I have always loved reading, but when my first grade teacher gave me this book when i was six, I read a little of it, then put it down. It wasn't until six years later, I was browsing my book shelves filled with my childhood books that I found this book again. It was a school morning, but I picked it up anyways and started reading it. I couldn't put it down! Sure, it wasn't my reading level, but it was a sweet book, written in a way that makes you want to know what happens next. It's about a little boy named Nick who gets an Aussie puppy named Aleasha instead of his wish-a sister. Aleasha wants Nick to play with her like he would a real little girl, but he doesn't. So she comes up with a plan. She will turn into a human. What happens next? Read the book to find out, or read another review that theaches you more about it. Whatever!! But it's a really sweet book.

The Puppy Sister is a fantasy to be enjoyed by young or the young at heart. Alesha, a Aussie puppy doesn't understand why Nick (her owner)doesn't treat her like a person. Then, as she realizes that she isn't human, she decides that she can become a human. A true masterpice!

This is a very funny book that is sure to make children laugh. Even the student who doesn't like to read will enjoy this book. The illustrations that are included in the book help the reader visualize exactly what the puppy sister looks like. I would recommend it for anyone, ages 8 and up, especially animal lovers. The theme of the book evolves around dogs, brothers and sisters, and family life. After reading this book, readers will never look at their pets in the same way again. The Puppy Sister is the type of book that can be read either privately or aloud to an entire class. This would be an excellent book to use during a discussion of brother and sister relationships. It could also be used with students who are planning on getting a new pet. After reading this book, students will realize just how closely animals sometimes resemble people - both in their actions and looks.

This is a collection of two books by S.E. Hinton; THE OUTSIDERS and THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW.
THE OUTSIDERS is about rivalry between the greasers and the Socs in 1960's Tulsa, Oklahoma. Ponyboy Curtis, a 14-year-old greaser, is one of the many kids caught up in this mess. Luckily, he has his fellow orphan brothers, Sodapop and Darrel, plus his gang of almost-brothers, to help him out. One night, though, Johnny Cade, another greaser, kills a Soc to save Ponyboy, which causes them to run to Dallas Winston for advice. Johnny and Ponyboy go to hide out, which turns into a chain of events leading to tragedy.
THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW is about two teenage boys, Bryon and Mark. Mark is an orphan, and he was adopted by Bryon's family after his parents died. The two boys were like brothers before that, though. But things are changing between them. They both feel it, but they don't know exactly what's going on. Bryon is trying to move on, and grow up, by becoming more serious about some things, like his girlfriend Cathy. Mark still just lives for the thrill of things, and seems to be trying not to grow up. Then one night, Bryon comes to a horrible realization about Mark, which throws at him a decision that could change their friendship forever.

THE OUTSIDERS is easily one of the best books I've ever read. If you don't buy this collection to read both, at LEAST read THE OUTSIDERS. You won't forget this vivid and amazing story.
THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW was not as good. The plot was less unique, and the characters were less developed. Still good, but it takes a backseat to THE OUTSIDERS.

This overall is an amazing collection by an amazing author, so if I had to describe, I'd say it was--amazing. This is a terrific buy.

The Outsiders is a book that tells what the world is really like and how it could be dealed with and how it is dealed with sometimes. Its about 2 social group the socs-snobby rich kids and the greasers-lowwer class there is one greaser who kills a soc but i wont tell u the whole story

EVAN BELLIS 11YRS OLD

I have loved this book since I was a child. It is one I treasure today.

Ponyboy Curtis and his equally weirdly named older brother, Sodapop live with their oldest brother, Darrell. The boys' parents are dead and Darrell scrapes by at a minimum wage job to make ends meet.

The brothers live in Oklahoma during the mid-1960s. Called "Greasers" because of their love for Elvis and hair grease, these boys are socially defined by their residence. They are considered "from the wrong side of the tracks."

