100,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฟ

๐Ÿ‰ ๐Ÿ”ฅ Happy Threshing Day! Pre-order the Deluxe Edition of Rebecca Yarros' newest release today! ๐Ÿ”ฅ ๐Ÿ‰

The Outsiders

4.14 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 1,541,491 ratings, 55,366 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton is a gripping young adult novel that explores the intense social divide between two rival groups: the working-class Greasers and the wealthy Socs. Through the eyes of a young Greaser named Ponyboy Curtis, the story delves into themes of friendship, loyalty, and the struggle for identity amidst societal pressures. With compelling characters and poignant observations, the novel captures the challenges of adolescence in a world of conflict and misunderstanding.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$4500

International Supplier

This title is in-stock with overseas suppliers. While it is not available locally, we fly books in weekly from the US and UK to our Auckland warehouse for immediate dispatch.

AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 2-3 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate stories about friendship, loyalty, and the struggle between social classes. It's perfect for readers who love coming-of-age tales and exploring the challenges faced by teenagers growing up in difficult circumstances. The narrative offers a touching view of young people trying to find their place in a divided world.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Includes bonus material, a new foreword by the author, and a discussion guide.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton unfolds the gripping tale of Ponyboy Curtis, a young man growing up in the gritty streets of the 1960s. Life in a rough Oklahoma neighbourhood is far from simple. Ponyboy, a thoughtful and sensitive teenager, navigates a world marked by the stark socioeconomic divide between the "Greasers," the working-class kids, and the "Socs," the affluent teenagers who enjoy tormenting him and his friends. In this world of constant tension, Ponyboy finds solace in his close-knit group, particularly his brothers Darry and Sodapop, and his steadfast friends, such as Johnny and Two-Bit. Yet, his understanding of loyalty and belonging is challenged after a tumultuous night that spirals out of control.

Since its publication, The Outsiders has become an enduring classic, celebrated for its authentic portrayal of teenage angst and rebellion. It laid a critical foundation for the young adult genre, offering readers an honest glimpse into the complexities of growing up on society's fringes. Hinton's work captures the essence of youthful struggles against the backdrop of a sharply divided social landscape.

The novel's impact is profound, as it steers the narrative of young adult fiction away from superficial tales of teenage love and glamour, focusing instead on the gritty reality of troubled youth. Praised by publications like The New York Times for transforming young-adult fiction, it continues to resonate with readers across generations. Critics have hailed it as "taut with tension, filled with drama," as noted by The Chicago Tribune, and a "classic coming-of-age book," praised by Philadelphia Daily News.

Honoured with accolades, The Outsiders was recognised as a New York Herald Tribune Best Teenage Book, a Chicago Tribune Book World Spring Book Festival Honor Book, and an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. Additionally, it received the Massachusetts Children's Book Award, further cementing its legacy as a staple of young adult literature.

Experience the narrative that captures the spirit of the 2024 Tony Award-winning musical, a testament to its enduring relevance and cultural impact. See why The Outsiders continues to captivate the imaginations of readers around the world even sixty years since its original release.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Outsiders is highly praised for its realistic portrayal of teenage conflicts and emotions, transforming the young adult genre with its darker, more authentic storytelling. Reviewers commend its tension-filled drama and powerful coming-of-age narrative, highlighting the novel's depiction of loneliness and hope amidst rawness and violence. Critics appreciate its credible characterisation, with the book being recognised as a classic and receiving numerous accolades for its impact and message.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780142407332

Publisher: Penguin Random House Children's UK

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 20 April 2006

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Puffin Books

Audience: Teenage

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 15.0mm

Width: 141.0mm

Height: 210.0mm

Weight: 218g

Pages: 224

About the Author

S. E. Hinton is the author of a number of bestselling and beloved books for young adults, including THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW; RUMBLE FISH, TEX, and of course, THE OUTSIDERS, which was written when she was just 16 years old. She has also written several picture books, a collection of short stories, and a novel for adults. She lives in Tulsa, Oklahomaโ€”the setting of THE OUTSIDERSโ€”with her husband. When she is not writing, she enjoys riding horses.

Also by S. E. Hinton

View all
  • The Outsiders
    The Outsiders is the original teenage rebel story. Greasers, Rockers, different place, different name - but wherever they are, they're outsiders; the rough, tough, long-haired boys from the other side of town, with little hope of flash cars, fine madras shirts, and the good things of American life in the Sixties. Their story is told by Ponyboy, a Greaser with...
    Paperback
    $2100
    Elsewhere:
    $2300
    Backorder
    Ships mid August
  • Rumble Fish
    Stylistically superb. . . . This packs a punch that will leave readers of any age reeling - School Library Journal Sharper in focus and more mature in style than Hinton's The Outsiders - Booklist An ALA Best Books for Young Adults A School Library Journal Best Books of the Year
    Paperback
    $1699
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Outsiders
    First time in Penguin Modern Classics In Ponyboy's world, there are two types of people. There are the Socs, the rich society kids who get away with anything. Then there are the greasers, like Ponyboy, who aren't so lucky. Ponyboy has a few things he can count onโ€”his older brothers, his friends, and trouble with the Socs, whose idea of...
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $2600
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • That Was Then, This Is Now
    Set in the world of The Outsiders, S. E. Hinton's sequel is honest and hard-hittingโ€”perfect for The Originalsโ€”Iconic, Outspoken, First. Byron and Mark are like brothers, but as they reach 16, things begin to change. Byron is interested in girls, while Mark's focus is solely on making money. Despite their differences, they still enjoy hustling pool games in Charlie's Bar....
    Paperback
    $2300
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

