Guide to

The Outsiders

By Monica Wyatt, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Story of ostracized kid a timeless fave of teens, preteens.

Book S. E. Hinton Coming of Age 1967
The Outsiders Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 13+

Based on 33 parent reviews

emilyandchris
emilyandchris Parent of 15-year-old
November 8, 2022
age 12+

Great book

This title has:

Great messages
1 person found this helpful.
SueSea
SueSea Adult
February 14, 2022
age 14+

A Good Book, but a Bit Dated

This is a good book, but if your 12/13 year old is super sensitive, the violence at some points might be too much. My 13-year-old son found certain scenes quite upsetting and asked why kids were smoking. He couldn't relate to the class struggles in the book, but it did open up conversations about class, life at that time, etc.
1 person found this helpful.
See all 33 parent reviews

What's the Story?

THE OUTSIDERS has been one of the most popular book among teens and preteens since it came out in 1967. Ponyboy and his Greaser gang fight rival gang the Socs (short for "Socials," the wealthier, more preppie kids) and try to make a place for themselves in the world. The juvenile delinquent characters are fully and humanely developed in this realistic look at life, death, and growing up, told from a teen's point of view. The book was based on the author's high school experience in Tulsa, OK, in 1965, but the time and setting are not specified in the text.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (33):
Kids say (281):

In the battle to get teens to read, The Outsiders is a nuclear missile. Any literary missteps -- like some too-easy plot resolutions -- are overcome by the power of author S.E. Hinton's honest teen point of view (she wrote it at age 16), which rings so true to young readers.

Many teens say this is the first book they ever enjoyed reading, even though it's often required in school. Hinton's 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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why this book resonates with preteens and teens. Why has it remained so popular for more than 40 years?

  • What do you think happens to Ponyboy after the end of the novel?

  • If you've seen Francis Ford Coppola's 1983 movie based on the book, which do you like better, and why?

  • Why do you think The Outsiders is often required reading in school?

Book Details

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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