1. Retell the story from the perspective of the Socs. What would be the title of this new book? Are the Socs depicted as "the insiders," or are they also outcasts?

2. Write a research paper on contemporary gang life. Does the information you discover resemble Ponyboy's gang? Does it remind you of Tim Shepard's gang or the gang from Brumly? Considering that The Outsiders is set in the 1960s, how accurate do you think Hinton's depiction of gang life is?

3. Write a paper about child abuse. What options are available for young people in situations like Johnny's? Are Johnny's reactions and emotions typical of an abused child?

4. Who is your favorite character in this book? Why? Who is your least favorite character? Why? Which character in the book do you identify with the most? Why?

5. Read some of the critiques written about The Outsiders. Did any of the critics mention points you hadn't considered? Which points do you agree with and disagree with in particular critics' evaluations?

6. Many readers are surprised to learn that S. E. Hinton is a woman. Why do you think this is? What does this reveal about the book's content? What does it indicate about gender roles and perceptions of male and female behavior in your country?

7. Discuss how adults are portrayed both as a group and as individuals in The Outsiders.

8. Is there any character in The Outsiders who can be considered a villain? Who are some potential candidates for this title? In what ways do they fit the role, and in what ways do they not?