Discover the remarkable story behind S.E. Hinton's groundbreaking novel, The Outsiders. In this episode, we explore how a 16-year-old high school student wrote a book that would revolutionize young adult literature and become one of the most widely taught works in American schools.

We examine the novel's publication history, the author's influences and development, and the 1960s social and political environment that shaped this powerful story about class conflict and youth experience. Discover how critics initially viewed The Outsiders, how its reputation changed over time, and why it attained canonical status in American literature.

Whether you're studying this novel for class, teaching it to students, or reading it for personal enrichment, this episode provides essential context for understanding why The Outsiders continues to resonate with readers more than fifty years after its publication.