The "Socs," short for "Socialites" are the more affluent kids who look down on the greasers. Ponyboy is friendly with a Soc girl, thus crossing social boundaries. He is equally friendly with other greasers, including Byron, a very bright and literate boy and his adopted brother, Mark. Mark ends up in jail and Byron graduates from the large high school he attends with Ponyboy.

Both boys share the love a quasi-soc girl. Her brother, called M&M is a brilliant boy who falls prey to drugs and hard street living.

The characters are sharp and well defined as is their neighborhood. The story is indeed compelling and many of these same characters are revisted in "The Outsiders."

S. E. Hinton's books make me think of "Romeo & Juliet" and "West Side Story" with attitude. I love her works.

I got the idea to read S.E. Hinton's "The Outsiders" from by best friend. We saw the movie together and she got me the book for my birthday. Now I've read it twice already!! It's my favorite book!! Reading this book made me compare it to my own life and I concluded that my life and the lives of "The Outsiders" are somewhat the same. Discrimination from other classes . We are the kids that get made fun of 'cause of how we talk and what we wear. But we try not let this bother us and get along with each other. It's us, "ghetto kids" (sometimes we get called that, and like were "thugin'" from the hood), and the other ones, the rich kids that shop and A&E and AF, the preppy kids, they're the ones that call us that stuff. But all in all, "The Outsiders" is my most favoriet book in the entire world, I love it!!

I had to read the Outsiders by S.E. Hinton for school and another one of her books. I am currently reading That was then, this is now and its a really good book. The outsides is a really good perspective on life from an outsiders point of view on things.. I like in the "hood" and we are called hoodlums and we have to watch out for people like the "soc" or what we call, preppies.. S.E. Hinton just does a good job telling the point of view form a outisder and i rate this book on a scale from 1 to 5 a 6...

WOW!! This was totally helpful! I had to read "The Outsiders" for school and these cliffsnotes helped me so much! They helped me to understand the book and to really grasp the concept of it. I would definitely recommend this for anyone reading "The Outsiders"!!

Nick, a bright, engaging kindergartener meets a child in his class named David. Nick's father, also named David bears a resemblance to Nick's young classmate. Both Davids are brunet and wear glasses!

Nick is convinced his classmate is his own dad as a child. He is determined to crack this case. (spoiler)

I got this book because i love S.E. hinton, and once again, I was not dissapointed, i loved it, buy it and read it to your children

Unlike what the editorial review states, this book is not about 2 young men from New York. Rather, this is the Spanish translation of The Outsiders, S.E. Hinton's first and most popular book. It's about 3 teenagers and their gang from the wrong side of the tracks in 1960s Tulsa, Okla. It's a great book about friendship and growing up and I would encourage anyone to read it. If you can read the English edition, do - it flows a lot better and is more realistic.

The impact that this book had on me was amazing. I have read this book 54 times since I was 10. I just felt so connected to it. I would (and do)recomend it to every one I know. Adult and child!

This book was one of S.E. Hinton's best! You knew exactly what the characters were thinking and feeling. It has so much emotion and understanding on teen issues, that are still around today. I would recomend this book to anyone! It's ideal for ages 12-25.

