Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Bookish Wisdom earns from qualifying purchases. This doesn't change our picks or your price.
Quick answer: If you loved The Outsiders, try That Was Then, This Is Now, Rumble Fish, Tex, The Catcher in the Rye, A Separate Peace and Lord of the Flies. Each one is an honest coming-of-age story about friendship, loyalty or growing up on the wrong side of town.
S.E. Hinton began The Outsiders as a teenager, and it was published in 1967. Ponyboy Curtis, a young greaser in Oklahoma, is caught up in a feud with the wealthy Socs. When his friend Johnny kills a Soc in self-defense, the two go on the run. Readers love its honesty, its brotherhood and its famous line about staying gold. These books share its teen voices and its emotional truth about class and belonging.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Age | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| That Was Then, This Is Now | S.E. Hinton | Ages 12+ | readers who want more Hinton |
| Rumble Fish | S.E. Hinton | Ages 12+ | readers who like tough, short novels |
| Tex | S.E. Hinton | Ages 12+ | readers who want a gentler Hinton |
| The Catcher in the Rye | J.D. Salinger | Ages 14+ | readers who want the classic teen narrator |
| A Separate Peace | John Knowles | Ages 13+ | readers who like tragic friendships |
| Lord of the Flies | William Golding | Ages 13+ | readers who want boys turning on each other |
| The Chocolate War | Robert Cormier | Ages 13+ | readers who like bullying stories |
| Monster | Walter Dean Myers | Ages 13+ | readers who want a modern classic |
| Long Way Down | Jason Reynolds | Ages 12+ | readers who like brotherhood and revenge |
| Dear Martin | Nic Stone | Ages 14+ | readers who like modern social issues |
| All American Boys | Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely | Ages 12+ | readers who want a story of two boys |
| Speak | Laurie Halse Anderson | Ages 13+ | readers who want an honest teen voice |
| The Perks of Being a Wallflower | Stephen Chbosky | Ages 14+ | readers who like a lonely narrator |
| Holes | Louis Sachar | Ages 9-12 | younger readers |
| The Giver | Lois Lowry | Ages 11+ | readers who like a thoughtful short novel |
1. That Was Then, This Is Now by S.E. Hinton
Two foster brothers drift apart as one is drawn to crime.
Best for: readers who want more Hinton.
2. Rumble Fish by S.E. Hinton
A boy worships his older brother, the town's former gang leader.
Best for: readers who like tough, short novels.
3. Tex by S.E. Hinton
A sweet-natured boy deals with family secrets and an absent father.
Best for: readers who want a gentler Hinton.
4. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
A disillusioned prep school boy wanders around New York.
Best for: readers who want the classic teen narrator.
5. A Separate Peace by John Knowles
Two boarding school boys are bound by a moment of jealousy.
Best for: readers who like tragic friendships.
6. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Stranded boys descend into savagery on an island.
Best for: readers who want boys turning on each other.
7. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
A boy refuses to sell chocolates at a school run by bullies.
Best for: readers who like bullying stories.
8. Monster by Walter Dean Myers
A Black teen on trial for murder writes his story as a movie script.
Best for: readers who want a modern classic.
9. Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
A teen rides an elevator with a gun and the ghosts of his past.
Best for: readers who like brotherhood and revenge.
10. Dear Martin by Nic Stone
A Black prep school student writes letters to Dr. King after an incident with police.
Best for: readers who like modern social issues.
11. All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
A police beating divides a school along racial lines.
Best for: readers who want a story of two boys.
12. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
A freshman stops speaking after a traumatic event at a party.
Best for: readers who want an honest teen voice.
13. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
A shy freshman writes letters about friendship and a buried memory.
Best for: readers who like a lonely narrator.
14. Holes by Louis Sachar
A boy is sent to a strange juvenile camp and digs up a family mystery.
Best for: younger readers.
15. The Giver by Lois Lowry
A boy learns the dark truth behind his perfect community.
Best for: readers who like a thoughtful short novel.
How to Choose
If you want more of Hinton's world, read That Was Then, This Is Now and Rumble Fish, both of which share the same setting and tone. If you loved the honest narration, The Catcher in the Rye and The Perks of Being a Wallflower are the classic picks. For modern books about class, race and violence, Long Way Down, Dear Martin and All American Boys are short, urgent and easy to discuss in class. The Chocolate War and Lord of the Flies have darker views of boys in groups. Younger readers can begin with Holes or The Giver. All of these work well for reluctant readers, because they are short, direct and full of real stakes.
Related: What Age Is The Outsiders Appropriate For? A Parent’s Guide · 12 Dystopian Books Like the Hunger Games | Best Books to Read Like Hunger Games
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Outsiders about?
A young greaser named Ponyboy is pulled into violence when his friend kills a member of a rival group.
How old was S.E. Hinton when she wrote The Outsiders?
She started writing it at around 15, and it was published when she was 18.
What does “stay gold” mean?
It means to keep your innocence, and it comes from a Robert Frost poem that the boys discuss.
Is there a movie?
Yes. Francis Ford Coppola's 1983 film featured Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze and Matt Dillon.
What age is The Outsiders for?
It is often read from about ages 12 to 14.