Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Outsiders

As a writer, my A to Z challenge is going to be about books, characters, TV shows and movies that have impacted me somehow. Enjoy! Be sure to check out Lee’s blog to find more bloggers taking on this challenge!
The Outsiders

I didn’t read this book as a kid – and I wish I had. I’ve read this one to all my grade 8 classes over the years. It’s one of those books that can make a reader out of someone who has never found stories that interesting. Ponyboy draws in readers with the contrasting aspects to his personality – tough gang member, sensitive thinker. There’s one scene that will cause absolute silence in a grade 8 classroom and will cause every single member of the class (including me) to have tears in their eyes or on their cheeks. If you’ve read it, you know the scene.  That book has made it okay for boys in my class to feel – and to discuss those feelings aloud. Awesome.
Any books you know that make boys comfortable discussing their feelings?

42 comments:

Beth Zimmerman said...

Wow! That is awesome! I'm going to have to add this one to my must read list!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Now I'm intrigued...I might see if I can borrow this from the library.

Old Kitty said...

THIS is THE book that made me want to write. THIS BOOK!! Totally THIS BOOK!

But funny anecdote - my friend and I who were Outsiders junkies went to see the film - up to that point we pronounced "Socs" as well - SOCKS. Ahem. It was only when we watched the film that we realised it was pronounced "Soe-shes"! LOL! Take care
x

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Will look this up on Amazon to see if they have it.

Great O post.

Yvonne.

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Will look this up on Amazon to see if they have it.

Great O post.

Yvonne.

JeffO said...

I read this book a ton back in the day. It's a great one. And I read "That Was Then, This Is Now" a lot, too. I think I liked this one better, but it was close.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I read it in high school. Movie was all right but not as interesting.

Anonymous said...

I have not read the book or seen the movie. Like JeffO I read "That Was Then, This Is Now" That was a great book. The movie, not so much.

Jemi Fraser said...

Beth - it's such a powerful story! So many great scenes :)

Lynda - I'm sure you can - it's a pretty iconic story so I'm sure it's there. :)

Old Kitty - I called them Socks for years too - until one of my kids reminded me it was short for Socials... :)

Yvonne - it's a great story :)

Jeff - That Was Then is always very popular with my students as well!

Alex - I'm never as much a fan of the movies (LotR being the exception :))

Stephen - if you like That was Then, you'll love the Outsiders! :)

Talli Roland said...

This book is so amazing!

When I was teaching, we did a book called 'Stone Cold', about a homeless teen on the streets of London. It really got the boys talking.

Jemi Fraser said...

Talli - I'll have to check Stone Cold out - I've never heard of it! Thanks :)

Kelly Polark said...

I absolutely love the book and the movie The Outsiders. Ponyboy is my favorite literary character of all time. He's tough, close with family, and he reads poetry! :)
C. Thomas Howell is my Twitter buddy. I interviewed him for my Book Recs site and we've stayed buddies. Follow him! He answers his fans frequently when he's online.

Julie Dao said...

I love the title and the story sounds fascinating! I haven't read this book yet, but I'll definitely add it to my list.

Karen Jones Gowen said...

I think Dickens does this very well in Oliver Twist and Charles Dickens, although they're a little heavy duty for teen boys today.

Unknown said...

I haven't read any like that today but I do like the premise of this book. I just finished Handmaid's Tale, which was an uncomfortable read about a girl.

T. Powell Coltrin said...

I haven't read the Outsiders, but doesn't Holes have boys sharing feelings?

T

T. Powell Coltrin said...

I haven't read the Outsiders, but doesn't Holes have boys sharing feelings?

T

Jack said...

This sounds like a wonderful book and I hope I can find a copy at my local library! I believe I've seen it before, hopefully.

Oh yes, music makes things not only more enjoyable but also, in my belief, easier to conquer.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

If you can get boys to talk about their feelings then that is quite an accomplishment.

S. L. Hennessy said...

I've STILL never read this one. I really have to go get it.

Shelley Sly said...

I am so intrigued! Adding this to my list. :)

Margo Berendsen said...

Whoo HOOO!!! I posted on this one too!!!!

The only books that can get my husband to open up a little are Louis L'Amors - grin.

Heather M. Gardner said...

I haven't read this since school. Maybe its time to pick it up again.
Heather

Leslie S. Rose said...

I agree that I wish I'd read this book when I was younger. I saw the movie first and was swept away. I couldn't wait to dig into the book. It's amazing. What a profound character study.

Jemi Fraser said...

Kelly - that's so cool! I love when famous folks are 'real'! :)

Julie - it's another great story - so many layers. Ponyboy is an awesome character!

Karen G - Oliver Twist is SUCH a great story! Breaks my heart every time! :)

Clarissa - Margaret Atwood never likes to write a comfortable read - she likes to make you think!

Teresa - Holes does do that, just not to the same extent as Outsiders. I love Holes too!

Karen W - it really is! It's such a great book!

Jack - I'm sure it's pretty much in all libraries! :)

Diane - it's amazing how much pours out of boys when we do this book!

SL - I really like it and think it's well worth a read!

Shelley - it's worth a look! Great story :)

Margo - great minds!! :) Louis L'Amour is a favourite of many!!

Heather - I liked it! It's a really thought provoking story!

Jemi Fraser said...

Leslie (sorry - cross posted!) - I agree. SE Hinton was wise beyond her years - she really saw well beyond the surface at a very young age :)

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I think all the students in our junior high read this also.

Jemi Fraser said...

Susan - it's such a strong book. Hinton was a very wise young lady!

Lisa Gail Green said...

Wow. That certainly is a good advertisement! :D sounds like a winner.

Jemi Fraser said...

Lisa - it is a winner! I love Ponyboy :)

Anonymous said...

Stopping by to say hello! I'm trying to remember if this was one of the books my son had to read when he was in school.

Susanne
PUTTING WORDS DOWN ON PAPER

Jemi Fraser said...

Susanne - hi! It very well might be. A lot of boys who don't normally read a lot of fiction love this book! :)

Kelly Polark said...

I came back to tell you that SE Hinton is also on Twitter. I get all excited if she tweets back, I'm such a fan of hers!

Jemi Fraser said...

Kelly - is she really??? That's so cool! I'll definitely have to check her out :)

Patricia Stoltey said...

If recommend it that highly, Jemi, I'm going to read it.

Jemi Fraser said...

Pat - It's really very good Pat - I think you'd love it! :)

Theresa Milstein said...

I read this book in middle school. I was blown away that S.E. Hinton was so young when she wrote it. So impressive. This book had a huge impact on me.

Jessica Salyer said...

It's been a really long time scince I read it. I'll have to read it again.

Precy Larkins said...

I need to read this. Another one to add to my TBR pile. Isn't it sad that I missed this while I was young? We really didn't have an access to a library back then. No wonder I'm making up for it now by reading all the time. :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Theresa - it's so powerful! She had such insights into people at such a young age! :)

Jessica - it really is worth a re-read, isn't it? :)

Cherie - I missed it when I was young too. It's still well worth it as an adult!

Anonymous said...

I loved this book as a kid. I haven't taught it, but when it's in my classroom library students reach for it.

Jemi Fraser said...

Medeia - kids do spread the word quickly on this book. It has that kind of appeal!