S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders has remained a quintessential coming-of-age novel for decades. Its themes of youth rebellion, class division, and the complexity of friendships in a harsh world continue to resonate with readers today. Fans of The Outsiders often find themselves searching for books that explore similar themes—stories that portray the struggles of young people facing societal pressures, forming lasting bonds, and challenging their environments. In this blog, we’ll take a look at 10 must-read books that share the essence of The Outsiders—whether through their portrayal of class struggles, intense friendships, or the raw emotion of youth.
1. That Was Then, This Is Now by S.E. Hinton (400-500 words)
Why It’s Similar: Written by the same author as The Outsiders, That Was Then, This Is Now explores many of the same themes of friendship, loyalty, and growing up in a divided world. It follows the relationship between two boys, Bryon and Mark, who are caught between their youthful innocence and the realities of the adult world.
Plot Overview: Bryon and Mark were inseparable as kids, but as they grow older, their differences begin to pull them apart. Bryon, who is trying to find a more responsible path in life, faces moral dilemmas that ultimately cause a rift between him and his best friend Mark, who is still trapped in a more dangerous lifestyle.
Why Fans of The Outsiders Will Love It: That Was Then, This Is Now delves into the complexities of friendship and personal growth, much like The Outsiders. The dynamic between Bryon and Mark mirrors the relationships in The Outsiders, where the characters face tough choices that test their loyalty and their understanding of right and wrong.
2. A Separate Peace by John Knowles (400-500 words)
Why It’s Similar: The Outsiders is about the struggle between social classes, and A Separate Peace is centered on the competition between friends and the psychological effects of war. Both novels examine friendship, rivalry, and the coming-of-age experience against a backdrop of tension.
Plot Overview: Set in a boys’ boarding school during World War II, A Separate Peace follows Gene, who befriends his charismatic roommate Phineas. Their friendship is tested as Gene becomes increasingly jealous of Phineas’s natural ability to excel in life, leading to a tragic accident that changes their lives forever.
Why Fans of The Outsiders Will Love It: The novel explores themes of friendship, guilt, and the loss of innocence. Like The Outsiders, it portrays how a seemingly simple friendship can unravel and lead to personal and emotional turmoil.
3. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (400-500 words)
Why It’s Similar: The Catcher in the Rye shares many thematic elements with The Outsiders, including alienation, confusion, and the search for identity. Holden Caulfield, the protagonist, struggles with his feelings of disconnection from the world around him, much like Ponyboy Curtis in The Outsiders.
Plot Overview: Holden Caulfield, a disenchanted teenager, recounts his experiences in New York City after being expelled from his prep school. He wanders the streets, grappling with his feelings of alienation and confusion about adulthood, while longing to protect the innocence of those around him.
Why Fans of The Outsiders Will Love It: Both books explore the inner lives of their protagonists and the ways in which they struggle with the pressures of growing up. Holden’s journey of isolation and his emotional struggles will resonate with fans of The Outsiders who appreciate the emotional complexity of youth.
4. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (400-500 words)
Why It’s Similar: Both The Outsiders and The Perks of Being a Wallflower deal with the struggles of adolescence, but The Perks of Being a Wallflower also includes themes of mental health, identity, and acceptance. Both novels portray complex friendships and the need for understanding in a world that often seems cold and indifferent.
Plot Overview: The story follows Charlie, an introverted high school freshman, as he navigates the challenges of growing up, dealing with trauma, and finding his place in the world. His relationships with two seniors, Sam and Patrick, help him to learn more about himself and the world around him.
Why Fans of The Outsiders Will Love It: The Perks of Being a Wallflower is filled with the same raw emotion, deep friendships, and the search for belonging that makes The Outsiders such a compelling read. The novel’s portrayal of growing up and dealing with difficult emotions will resonate with fans of S.E. Hinton’s work.
5. Go Ask Alice by Anonymous (400-500 words)
Why It’s Similar: Go Ask Alice deals with issues of peer pressure, rebellion, and self-discovery, which are also central to The Outsiders. Though more intense and tragic, it explores the same themes of youth struggling to find their identity in a world full of conflicting values.
Plot Overview: Told in the form of a diary, Go Ask Alice recounts the downward spiral of a teenage girl who succumbs to the pressures of drugs and peer influence. Her descent into addiction is filled with confusion, self-loathing, and a longing to belong.
