Eve Bunting’s Someone Is Hiding on Alcatraz Island (1984) tells the story of Danny, a San Francisco teenager who rescues an elderly woman from a mugger. Unfortunately, this act angers the Outlaws, a gang at his high school. Seeking refuge, Danny flees to Alcatraz Island, but the gang pursues him. With the assistance of a park ranger, Danny must survive on the island's historic prison grounds. This book was republished in 1994 by Berkley Publishing Group.

When The Chocolate War was first released in 1974, it received a highly controversial reception. Robert Cormier’s groundbreaking novel follows Jerry Renault, a freshman at a Catholic high school, who sparks a rebellion by refusing to sell chocolates for the school fundraiser. His defiance incites the wrath of the Vigils, the school's gang. The book was reprinted by Random House in 1986.

S. E. Hinton’s The Outsiders (1967) became an unexpected hit that opened the door for more realistic young adult novels, including That Was Then, This Is Now. The story depicts the conflict between two gangs: the impoverished greasers and the affluent Socs (short for socials). In Hinton’s narrative, it is the greasers who are typically targeted by the Socs, reversing the usual pattern of violence. This book was republished by Prentice Hall in 1997.

Hinton’s The Puppy Sister (1995) is technically a children's book, but like her young adult novels, it has been enjoyed by readers of all ages. The story is a whimsical fantasy about a young puppy who doesn't realize she's a dog. Determined to become human, she wills herself to transform, involving her entire family in the process. The book was reprinted by Bantam Books in 1997.

Hinton’s third novel, Rumble Fish (1972), delves into the lives of street teens, focusing on Rusty-James, who relies on his fists and his older brother's support. When a series of catastrophic events unfolds, Rusty-James finds himself without his brother's help. The book was reprinted by Laurel Leaf in 1989.

With Taming the Star Runner (1988), Hinton took a different approach by using a third-person narrator to tell the story of troubled fifteen-year-old Travis Harris. Sent to his uncle’s Oklahoma ranch as an alternative to juvenile detention, Harris initially struggles to adapt to rural life. Over time, he forms a bond with Casey Kincaid, a horse trainer working with a stallion named the Star Runner, and writes a book about his experiences. This book was republished by Laurel Leaf in 1989.

Hinton’s novels frequently explore the lives of gangs or gang members in young America, especially during the 1960s and 1970s. Gangs in America III, edited by C. Ronald Huff and published by Sage Publications in 2001, is a well-regarded anthology that compiles the latest insights on modern gangs and the current strategies law enforcement employs to curb gang violence and crime. Through a collection of essays, the contributors delve into the reasons behind youth gang involvement, the impact gangs have on communities, and emerging potential solutions.

Paul Zindel’s The Pigman (1968) follows the story of John and Lorraine, high school students who entertain themselves by making prank phone calls. One of these pranks leads them to meet “The Pigman,” a lonely widower named Mr. Pignati, who profoundly changes their lives and helps them understand the consequences of their actions. The book was reissued in a reprint edition by Bantam Starfire in 1983.