Written in 1965, The Outsiders is an award-winning novel authored by S.E. Hinton. Since its release, the novel has been a classic, exploring deep themes that can be difficult to discuss in a digestible manner. The Outsiders has a wide fan base, much of which consists of teenagers who discovered the novel in their classrooms.
Due to its interesting yet relatable themes and its profound ability to enrapture young readers in the story, many teachers across the world have made The Outsiders a vital part of their curriculum. One such teacher is Ms. Miglino, a middle school English and global perspectives teacher at Coral Springs Charter School.
Ms. Miglino has been a fan of the book since she was in middle school. She discovered the story through the release of The Outsiders movie, and after reading the book, she was hooked—now going on to share the story with a new generation of students each year.
The Outsiders takes place in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1965. In this town, people are divided into two groups: the Socs, the wealthy from the west side, and the Greasers, the underprivileged from the east. These two groups are constantly at odds, with groups of Socs jumping Greasers and gangs of Greasers picking fights with Socs.
The novel follows the story of 14-year-old Greaser Ponyboy Curtis as he and his friends struggle against violence, family issues and societal expectations. One night, after Ponyboy and his best friend Johnny Cade are involved in a fight that turns deadly, the two are forced to go on the run, leading to events that will change these characters’ lives forever.
The story delves into themes such as the importance of staying true to yourself, the thin line between heroes and villains, and finding hope even in the darkest of times.“It teaches them about friendship. It teaches them about respect. It teaches them how to handle death,” said Vicki Miglino.
The book has a unique way of showing readers that they can handle whatever is thrown their way. However, even though this is an incredibly common theme, this book manages to convey it in a non-cliché way. One of the ways it conveys these themes is through the story’s unique characters. These characters have such depth that is seen in very few pieces of literature. The author brings these characters to life, giving each one real thoughts and feelings.
“I love Cherry. I like how she didn’t see people as two separate groups,” said eighth grader McKenna Furia. Cherry teaches the reader not to judge a book by its cover. Even though she is a Soc, she still becomes friends with Ponyboy and tries to help him. Even though she’s a Soc, she isn’t stuck up—she’s witty and cares about others.
As you travel through the story with these characters, living through these events with them and experiencing the pain with them, you really connect with them, making each development of the story more heartbreaking as it continues.
With all of its stellar qualities, The Outsiders captivates its readers, leaving them wanting more. “I didn't know there could be so much story in one little book,” said eighth grader Julia Bathazar. “It keeps you on the edge of your seat. It never really stops.” Julia went on to say that she never really liked reading before, but The Outsiders has made her want to start.
It is incredibly important for teens to be introduced to this book, and even the students think so. “It has taught me a lot about how different people see things from different perspectives, and how one little thing can impact a person’s life forever,” said Julia. This novel makes a profound impact on so many students’ lives, teaching them life lessons they will never forget, giving them the push they need to start reading and providing them with a beautiful story they will return to again and again for years to come.