The outsiders, an amazing book, is one of my personal favorites. This book is unpredictable and well written, and causes your reaction to change throughout the book. Even though it's set in the past, it relates to today's world in many ways. There is a sequel to the book called, That Was Then This Is Now, that I wish to read in the near future.
S.E. Hinton shows great talent while writing the book, particularly because she was only sixteen at the time she wrote it. I felt like the character as I read, as if I was walking in their shoes, and seeing what they saw. I was facing the problems they faced, and feeling what they felt. This truly amazing writer definitely got through to me, and touched me.
As you read the book, it takes you on a roller coaster ride of emotion. Sometimes I was astonished and glad, sometimes shocked and sad. No matter which way I was feeling, it held my attention and kept me turning the pages.
The story takes place in a city, with two very different sides of the town. There is the West Side and the East Side. The East Side is where the greasers live. They're hoods with no money, which are looked down on by people that are "better" than they are. Some wear hand-me-downs because they can't afford clothes. Most of them are dropouts that have a poor job and a pack of cigarettes handy. Almost everyone that isn't a greaser thinks that the greasers aren't well educated, and don't have any manners or are just plain rude. Ponyboy (Pony) Curtis, a greaser, is the main character. Darry Curtis, Sodapop (Soda) Curtis, Dally Winston, Johnny Cade, Two-Bit Matthews, and Steve, are also members of the greasers. Through the many difficult situations in the book, including deaths and murders, the greasers always stick together.
On the other side of town, the West Side, the Socs are rich, stuck-up snobs. They're smart and don't have any problems (well, that's what all the greasers think). The Socs have as many problems as the greasers do, and are normal people like them. However, you'll find in the story that the greasers think they don't have any problems at all. The Socs own rich, fancy cars, such as the Mustang. The greasers and socs don't like each other at all. For fun, the socs "jump" the greasers.
Pony, Soda and Darry live alone with out their parents who died in a car accident. They aren't forced to go to a boys' home, but if anything goes wrong, they will. Darry, the oldest, and Pony, the youngest, don't get along. Darry is responsible for Pony and Soda, though he takes out all his stress out on Pony. At one point in the book Darry gets furious and causes Pony's absence, creating a big scene that is central to the plot of the whole book.
This extraordinary book relates to today's world in so many ways. This book definitely says that "you can't judge a book by it's cover" meaning that it's not what you do physically that counts the most, it's what kind of person you are on the inside.
The Outsiders is an amazing, extraordinary, and fabulous book that I strongly recommend to other people.

"So it doesn't do any good, the fighting and the killing." This was a lesson both worlds (the socials and the greasers) had to learn in the book the Outsiders. Almost all that happened with the socials and the greasers had to do with fighting, or even killing. Johnny, Pony Boy, and the rest of their gang dealt with the first hand. In fact a couple of them have committed these acts, even killing. All this fighting you'd think they'd learn or even try to fix it. That's how this story came to be.

When you think of Pony boy, a main character in the book, you'd probably think he's sensitive but brave. Also he has a pretty good personality for where he lives. Dally, on the other hand, is rough and mean. He's always into trouble and not many people get along with him. Soda Pop is in between. He's handsome and brave but fights a lot. Johnny is a scared, but can be brave boy who's lost in his dying world. Cherry Valance is a smart, pretty soc who decides to help the greasers in the war against the Socials because she hates the fighting and will do anything to stop it.

So when Pony Boy and Johnny get jumped and up roar occurs in their group. So as Johnny and Pony Boy run away things start occurring until they suddenly find themselves back in their home town but not the way they had intended returning. All the while there's a big rumble being planned between the Socials and the Greasers to end all battles. This motivates many of the characters to be ready and win this rumble so they can stop some of the violence. But the Socials believe that nothing will change even if they win.

This book is all about fighting for life and rights. Also about how some people trying to reach there dreams even if they're at the bottom of the pyramid. It's a great book to read and has a good meaning to help people in life. It teaches people that fighting is no answer for problems. Also that you shouldn't treat people like they're less than you. Cause no one's less because of where they live or if they're poor. It does deal with death and what consequences could happen when you do something drastic or something you knows not right. Consider reading this book.

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton is a realistic and dramatic book. The Outsiders is about gangs and their problems toward eachother. There are the Greasers and the soc's. A lot happens with these two gangs. One of the Greasers kills a soc. This leads to a big fight that won't even prove anything. One of the soc told ponyboy,"And tonight...people get hurt in rumbles maybe even killed. I'm sick of it because it doesn't do any good. You can't win, you know that, don't you?"(p.103)"You can't win even if you whip us. You'll still be where you were before-at the bottom. And we'll still be the lucky ones with all the breaks. so it doesn't do any good, the fighting and the killing. It doesn't prove a thing."(p. 103) The fight still went on.
This was a terrific book and easy to read. The characters were funny and sad and just like anybody else. I liked the fact that they were such good friends. They watched out for eachother. The Greasers were Ponyboy, Sodapop, Darry, Dallas, Two-bit, and Steve Randle. The good thing about them was they didn't go around looking for trouble like the soc did. I recommend this book to everyone.It is a good book to read and once youstart youwon't beableto put it down.

