The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton

I taught this book in some of my grand nine English classes. When I first read it, I was emotional, the characters were so very real to me. Being from the wrong side of the tracks myself, I related to these young people flawlessly. Each of the characters pulled my heartstrings in one way or another until I loved them all. The storyline itself has many themes: friendship, love, brotherhood, acceptance and even support systems. The book is a gold mine of tidbits about gang related life, in its early stages and through to the death. Readers are encouraged to read The Outsiders since it will bring the charm and the horror of gang warfare alive. Read this book!!