Write a book review of the novel you read. I expect very detailed responses for this assignment mainly because it is your final one for your novel. YOU MUST follow the criteria given on the following websites: (Choose the appropriate criteria according to your novel - fiction or non-fiction)
1.) FICTION NOVELS - http://teach.fcps.net/literaryclub/old/fictionportfoliograde4_8.htm
2.) NON-FICTION - http://teach.fcps.net/literaryclub/old/nonfictiongrades4_8portfolio.htm
Not an Outsider to Contemporary Fiction
ReplyDeleteI thought that The Outsiders was a very powerful novel. If we were still in the novel’s era, I probably would be blabbering on about blasphemy and poor role models, but this is the present day, and the novel is being recognized for the work of art it really is. The Outsiders follows the story of Ponyboy, who is a low-income youth in a rather bad neighbourhood. He depends on his brothers and fellow “greasers”, especially when dealing with the vicious, well-to-do Socs. However one day, a group of Socs take things to far, and suddenly, Ponyboy is a fugitive. While you may find it hard to relate to some of the old-timey things they speak of (soda in glass bottles? But that’s expensive!), but the underlying message is universal. This novel is really worth some of your time.
The characters are really the backbone of the novel, and they generally all come from bad backgrounds. From abusive parents to no parents, the characters are, quite frankly, messed up. This made the novel quite tense, foreboding, and a bit depressing, especially for those making the transition from bright sunny children’s novels to the dreary world of YA fiction. The characters were all imperfect, and this sort of messes with your head. Poor role models as the main characters? Outrageous! Sadly, not all of the characters develop as the novel goes on. Two-Bit remains the same kleptomaniac, and aside from being depressed, Ponyboy doesn’t really change that much. However, even without too much character development, the character interactions are quite emotional. The characters’ toughness as well as “tuffness” luckily prevent the novel from taking a nosedive into a soggy pile of sentimental mush.
As for originality, you’d be forgiven for thinking the novel suffered from a rash of clichés. Not true. This novel essentially invented these clichés as well as completely reinventing the genre. For its time, S.E. Hinton took a lot of risks with the languages and depictions of underage smoking, drinking, and violence. For its time, The Outsiders would have made a lot of people a bit squeamish or even offended. Now that the genre has been used so much, The Outsiders might not seem that original, but pretend you are back in the 60s, when it was published.
So, The Outsiders is definitely worth your time for the well defined characters and the originality of the writer. The simple, but wonderful prose keeps the novel tense and scary, but it also keeps a sort of feeling of hope bubbling at the bottom. The novel had many sides to it. Some showed a suburban town gone wrong, others showed the resilience of the human spirit, and they all showed S.E. Hinton’s gift with words.
@Charles - When I first saw how much you wrote, I was thinking, "Holy, how much time did this take?!" Then I read it and though that everythnig was perfect, proffesional quality, with plenty of details, and everything. Even after all of this time, you still amaze me.
ReplyDelete@Everyone - I just found out Charles's writing isn't perfect D: He forgot to put a space between the intro and the first paragraph. It's a sign that the universe is ending, he's never wrong!
ReplyDeleteWith tragedies and heroism, The Outsiders by SE Hinton is one that will leave you hanging. In The Outsiders, the story of Ponyboy, a Greasers living with his two brothers Darry and Sodapop in poor conditions, he has to depend on them and the small group of other Greasers who are his friends to help him, mainly with troubles against the Socs, the people who are privileged enough to live on the good side of town, and have plenty of money. All goes as usual, until one day, a group of Socs pushes one of the gang too far, and everything changes. Pony boy and his friend are now wanted fugitives, and the Socs are now out for revenge, all ending with the death of two heroes, one a hero, the other an under-aged delinquent.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things that help this book be so great is that Hinton wrote the character’s words exactly to what they say, with the accents and language of that time. This helps because it just seems more ‘real’ when you have the accents or pronunciation right, instead of perfect grammar for an uneducated hood. For example, instead of Dally saying “I’m so bored, what do people do for fun around here, play checkers?” He says, “Man, this place is out of it. What do they do for kicks around here, play checkers?” Pair this with an important problem in the world, and you’ve got a good book.
And important discrimination is. In The Outsiders, without discrimination, there wouldn’t be a story. The Socs are discriminating against the Greasers by thinking that they are beneath them just because they are Greasers and have less money, while the Greasers in turn don’t understand that Socs have problems too, and that most of them don’t have fun by jumping Greasers.
In the end, I pity the fool who wouldn’t read this book, for it is simply one of the best books on this subject of all time.
@Everyone - Great work! This will be great for your inquiry assignment coming up this week!
ReplyDelete@Leonard - Remember this? "How do you get that backwards b?" In-jokes aside, I thought that the use of accents will start to be used a lot more in my own writing. Your review was pretty good, but "pity the fool" sort of came from nowhere.