The novel Tex by S.E. Hinton is an exciting book about a young teen and the problems he faces while growing up. Tex lives at home with his older brother, Mason, while his father travels the rodeo circuit. Tex's troubles begin when his father forgets to send money and Mason is forced to sell Tex's horse Negrito, in order to pay the bills. As things continue to get worse, Tex's easy going happy days come to an end. As Tex grows up he faces problems with all the people who are important to him. His father, brother, best friend, and his girlfriend all play an interesting part in the book. Through out the book, Tex reacts to situations in a careless and honest way even if it brings him trouble in the end. The author, S.E. Hinton, brings the characters to life because of the way she portrays them. I could almost guess the way Tex must be feeling at certain times in the book. She has a way of knowing what teenagers think and feel. The book kept my interest entirely because you never knew what might happen next. She lets the reader know that it is normal to have bad feeling for others sometimes. I believe this book helps teenagers understand that growing up isn't always easy.

After Rumble Fish, S.E Hinton took a nine-year break from writing and got married, and gave birth to her son, David. After those nine years, she came back into the Young Adult scene with a vengeance; this time in the form of a sweet fifteen year old cowboy named Tex McCormick. Like The Outsiders, That Was Then, and Rumble Fish, Tex has the overall theme of a teenage boy growing up, but what makes this one different is the amazingly matured style of writing the author has developed. S.E Hinton was surprisingly able to change her usual downtown setting into the country in a vivid and realistic way. Though it was mildly refered to in her previous writings, this is the first of Susan's novels to openly portray sex as one of many ponderings and reflections in Tex's typical teenage mind. Another change is the style of character she uses. Tex McCormick is different from Rusty James, Ponyboy, Bryon, and Mark- he's definitely not as tough, and doesn't smoke regularly (although he says he wants "to get around to it sometime"). I had to give it four stars because of the lack of storyline in the book. There's isn't really a solid foundation to it, but it is made up simply by the innocent way Tex describes what he sees, feels and does. I loved reading about the way he described falling in love for the first time with Jamie. Overall this was an awesome book, not really a drama but a more or less a smart-witted, adorable, and extremely humorous tale of a boy who looks at life and its troubles through rose-colored glasses.

Tex, by S.E. Hinton is my favorite book. I used to hatereading, but I read this book and now I read it like every week and Ialways love it! This book is full of action and adventure. The characters in this book seem real and you have to love all the characters, especially Tex and his brother Mace, who is the star on the basketbal team, trying to get a scolarship as a way out of his hick town. Tex is an amazing book, and I would recommend it to anyone!

A friend of yours is killed because of your life style. Do you continue to live like that or change?
Mark and Bryon are like brothers. They grow up together hustling pool and street fighting. A friend Charlie dies during a street fight, Bryon then turns his life around. Mark sells drugs and is turned in by Bryon. Mark then goes to prison. Mark and Bryon who onced loved each other hate each other in the end. The book That Was Then This Is Now is a realistic fiction story. I would recommend this book to anyone who has read The Outsiders. It's a spin off of this wonderful novel. This book however, is slow moving. It has excitement, but it is slow to reaching its climax. It is a story based off of choices. It relates to everyone; we all have a choice how we choose to live our lives. I enjoyed the book, but not as well as The Outsiders.

In the book, That was Than This is Now by S.E. Hinton, a young boy goes on his path to maturity while his best friend is still acting like a tough greaser. Like many of S.E. Hinton's books this takes place in a time of gangs and hippies. After the socs and the greasers' war, Bryon and his best friend Mark are enjoying life by being to able to do whatever they want. Mark was brought into Bryon's family after his parents killed each other. Their mother does not care what they do as long as they don't get themselves killed. Him and Bryon have been best friends since they were little kids mixed up in the greasers. They hang out in a bar, hustle complete strangers in pool and go to the drug store with M&M, who is a hippie. Due to a turn in events these three, and M&M's sister, Cathy, get into a dilemma where their decisions can determine the rest of their lives.

