I still find it hard to believe that this incredible novel was written by a 16-year-old. I might call her a genius and I think that she simply had to share this story with everyone and wrote it as good as she could.
And what was the outcome, my fellow readers? We got a book that we couldn’t let go of until we finished it. But like every other book, this one too ended quite quickly and left You and Me hungry for more. And that hunger is what gave birth to this article (I’ve used so many “and” that I feel “and”) so without any more “ands'” let’s get started.
Here is the list of best similar books to the Outsiders:
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime
Author: Mark Haddon.
My first recommendation is “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the night-time” by Mark Haddon, written in 2003. Sure, this isn’t the first title that comes to our minds when we think about “Books like the Outsiders” and nor does it follow the socio-economic theme like the Outsiders but this book sheds some good light on the social structure and how differently-abled people are treated.
The story revolves around a 15-year-old Christopher John, Francis Boone, a mathematician (and later a detective) with some behavioral problems due to autism, the story has been told through Christophers’ perspective and starts with the death of the neighbors’ dog (Wellington) and Christopher becomes the prime suspect. When the cop tries to touch him while interrogation, he hits the cop and is arrested and later released with police caution… After his release, he decides to find the real culprit and thus becomes a detective, will Christopher succeed in catching the real culprit or get himself behind the bars again?
The curious incident of the Dog in the night-time has won plenty of awards including the “Book of the Year” award. The book depicts in great detail how differently-abled people are treated and how autistic people think.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian
Author: Sherman Alexie
The first time I heard the title, I thought it’s about some native Indian person working part-time, and not about a native American Indian, and this book is one of the most heartbreaking books I’ve stumbled across although I don’t think it’s an appropriate novel for youngsters, it has also faced criticism on plenty of occasions due to the discussion of Alcohol, profanity, violence, bullying, mental disability, and a couple of others, that is also the reason why it has been banned from many school libraries, but I think perfectly depicts the darker side of society, its ups, and its downs.
The story revolves around Arnold Spirit Jr. Better known as Junior, who lives on Spokane Indian Reservation. Junior tells the story through his diary and often adds cartoon drawings to comment on the situations and the people he loves. Similar to Christopher Boone from The curious incident, Junior is also differently-abled and suffers from hydrocephalus and so he’s small, has poor eye-sight, stutters, and suffers seizures quite often.
Due to being differently-abled, he gets constantly bullied but still manages to make a friend named Rowdy. Junior later transfers from his school to an all-white public school, this just makes everyone at the reservation hate Junior and he is torn between fitting into his all-white school and his Indian heritage, but can he balance both and have a happily ever after?
Eleanor & Park
Author: Rainbow Roswell.
Another book that I couldn’t mention in this article and like all the books mentioned here, this one too has been crafted beautifully and can make it impossible to do anything till you’ve finished reading. But unlike the two books above this one has protagonists that are seemingly normal, but are they normal? Definitely not.
The story revolves around Park Sheridan and Eleanor Douglas, who are practically poles apart. Eleanor hails from a poor family and has been kicked out from the house by her abusive stepfather, While Park hails from an okay-ish family and often feels sad and envious due to his height and isn’t much enthusiastic about Taekwandoo that his father loves.
Our two misfits first meet on a school bus where Eleanor has a hard time getting a seat. Later on and little by little, they connect with each through comic books and other things, but Eleanor has a bad habit of hurting Park even though she knows how he feels about her. Do you think that our imperfectly perfect couple can settle their differences and other problems and have a happy life or will they break-up?
Looking for Alaska
Author: John Green.
John Green… the first author to make me cry like a baby over 3 times with a single book (The fault in our stars) of his. Whenever I read John Green’s or Nicholas Sparks’ name (A walk to remember was the second book to make me cry) in a book I can’t help but get goosebumps and avoid them for a while.
But this book left with a big “Huh?” And a hole in me. Looking for Alaska is the first book written by John Green and one of the most read books on Goodreads.
The story starts with Miles Halter who transfers to a small boarding school in Alabama. There he becomes part of smart, troublemaking oddballs and develops a serious crush on Alaska Young.
Later on, the story turns into the typical (cliche maybe) teenage life with Alcohol, depression, casual sex, fights, and other things. Those things above are also what made this book one of the banned books but makes quite a fine book if you’re looking for books like Outsiders.
Perks of Being a Wallflower
Author: Stephen Chbosky.
“He’s a wallflower. You see things. You keep quiet about them. And you understand.”
This line explains a 15-year-old Charlie perfectly and this book spans over a year in Charlie’s life, during which he observes everything around him. The author beautifully painted an honest picture, while covering themes like mental illness, sexual assault, drug use, and homosexuality (No wonder it was in controversy). But once you give it a try, you’ll develop a secret bond with Charlie, as you walk in his world.
As he writes letters in his diary, you’ll (maybe literally) see the thoughts. His dark past hampers every relationship that he forms. He befriends two senior year students, Patrick and Sam, and explores the things that were untouched by him. Patrick and Sam helped Charlie to break free and taught him to live in the moment.