Why Fans of The Outsiders Will Love It: The themes of rebellion and the struggle to find one’s place in the world echo The Outsiders, where characters are torn between their desires for acceptance and their sense of right and wrong. Fans of the raw, unflinching portrayal of youth will find this book both haunting and relatable.
6. Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison (400-500 words)
Why It’s Similar: While much lighter in tone than The Outsiders, this book shares themes of growing up, navigating relationships, and finding one’s identity. Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging is a comedic and heartwarming look at the ups and downs of adolescence.
Plot Overview: The novel follows Georgia Nicolson, a British teenager, as she deals with family drama, friendship issues, and her first experiences with boys. Written in a humorous diary format, Georgia’s voice is relatable to anyone who has ever felt out of place or unsure of themselves during their teenage years.
Why Fans of The Outsiders Will Love It: Though lighter in tone, the themes of adolescence, peer pressure, and navigating the complex world of friendships and romance are similar to those in The Outsiders. Georgia’s hilarious yet heartfelt perspective on her teenage life will resonate with fans of S.E. Hinton’s work.
7. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor (400-500 words)
Why It’s Similar: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry explores racial inequality and the struggles of growing up in the South during the Great Depression, similar to how The Outsiders examines class division and social struggles. Both books depict young protagonists learning about the harsh realities of their worlds.
Plot Overview: The novel follows the Logan family, particularly young Cassie, as they navigate the challenges of racism and injustice in Mississippi. The story is filled with themes of resistance, loyalty, and the importance of family in a time of great social and racial tension.
Why Fans of The Outsiders Will Love It: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry shares the same themes of class struggles and growing up in a divided world, making it a compelling read for fans of The Outsiders. Cassie’s journey of self-discovery and her family’s fight for justice mirror the emotional depth and struggles of S.E. Hinton’s characters.
8. Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger (400-500 words)
Why It’s Similar: Both books explore the lives of young people coming of age in a small-town setting where social and economic divides play a major role in shaping their futures. Friday Night Lights offers an in-depth look at high school football culture, class struggles, and the intense pressure placed on youth.
Plot Overview: Set in Odessa, Texas, Friday Night Lights follows the lives of high school football players and their coaches as they navigate the highs and lows of small-town life. It focuses on the pressures faced by these young men as they try to succeed in a community that places enormous value on winning.
Why Fans of The Outsiders Will Love It: The themes of small-town life, peer pressure, and striving for success despite overwhelming odds will resonate with readers who enjoyed The Outsiders. The emotional depth and exploration of class and ambition will appeal to fans of S.E. Hinton’s novel.
9. Looking for Alaska by John Green (400-500 words)
Why It’s Similar: Looking for Alaska shares many themes with The Outsiders, including the search for identity, the impact of friendships, and the emotional turmoil of growing up. It also deals with loss and self-discovery in a way that is raw and emotionally poignant.
Plot Overview: Miles “Pudge” Halter heads to boarding school to search for a “Great Perhaps.” He forms deep bonds with his new friends, especially Alaska Young, whose mysterious and troubled personality draws him in. The novel explores themes of love, loss, and the complexities of adolescence.
Why Fans of The Outsiders Will Love It: Both novels explore the deep emotional lives of their young protagonists, with a strong emphasis on friendship and loss. Fans of The Outsiders will appreciate the complex characters and the emotional rollercoaster of growing up.
10. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier (400-500 words)
Why It’s Similar: The Chocolate War delves into the complexities of peer pressure, conformity, and personal defiance, similar to the struggles faced by the characters in The Outsiders. Both books explore the challenges of standing up for what’s right in a world full of expectations and pressures.
Plot Overview: The story follows Jerry Renault, a high school student who refuses to participate in his school’s annual chocolate sale fundraiser. His defiance sparks a series of events that lead to bullying, manipulation, and a personal battle with the authority figures at his school.
Why Fans of The Outsiders Will Love It: The themes of standing up against societal expectations, dealing with peer pressure, and the consequences of personal choices make The Chocolate War a compelling read for fans of The Outsiders. Jerry’s inner conflict and resistance to conformity mirror the struggles of S.E. Hinton’s characters.
Conclusion (200-300 words)
If you loved The Outsiders, these 10 books will take you on a journey of friendship, rebellion, and self-discovery. Whether you’re exploring the complexities of youth, class struggles, or the emotional tension of growing up, these novels will offer you a deep dive into the experiences that define us. Each of these books captures the essence of what makes The Outsiders so powerful—the way young people face the challenges of the world around them, form lasting connections, and learn to navigate the complicated process of growing up.
