Summary: The Outsiders is a significant and lasting work of literature that contributed to the development of the young adult genre. S. E. Hinton’s famous story about a child who finds himself on the outside of society is as captivating now as it was when it was first published.

Nobody ever said that life was simple. However, Ponyboy is relatively confident that he has things figured out. He is well aware that he can rely on Darry and Sodapop. And he knows he can rely on his friends—true friends who would go to great lengths to help him, such as Johnny and Two-Bit. But not much else other than difficulties with the Socs, a ruthless band of privileged youngsters whose fun idea is to beat up on “greasers” like Ponyboy. At the very least, he knows what to expect—until someone goes too far one night.

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Author’s Purpose: The Outsiders shifted the focus of adolescent fiction from prom queens, football stars, and junior crushes to a darker, more realistic reality. The classic story of a boy who finds himself on the outskirts of traditional society.

Classroom Activity:

1. Comprehension Questions:

• Who are the supporters of Ponyboy?

• What kind of hardship is Ponyboy going through?

• What does Ponyboy do to help with his difficulties?

• What are the ten new vocabularies you learn from the book?

• What could have been different about the book?

2. Class Discussion: What did you like/dislike about the book

Reference:

Hinton, S. E. (2006). The outsiders (Platinum ed.). Viking Books for Young Readers.

Summary: This is a graphic book in which the author uses illustrations and writing telling two stories which he weaves together at the end. The main characters Ben and Rose are both hearing-impaired. He is twelve in 1977and she is the same age fifty years earlier. They both wish their lives were different. Ben longs for his father and Rose dreams of a mysterious actress. They both run away from home in search of things they are missing.

Author’s Purpose: The author touches on the enduring themes of the passage of time, the importance of family bonds, and draws our attention to the challenge of communication without words.

Classroom Activity based on new literacies discussed:

1. Chapter summary. Students use the prompts to write a summary of a chapter:

• Describe the main characters and setting.

• Determine the main theme in the chapter.

• Find the supporting details answering the questions of why and how.

• Revising the summary to include all the essential elements.

2. Students create a dictionary of new or unfamiliar words while reading.

Reference:

Selznick, B. (2011). Wonderstruck (F First Edition). Scholastic Press.

Summary: An engaging story of a girl whose family moves in with her grandmother who is unwell. The story unfolds as she learns about her family's culture/heritage when a mystical tiger offers her a chance to help make her grandmother well.

Author’s Purpose: To provide a modern-day legend -e story that teaches self-discovery as well as the beauty of understanding the depth of family, culture, and heritage.

Classroom Activity based on new literacies discussed:

1. Visual Arts: Ask students to attempt to work together in small groups to re-write the highlights of this story in short form as a comic, then compare the short version to the original parable the book is based on.

Reference:

Keller, T. (2020b). When you trap a tiger. Random House Books for Young Readers.