This book that S.E. Hinton wrote is a lot like many others he wrote, such as Taming the Star Runner, Tex, and Rumble Fish. It takes place in the mind of a young boy going through tough times by living on the streets. This book's time period is probably two years after The Outsiders, but in this book, unlike The Outsiders, the characters are different. There is still Ponyboy Curtis, but that is the only character from The Outsiders. S.E. Hinton has written many good books for young readers and this book is no exception. I really enjoyed reading this book and recommend this book for all young readers.

This is a powerful book that is excellently written. It tells of a teenager who is finding himself and must make decisions that ruin friendships and effect his life. Throughout this boy's maturing, many characters are introduced. The characters almost come alive, they are so real.

Toward the end of the book, I found myself in tears as the boy makes a necesary decision that SEEMS right, that appears to be the moral decision, but the outcome doesn't seem fitting and it made me wonder whether he made the right choice, whether that was the right decision.

This book is very life-like, very real. S.E. Hinton is my favorite author and she writes about what she knows; thus, the situations are easy to relate to. Infact, without even meaning to, I found myself relating to the story, comparing it to my life. The knowledge I received from this book will help me make decisions as I get older. If you are a young adult searching for who you are, or someone trying to make the right decisions in life, you need to read this book! It makes you think and ask yourself, "What is the right choice? What did this boy do wrong?" Apply it to your life and learn from the lesson, almost hidden, in this book

Rumble Fish teaches you to stand up for yourself and be prepared for the future. In the story they had many family and drug problems. Tex was very different from Rumble Fish. The author has a good perspective of teen life even though she writes from a male perspective. There are many teens who have family and drug problems like the characters in Rumble Fish. For example, there are no longer that many traditional families because of numerous issues. Rusty James's mom left his dad when he was a toddler. Mr. James's drinking caused them to split up. In addition, there are many young people doing drugs in the story and the world. Biff Wilcox is a pill popper. Cassandra is another drug addict. There are many problems in the story that relate to the world. Rumble Fish was really cool to read and easy to understand. Some people could realte to it. It has good description, so you got to know the characters well. In some parts it was a little slow. Overall, everybody thought it was a good book.

Rumble Fish is an elusive, dark novel that gets deeper with meaning each time you read it. This book is NOT something to be read while watching TV. If you do, then I can garantee that you won't like it, let alone understand it. Being extremely vague of exactly where Rusty-James'story takes place, S.E Hinton has created a world where extreme violence is being thrown to the limits, and drugs are taking control of the streets. The Motorcycle Boy is definitely one the most complex characters in young adult literature today; he plays a huge part of the story, yet the reader can only imagine what he is really like. Reading from a phsycological point of view, Rumble Fish delves deeply into the heart of a dangerous fighter; the extreme physical and emotional pain of crying for the first time, what it's like to not be loved; a concept that was never touched on in any other of Hinton's novels. Overall, an INCREDIBLE read that will leave you breathless. Read it again when your twenty-five.

I figured if I didn't see him, I'd start forgetting again."
Growing up, had been hard for Rusty James, he didn't want to remember his middle school years. He had been abandoned by his mother when he was a toddler, his father was a drunk and Rusty James had been expelled from school. He was only as good as his last fight and it all came down, crashing in on him.
S.E Hinton takes us into the hard life of a teen age boy. The boy, Rusty James wants to be the strongest street fighter. Rusty James relies on his fists for friends and respect. We see the true emotions of this teenager his loneliness, sadness, fears and confusion.
Rusty James learns the hard way, he never gets a break. He makes mistakes and pays for them. He looses the one person he admires and respects and ends up in a reformatory.
I recommend this book to boys in middle school. The problems are so complex such as poverty and divorce that an adult would like it too