ReplyDeleteDo you enjoy books with murder, gangs, and emotional parts? If you answered yes then you will simply adore The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. If you said no, you will still enjoy this tale. The Outsiders focuses on a bitter rivalry- the uber rich kids who fight for pleasure called the Socs, and the Greasers. The kids with greasy hair who aren't always rolling in dough that are from the "wrong side of town". The main character is a Greaser named Ponyboy who lives with his two brothers, Sodapop and Darry. Being a Greaser, his life isn't all fun and games as you probably would have guessed. Getting jumped by the Socs is something he fears and dreads each day. Then one day things go to far. Ponyboy and his friend Johnny get jumped one night and Johnny panicks. He pulls out his switchblade and kills a Soc named Bob. Suddenly Ponyboy and Johnny are fugitives and on the run. Then tragity strikes and Ponyboy's world turns upside down.
ReplyDeleteThis was a great book exellently written by Hinton and her grammer fits in with the theme of the book perfectly. I have never read another book on this subject before so this book is as unique as putting pears with cheese (the combination of pears with cheese really works quite well)! This book teaches lessons in a great, non-boring, crazy way and you would have to live on Mars not to want to read this amazing book!
@Leonard- Your post was long, detailed and great. I actually liked the "pity the fool" part.
ReplyDeleteThe Outsiders by SE Hinton was a wonderfully written book with heroism, discrimination, and the important fact of realism. The Outsiders is about a 14 year old boy named Ponyboy. Ponyboy lives with his brothers Darry (20) and Sodapop (17)in a somewhat rundown house in suburbia. But Ponyboy isn't a normal kid, he is in a gang,a social class called the "Greasers." One night Ponyboy and his friend Johnny get jumped by a gang of "Socs" another social class who live in the upper side of town with nice homes and cars. Someone goes too far that night leading for a shocker you won't want to miss!
ReplyDeletePonyboy and Johnny are now on the run with only little bits of food and water, a couple packs of cigarettes, and a handgun. In the middle of the book there is a fire in the church where they were hiding caused by one of the cigarettes, When Ponyboy and Johnny were out kids came in and played in there not knowing that the fire was about to spread. Both boys see the fire and run back to save the children. they break the window and climb in, the kids are in a corner crying and yelling for help. next thing you know Dally comes in and helps to. They gt all the children out safely except just as Ponyboy and everyone are about to get out a burning beam falls Dally slaps Ponyboy on the back so hard it knocks him out of the way and out cold. But it was too late for Johnny, The beam fell on Johnny giving him 2nd degree burns to 85% of his body and he is also paralyzed for life. In the end of the book both Johnny and Dally die causing great sadness throughout the gang and the book.
In conclusion I think that this was a wonderful book filled with friendship,courage, and heroism. This book gives out a great meaning and overall tone about the life of these two different social classes. Overall a great read for any 11-12 year old!
@Peeta- I think you went a little bit off topic with the cheese and pear thing. But stil it was a great post!;)
ReplyDeleteIf you like to read books with fighting, reality, gangs and murder (not trying to copy peeta but I couldn't think of another word for murder) then The outsiders by SE Hinton is the perfect book for you! The Outsiders is a great book written by SE Hinton which has a lot of heroic events and has a bit of racisim. The Outsiders is based on Ponyboy who is 14 and lives with his two brothers Darry (20) and Sodapop (17) in a place that you could call a house. It is mainly about two gangs, the Socs "a vicious gang of rich kids who's idea of fun is beating up and jumping Greasers and the Greasers, kids who put way to much grease in their hair and are apparently from the wrong side of town. Since he is a Greaser the Socs treat them like a scab on their knee always picking on it. Ponyboy and his gang get jumped by the Socs quite often, and one night some on takes things to far...
ReplyDeleteNext thing you know Ponboy and johnny are on the run with absolutly no food andjust enough money to survive with, A gun and Only one pack of cigarettes. Further on into the book I felt that this part was the climax, Ponyboy and johnny are taking shelter in an old run down church and the church catches on fire because of one of the cigarettes. Ponyboy and Johnny escape only to realize that there was a group of children in their and they run back to save them and just in the nick of time Dally comes along and helps them. They safely but slowly carry the kids outside because of the smoke. Just as ponyboy was coming out a glowing red beam was about to fall but Dally grabed the gun and gave Ponyboy such a hard blow than it not only knocked out of the way it Knocked him out cold. But I guess Johnny didn't see it and the beam fell on him causing him severe 2nd degree burns al over and had him paralyzed. Sadly Johnny and Dally died in the hospital, but they died a hero!
To conclude I felt that this was one of the most interesting and relistic book I have ever read. It is filled with heroism, courage and friendship. This book is so great that if you don't read it well then that is just sad and you will regret it (I'm just Kidding)!!!!!
@Hanna great post. loved your use of words it was very vivid and clear.
ReplyDelete@Peeta- How does pears and cheese taste good together? Have you tryed it? ;) :?
you guys wrote to much and now I have to compare to you at 7:30 in the morning!
ReplyDelete@LUna- Yes I have! It tastes sort of sweet and cheesy at the same time (if you are using brie cheese).
ReplyDelete