You’ll definitely find something to relate with. And there are some beautiful lines that will stay with you after you finish reading. I’ll definitely recommend it to you as it illustrates the dark side of adolescence, in the most simple and precise manner. Join him, in his journey of finding out how he could be sad and happy at the same time.
The Catcher in the Rye
Author: J. D. Salinger.
This list simply wouldn’t have felt complete if I hadn’t added this book here and if you truly liked The Outsiders, then you must read The Catcher in the Rye.
This coming of age story starts with Holden Caulfield whom you might know if you’ve read J. D.Salingers’ books before. Anyways our boy Holden gets kicked out of his “Elite” boarding school due to poor grades and now has to face his family (Nightmare). But instead of changing and working hard, Harold decides to move out earlier so that his parents don’t receive any notice. But he gets into a fight with a fellow student and ends up knocked out and decides to leave the very night.
After that goes out partying and hiring sex workers but hires a wrong one and get best up again. The Catcher in the Rye has been one of the most controversial and censored books of all time. But makes a good read if you’re looking for something like the Outsiders.
Rumble Fish
Author: S. E. Hinton
Why Not? If you’re looking for books like the Outsiders, then why not just take a look at the other books and once you read Rumble fish, you’ll understand just how similar the book is to the Outsiders.
The book revolves around Rusty (reminds me of some other Rusty.) Who meets his old buddy (Steve) after a long time on the beach. And after some chatting he Rusty recounts the things that happened in the past to Steve.
As teens, Rusty and Steve were both in the gang and often hung out to play pool, they learn that some guy named Biff is out to kill Rusty but he ignores it and then later it comes true. Biff and Rusty fight, but Rusty manages to beat Biff but gets stabbed due to getting sidetracked for a movement. He is then saved by the Motorcycle guy who happens to be his brother and returns home.
The book’s title “Rumble fish” is quite significant to Rusty as it was something related to his brothers’ death. After the tale, Steve invites Rusty for dinner and asks to meet again later. But Rusty decides to bolt so that he can forget about his brother.
This novel depicts some of the teens’ issues that the novels of those times often left out. Other than that it also brings the dynamics of gang life and other things into the limelight.
That was Then, This is Now
Author: S. E. Hinton.
Another book by S.E Hinton that you need to take a look at before moving elsewhere (not literally!). This book is lesser known than the outsiders but if you’ve read the Outsiders then you’ll realize that many things in “That was then, this is now” are familiar to you, for example, Ponyboy who makes an appearance in this book too.
The book revolves around two childhood friends named Mark and Bryan who’ve been living together since the death of Marks’ parents, but due to some problems, Bryan’s family undergoes financial distress, and this forces both Bryan and Mark to look for jobs. While Bryan actually looks for jobs, Mark ends up in criminal activities. The situation gets worse at home and Mark starts bringing home a questionable amount of money, by this time Bryan and Mark are already growing apart and Bryan starts becoming suspicious about Mark’s work.
This book explores how Mark and Bryan are forced to fend themselves without any adult supervision and honest teen struggles like it did in The Outsiders. There’s also a movie on this book but that one has a sort of happy ending instead of the harsh reality of ending that the book offered.
Monster
Author: Walter Dean Mayers.
Monster is yet another YA drama novel that cuts too close to the Outsiders. The story has been through third-person and first-person perspectives. The first person perspective is portrayed in a diary format and the diary belongs to an African-American teen named Steve Harmon.
The story revolves around Steve along with 4 others has been arrested and jailed for drugstore robbery and murder. While Steve is waiting for his trial, he begins recording his shortcomings in a diary in the form of a movie script (there’s also a movie made outta this book). Steve records the moments of his arrest and how his mother had freaked out, he also recounts a visit from his father and the court proceedings.
The book’s title “Monster” was a tag given to Steve and others by the prosecutor, now the main question (after spoiling so much) will steve be found guilty of the murder or will he be released as a free man.
This book has won numerous awards including the 1999 National Book Award for Young people’s literature, and once you read the book, you’ll understand it won the award.
Chocolate War
Author: Robert Cormier.
Was there any chocolate war in entire history? I feel like there might’ve been but this chocolate war doesn’t involve any chocolates (sucks!) And to be honest, I don’t know how the chocolate war will make you feel.
The chocolate war is one of the most censored books, the honest dirtiness of this book made it banned in some parts of the world, and in the other part of the world, it’s being taught. Trinity high is an all-boys’ school that is being ruled by the elite group called Vigils. Vigils create assignments for the students which no one is allowed to refuse. It was run by manipulative senior, Archie Costello and headed by an evil teacher Brother Leon.
A set of events start occurring when Jerry Renault says no to selling chocolate, which was one of the assignments given by Vigils. In the end, his thoughts were heartbreaking, when he told his best friend not to disturb the universe and to do what he is asked to. This story portrays evil, peer pressure, manipulation, power, bullying, and corruption. But I guess that’s what makes it like the Outsiders… more or less.
Conclusion:
Finally! We’ve reached the end of our topic, and you’re still reading, I’m thoroughly grateful and also if you wanna start a gang or join one, drop a comment below. You can join the Book Dragons only if you like reading and stealing books as much as I do.