S. E. Hinton

"The Outsiders" by S.E. Hinton is a really good book because it talks about stuff that teenagers can understand, like being friends, feeling like you don't fit in, and how money and where you come from can affect your life. It's interesting because it's set in the 1960s, but the things the characters go through are still things that people deal with today. Teachers could use this book with students to talk about what it means to be yourself, to be a good friend, and how the world can treat people differently just because of where they come from or how much money they have. They could also talk about why some people make bad choices and how those choices can change your life.… (meer)

One of my first loves in books, The Outsiders fueled my obsession for the greaser subculture during my adolescent years, and it was one of those books of escapism where I wished I could jump inside and live a different life. I had the whole James Dean/Marlon Brando look, the sticky pomaded hair, the black leather jacket and the slim white T-shirt, but always found myself out of time. This book is really homely and feel-good for me, and it spurred me on in confidence to accept who I was and how I dressed, spurning what others thought of me. When things were rough all over, I always stayed gold.… (meer)