THE OUTSIDERS by S.E. Hinton is remarkable for many reasons. First, it wasn’t written by an established author; rather, it was written by a 16-year-old girl, which wasn’t exactly a position of power in the 1960’s. Second, this 1967 novel is often credited with being the first YA book out there (when the publisher realized it was being bought by high school teachers to use in classrooms, an entirely new marketplace --- and age category --- was born). Lastly, though, the book is legendary for its hard-hitting themes of gang rivalry, class conflict and honor, its gripping plotline and emotive writing.

The book’s unique backstory and powerful content doesn’t protect it from book banners, though --- THE OUTSIDERS has been challenged by numerous schools because of its portrayal of gang violence, smoking and drinking and lens into family dysfunction.

Below, YA author Julie Chibbaro (INTO THE DANGEROUS WORLD) and Teen Board members Maggie D. and Harleen K. talk about what THE OUTSIDERS means to them and how they’d respond to those who want to ban it.

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