One particular theme can be Everyone faces coming of age, but each person handles it differently. In the story, Bryon changes from the beginning to end. At first, he cares only for himself and Mark. However, after he meets Cathy, M&M’s sister, he falls in love with her. As the story progresses, Bryon opens his heart to others. As he puts it: “I had quit thinking only about myself.” This is further shown when M&M runs away. As Bryon comforts Cathy, devastated over the loss of her brother, he says that “it was the first time I’d ever felt bad for anyone except Mark.” This realization marks his own coming of age, his path into maturity.

Bryon also changes in that he begins to recognize consequences for his actions. In the beginning of the story, Bryon really needs a job, but can't figure out why he hasn't gotten one. He blames everyone else, saying that they refuse to hire him. Yet later he realizes what the problem was all along and asks himself, “Who’s going to hire a mouthy kid who acts like he already knows it all?” Bryon's maturation involves a “haircut, clean clothes, and a really big change in attitude.” Bryon is aware of his transformation, and allows himself to continue on the path to maturity.

Yet he is also aware that Mark is not making the same changes. As Byron grows and learns, Mark desperately tries to cling to the gang life that they enjoyed as kids. Mark misses the camaraderie and sense of belonging that came from the extended family of the gang. Although Bryon tries to get Mark to see that it is good “when you know your own personality so you don’t need the one the gang makes for you,” Mark still searches for the relationships they had years ago. He continues to sell drugs, even though it hurts those around him. His concept of right and wrong only covers himself-he doesn't have room for anyone else in his worldview.

What are the major events or memorable events that happened in the book That Was Then, This Is Now?

In S. E. Hinton's novel, many memorable events take place; this answer will focus on the events that impact Bryon's changing attitudes towards his life and his previous self.

When Bryon meets Cathy, his emotional life begins to change in a significant way, making the start of their dating relationship a memorable event in the novel. Cathy's maturity, integrity, and kindness all have a positive influence on Bryon in a general way, but her influence also leads Bryon to separate himself from Mark.

While dating Cathy, Bryon matures and develops a conscience, which renders him unable to stand by and watch Mark knowingly damage lives with his drug dealing. This event is critical to both the plot and to the character development of both Mark and Bryon, and it leads to another significant event that displays Bryon's complete disengagement from Mark.

When Bryon betrays Mark, a third memorable incident in the novel, Bryon's adult self—who is honest, responsible, and caring—emerges. Though Mark is like a brother to Bryon, Mark's actions have become unacceptable; by rejecting Mark, Bryon is rejecting his previous self, choosing instead to be a good person.

What are the major events or memorable events that happened in the book That Was Then, This Is Now?

There are a few memorable events in That Was Then, This Is Now. Most of them have to do with the increasing conflict between Mark and Byron.

First, Mark and Byron are close friends. They actually work together to save M&M from being injured by a gang member at the beginning of the book. They're also trying to make enough money to keep the household afloat while Byron's mother is in and out of the hospital. Mark's parents are dead and he lives with Byron.

They visit a boy named Mike in the hospital and, after hearing his story, Mark says that if anyone ever hurt him like that, he'd hate them forever. This foreshadows the end of the novel.

Charlie, the owner of the local bar, is killed when he tries to defend the two boys from an attack by men who they hustled at pool. M&M disappears.

Mark begins making money from an unknown job while Byron works at a grocery store. M&M is found hallucinating and on drugs; they're told he might not make a full recovery.

Soon Byron discovers that Mark is selling drugs. He calls the police and Mark is sent away to a reformatory. When he visits Mark, Mark tells Byron that he won't ever forgive him for what he did.

What are the major events or memorable events that happened in the book That Was Then, This Is Now?

Here is a list of major events from the book.

1. Mark and Bryon are hanging out in Charlie's bar. They get information that M&M is looking for them. They leave the bar and rescue M&M from Curly.
2. Bryon and Mark visit Bryon's mom in the hospital.
3. Bryon meets Cathy.
4. Bryon and Mark visit Mike Chambers.
5. Mike explains what happened to him.
6. Bryon and Mark try to get jobs.
7. Bryon takes Cathy to a school dance.
8. A fight happens at the dance, and Mark is injured badly enough to need stitches.
9. Charlie is killed by the Texans. Charlie was trying to protect Mark and Bryon from the Texans.
10. Bryon and Mark get Angela Shepard drunk and cut her hair. This is their payback for what she caused to happen at the dance. Her brothers then beat up Bryon in retaliation.
11. Bryon learns that Mark is selling drugs.
12. Bryon turns Mark in, and Mark goes to jail.

What are the major events or memorable events that happened in the book That Was Then, This Is Now?

What are some of the main points of the book That Was Then, This Is Now?

A main point, or theme, of the book is the question of personal responsibility, which is something Bryon begins to realize and Mark does not.  Stemming directly from this concept is the idea of breaking the cycle of fighting and revenge espoused by the gang mentality through a spirit of forgiveness.

The story also emphasizes the consequences of both growing up and not growing up.  Both choices are realistically full of difficulty.  Bryon, who tries to act according to a maturing awareness of right and wrong, is left confused and longing for a time when life and decisions were easier.  Mark, who does not grow up also longs for that earlier time, and ends in ruin. 

What are some of the main points of the book That Was Then, This Is Now?

I assume that the "main points" refer to the themes of the book. If you go to the links below, you will get complete details of the themes and characters. I will summarize them briefly for you.

This is the story of Bryon Douglas and his journey to manhood when he realizes he must find some sense of his moral responsibility to himself and other people. It is a difficult journey within the environment of gangs, violence, and the use of alcohol and drugs. Bryon realizes he must clean up his act, requiring him to turn Mark into the police in the end.

Mark is like a brother to Bryon, but Bryon can no longer condone the gang life he participated in as a boy. Mark wants to recapture the closeness he and Bryon shared during those years, but Bryon has recognized what gang life has done to himself and to Mark. Bryon tries to get Mark to realize the benefit "when you know your own personality so you don't need the one the gang makes for you." Mark has no conscience, however, and wants to go back to the time "when we were like brothers, not just you and me, but all of us together. We woulda died for each other then."