Monday Meme Spotlight: Unexpected

We all love school....right? Yeah, sure. Some classes are fun, but some just make you want to beat your head against the wall until you pass out and don't have to endure it anymore. I know a lot of teens who feel that way about their English class- especially the required reading. I get a lot of my ideas for these posts from goodreads.com lists, and one list I found was 'Books I'm Glad My Teacher Made Me Read.' So here are the top 3 books that may surprise you when your teacher hands them out to the class. 

To Kill a Mockingbird- Harper Lee- There's been a big splash around this book since the publishing of the companion novel, Go Set A Watchman. But TKAM has been widely regarded as essential reading for a very long time. It tackles controversial issues in a way that teens can understand, and the story isn't bad, either. If you think you'd like to get a jump on it, click here to get a library copy.

The Great Gatsby- F. Scott Fitzgerald-America in the Roaring 20s was a wild place to be. This book isn't required reading in all schools, but it's definitely a classic, and one that most teens enjoy. If you think you might be interested in this (short) historical fiction, click here.

The Outsiders- S.E. Hinton- It's the socs against the greasers in this YA novel about fitting in. Ponyboy is a greaser, and when things go bad, he has to figure out just how far his loyalty goes. If you like classics, especially classics that are less than 200 pages, you'll love The Outsiders. Click here to give it a shot.

Sometimes teachers and assigned reading feels like a huge burden, but sometimes, you'll find something you actually do enjoy if you just have an open mind.

Book Review: The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Although most of my reviews focus on newer books, sometimes it is good to visit the classics. The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton is often thought to be the first young adult realistic fiction novel. In the genre of teen literature it is a classic that still proves to be relevant to today’s teens. It is a story of growing up, dealing with consequences, and relationships.

Ponyboy lives with his brothers Darry and Sodapop. Since the death of his parents Darry has taken on the role of provider for his family working hard and sometimes coming down hard on Ponyboy. He and his brothers are greasers and are constantly being attacked by the soc’s when they are alone. One night an attack goes too far and Ponyboy and his friend and fellow greaser Johnny find themselves in over their heads and nothing will ever be the same again.

S. E. Hinton was a teenager when she wrote this novel and she demonstrates a clear knowledge of the feelings and issues of teens. This well written, quick read should be on everyone’s reading list!

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