More from Young Adult

View all
  • New Release
    Song of the Saltings
    On the isolated island of Brack, the people live by an ancient bargain: every year, a sacrifice must be made to the Glimm, the creature that haunts the salt marshes. Eight years ago, it should have taken Lotta. Instead, the monster spared her and claimed her pony, shattering tradition and anointing her both folk hero and object of suspicion. Now...
    Paperback
    $2499
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    17% off
    New Release
    Tell Me with Kisses
    From New York Times bestselling author and Wattpad sensation Mercedes Ron comes the English translation of the third in the Tell Me series, where Kamila Hamilton is caught between the two Di Bianco brothers after they burst back into her life. From New York Times bestselling author and Wattpad sensation Mercedes Ron comes the English translation of the third in...
    Paperback
    $2000
    Elsewhere:
    $2800
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    18% off
    Release Me
    The searing second volume in a new series set in the #1 global bestselling Shatter Me universe ten years after the fall of The Reestablishment. Rosabelle Wolff had a plan. Now she wants revenge. To save her sister she needs to get back home and destroy the system that created her. Rosabelleโ€™s greatest strength is her ability to deaden her...
    $1800
    Elsewhere:
    $2499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • A Language of Dragons
    The most exciting debut of 2025 โ€“ an incredible fantasy Dark Academia, perfect for fans of Babel, Fourth Wing, and the Scholomance trilogy. EVERY FIRE STARTS WITH A SINGLE SPARK. Welcome to Bletchley Parkโ€ฆ with dragons. London, 1923. Dragons soar through the skies and protests erupt on the streets, but Vivien Featherswallow isnโ€™t worried. Sheโ€™s going to follow the rules,...
    Paperback
    $1700
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Shatter Me: Shatter Me series 1
    Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi is a gripping dystopian novel that plunges readers into a world where society is on the brink of collapse. At the heart of this chaos is Juliette, a 17-year-old girl with a fatal touchโ€”literally. For 264 days, Juliette has been imprisoned in solitary confinement, her only crime being an accidental touch that resulted in death....
    Paperback
    $2200
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    12% off
    Cozy Corner
    Relax and unwind with this adorable colouring book โ€“ itโ€™s time to get cozy! Step into a world of calm and comfort with Cozy Corner, featuring 45 beautiful hand-drawn pages ready for you to colour in. Settle into your very own cozy corner with these brand new colouring pages! This follow-up to Coco Wyo's beloved Little Corner promises a new...
    Paperback
    $1500
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Bunny vs Monkey: The Great Big Glitch (a Phoenix Comic Book): the instant number one bestselling book from Jamie Smart, Illustrator of the Year
    When Bunny, Monkey and friends discover a glitch in reality, life gets even crazier than normal: Bunny declares himself The Woods' Magical Protector, Pig becomes a superspy, plus there's complete metal Monkey mayhem! Experience the laughs and chaos in Bunny vs Monkey: The Great Big Glitch (a Phoenix Comic Book), the instant number one bestselling book from Jamie Smart, Illustrator...
    Paperback
    $2499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • On Sale
    17% off
    The Summer I Turned Pretty
    The Summer I Turned Pretty is now a major new TV series on Amazon Prime! If you loved The Kissing Booth and Jenny Han's smash-hit Netflix movie series To All the Boys I Loved Before, then you'll adore this gorgeously funny, romantic story! Everything that happened this past summer, and every summer before it, has all led up to this....
    Paperback
    $2000
    Usually:
    $2400
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • A Good Girl's Guide to Murder
    A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson is the New York Times No.1 bestselling YA crime thriller that has captivated readers globally. Now adapted into a major BBC series, this intricately plotted and intensely gripping novel is being lauded as a modern classic in young adult literature. Pippa Fitz-Amobi, an intelligent and determined high school student, is looking...
    Paperback
    $1800
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Powerless
    OVER A MILLION COPIES SOLD! THE INSTANT NO. 1 INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING PHENOMENON. โ€˜Nothing short of epicโ€™ - Rosie Talbot, bestselling author of Sixteen Souls โ€˜A thrilling fantasy with the most delicious slow-burn romanceโ€™ - M.A. Kuzniar, bestselling author of Midnight in Everwood โ€˜[A] titillating debutโ€™ - Publishers Weekly โ€˜A masterpieceโ€™ - Goodreads Reader Review โ€˜Everyone needs to read itโ€™ -...
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $2899
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Free Gift
    The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks
    Louise Rennison for the Dork Diaries generation - hilarious, relatable and full of heart. The first book in the hilarious new series for children by the bestselling creator of Hurrah For Gin. The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks follows Lottie Brooks, who is 11 and feels like her life is already officially over. Not only is she about to...
    Paperback
    $1799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Free Gift
    Lottie Brooks's Totally Disastrous School-Trip
    The fourth book in this hilarious bestselling series full of friendship, family, and first experiences from the creator of Hurrah for Gin. Lottie Brooks's Totally Disastrous School-Trip continues to navigate the many perils of growing up in this fantastically funny illustrated series for a 9-12 audience, filled with friendship, embarrassing moments, and plenty of lols. Woe is me. So much...
    Paperback
    $1900
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships today

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 80,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.