This post contains spoilers for The Outsiders. I know it’s been quite a few years since it was published, but I figured I’d post a warning.

I first read The Outsiders when I was in the seventh grade. And I hated it. I thought it was the worst piece of literature that I had ever read. I remember talking to my mother about it, being so upset about the fact that these boys seemed to not have a choice. How could someone write something so terrible?