Relating to The Outsiders by Savannah

Relating to The Outsiders by Savannah - July 2013 Scholarship Essay

            The best book that I’ve ever read for school was The Outsiders in 7th grade. Although this book was read in middle school, I believe that it has left the greatest impact on me out of all the books that I have read. I believe this is because it felt realistic and relatable, even though it was written in and took place in a different era. This book dealt with stereotypes and cliques that are still found throughout both middle and high school today, although slightly in a different form. This book showed the “Greasers” and the “Socs”, two completely different social groups who hate each other for invalid reasons. As a 7th grader I was able to relate to this as I looked around and viewed the different social groups around me who disliked other social groups because they behaved or looked differently. I find that this book is also relatable for both preteens and teens because it deals with a character named Johnny who has made a grave mistake while trying to help his best friend, and in real life most teenagers have made unfortunate mistakes while trying to help their friends by getting too deeply involved or by acting before thinking. Johnny’s mother is also an abusive alcoholic who leaves him feeling unwanted, alone, and scared. Many teenagers and preteens go through situations such as this or have felt unwanted or alone at some point in their lives. This book deals with murder, abuse, gangs, and inexperienced teenagers, but through all of this turmoil there is still the strong bond of friendship. This book leaves the reader with the message that no matter what happens and no matter how dark the days seem, life goes on and so does hope.