The Outsiders

by S.E. Hinton

S.E. Hinton's classic coming-of-age tale is heartbreaking and powerful.

Fourteen-year-old Ponyboy is in a gang of "greasers" who rival a gang of rich kids.

This book has been credited with helping to create a foundation for the Y.A. genre as well as opening up themes of class division and trying to find a sense of belonging.

Learners may also find it interesting to learn that this book was written while the author was herself still in high school.

How Self-Paced Book Club Classes Work

Participation in the self-paced book club includes immediate access to a set of resources and activities to be completed at your own pace.

Families are welcome to use as many or as few of the suggested resources and activities as they'd like to fit their interest and schedules.

Book Club Materials

  • Suggested Reading Schedule

  • Reading Guides with Comprehension Questions (PDF and Google Slides)

  • Vocabulary and Reading Activities

  • Writing/Multimodal Project Prompts

  • Video Discussion of the Book

  • Final Project Feedback Rubrics

Ages:

9-13

Content Note:

This book was first published in the 1960s and is a bit dated. 

There is a depiction of violence between two rival gangs including a death.

There is brief mention of sex as well as alcohol. The characters smoke cigarettes. 

You may find this review from Common Sense Media useful in deciding if the book is right for your learners: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/the-outsiders

Supplies:

  • A copy of the book The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton (ISBN: 9780142407332).
    Used and borrowed copies will work just fine! If your learner is going to participate in final projects and reading guides, I recommend having a physical copy even if they primarily read the ebook or audiobook. (Dayla Learning Bookshop Link)
  • PDF reader
  • Access to printer recommended


Pricing options

This class uses a sliding fee scale for pricing options in order to build more equitable access to these educational opportunities.

Meet Your Teacher!

Michelle Parrinello-Cason

Dr. Michelle Parrinello-Cason is the founder of Dayla Learning. She has a PhD in rhetoric and composition, a passion for helping students find their writing voice, and two homeschooling children of her own. Michelle has taught in a wide variety of settings including six years as a full-time college professor. She has been teaching virtual and in-person homeschool writing and humanities classes for more than five years. Michelle believes in meeting students where they are and — as any of her previous students will tell you — believes deeply that there is no such thing as a bad rough draft!