The Collection: The Outsiders / Rumble Fish / That Was Then, This Is Now

by S.E. Hinton

Two novels reveal the realities of growing up young and poor in an Oklahoma city, the importance of family and friends during hardship, and the struggle to discover identity apart from society's perceptions.

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

S.E. Hinton, was and still is, one of the most popular and best known writers of young adult fiction. Her books have been taught in some schools, and banned from others. Her novels changed the way people look at young adult literature.

Susan Eloise Hinton was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She has always enjoyed reading but wasn't satisfied with the literature that was being written for young adults, which influenced her to write novels like The Outsiders. That book, her first novel, was published in 1967 by Viking.

Reviews

[Lana Mnajjed · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the BEST BOOK IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!! I mean i like almost every book i read but this one is seriously amazing. It has so much things that keep pulling you in to read. It has adventure, mystery, love and some comedy here and there. It is a very heart touching story that I will never forget in my life. It is a book for everyone who likes to read so i would recommend it to anyone older than 10. Again, its the best book in the world even though it started out as a school assignment so I'm telling everyone who didn't read it to pleeeeeeeeeease read it.(P.S. if i could I would rate it 10 stars and I'm talking about the Outsiders- i will read the other books though soon)

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

i rember reading them in 8th grade.. i could relate to the fokes in the book and i think that helped me setul in to my new live from the big city to small town living..lol some day i should dig them up again and see if i still like them as i did then..

[Pablo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main character of this book is Rusty James he is a rude guy that likes to play pool with his friends, and love to fiht with other groups. He always want to be like his big brother Motorcycle Boy. The theme of this is try to enjoy the live be cool but be responsible dont be like Rusty James to get in problems and maked that his big brother solved.I appreciate the author because on pg 11 Rusty James act very rude,"Whats the matter with you?Give me a cigarrete¨. And when I was reading I like can see the dialog beetween Rusty and Steve on my mind.The style of writing of this author was doing alot of diologs like in pg 12 "You been acting funny eversince the motorcycle boy left"?"He is been gone before"I said get mad. And use rude words in a fight moment.Pg8 "I wasnt afraid of fighting Biff, but I didnt see any need to be stupid about it.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that all three books were very good. The Outsiders was my first S.E. Hinton book and now I am in love with her books! That was then, this is now, is a really good book too! The way that book took a turn with M&M was crazy. Rumble fish is one I read recently. I was not expecting the ending, but overall an amazing book. I would definitely recommend these books to anyone that enjoys action/fiction/drama!

[chris small · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a HUMONGOUS loyal fan since I was about the age of 8 years old-ish and I wish you could publish a NEW ANYTHING PLEASE YOU ARE SUCH AN AMAZING AWESOME CREATIVE WRITER AND KEPT ME DRAWN INTO YOUR "WORLDS" PER SE. THANKS FOR YOUR WRITINGS! SINCERELY, MS. KAREN BEATY
29 WOOD DUCK ROAD
MARSTONS MILLS, MASSACHUSETTS
02648?

[Sabrina Morgan]

Read all her books back in 1986. The outsiders was one of my favorites.

[Peter Shields · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear M&M will.never forgrt him.

[Darryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still and we forever be the B E S T book ever written and my all time favourites

[Story Revolution]

Published four years after her phenomenally successful first novel, The Outsiders, That Was Then, This Is Now confirmed S. E. Hinton's place in the canon of young adult literature. Returning to the same working-class landscape, Hinton paints a deeply-felt portrait of best friends Bryon and Mark, as they grow up and grow apart. Puffin is proud to publish this award-winning classic for a new generation of readers. A mature, disciplined novel which excites a response in the readerhard to forget. --The New York Times Brutal, harsh, yet always credibleone of the best. --Publishers Weekly

[Krait · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Outsiders explores concerns all teens experience. Violence, alcohol, social class differences, what it means to stand up for your mates, death, brotherhood, heroism and cowardliness, and more.

The language is harsh and realistic, but I sometimes struggle with the fact that at 14 years of age, Ponyboy is portrayed as so cynical, yet innocent and dreamy too.

The story is the classic coming of age theme that sees Ponyboy grasp the reality of life, while also realising that he can follow his dreams and "stay gold" at the same time.

[Shayn · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Omar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is by far the best book I have ever read in my 13 year old life and I am sure that it is the best book S.E. Hinton wrote. It gives you a mixture of genres which are:
Action
Thriller
Murder
This book shows you the life of teenagers as rough as it could get, killing, hiding and fighting.
I would recommend this book to 13-17 year old teenagers.

[Sandra Bassett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I REALLY liked these books as a teenager. They are about teenaged boys who have rough beginnings but learn about life in that stage that we all hope to learn, our teens. They are very rugged and solitary. I always found it fascinating that they were written by a woman.

[Jlacyfraz · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the first books I taught in my role as 8th grade Honors English teachers where the cool kids were black and the white kids were bussed in. We all feel like outsiders at some time-- especially as adolescents.

[XANAXUSER07 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I REALLY LIKED READING THESE BOOKS

[Elizabeth]

THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW by S.E. HINTON (1974)

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

S.E. Hinton: the Collection: The Outsiders / Rumble Fish / That Was Then, This Is Now
Hinton, S.E.
a growing up story in rural america

[Sarah]

who hasn't read this one? It was ok, but i read it in school cos i had to...

[Louisakra · Rating 1 out of 5]

I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeedddddddddddddddddddddddd IT! Thanx Mrs.Lowry

[Isaac · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good book and I am excited to read the other books she has written. I recommend this book to all my friends because it teaches life lessons that everybody shoudl know.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

greatest dam book evaaarrr !!!!!! it is soo realistic lol if you are ever bored you should just read it honestly :)

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

adored these books as a kid. still love them when i re-read them as an adult

[Natalie]

AMAZING

[Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

pretty much the books i read oer and over agan n junior high.

[Robin Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories changed my life when I read them as a young, impressionable adolescent.

[Thom Riddle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely my favorite collection of books from the Secondary English curriculum.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review concerns 'That Was Then, This Is Now ' only - it's a short read but one I enjoyed, a coming of age tale.

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome series

[Yulisa Olvera]

I THINK IS A GOOD BOOK

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

best books ever!