The start of every 7th grade ELA school year brings the same curriculum cycled again—including the tradition of reading The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. Following the 14 year old greaser Ponyboy Curtis and his gang in the 60s, this book is a teacher and student favorite. There are also movie and musical adaptations of S. E. Hinton’s groundbreaking story.
The characters in this story are always moving and changing opinion, in a lifelike and exciting way. The greasers are living in the 60s which is a time of inflation and war with Vietnam. The volatility of the whole country is reflected in the fast paced attitude of the greaser gang in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Outsiders is sure to be a great read for the 7th graders this year.
