I never really felt as though The Outsiders shouldn't be taught, not until today. Don't get me wrong, it is a great story and has powerful social class issues throughout, but today's society isn't the same. The divide between class is not as drastic as it was when S.E. Hinton wrote the novel. The Greasers and the Socs had conflict because back in the 1950's and 1960's. You see a lot more integration between social classes and that seems to have been helped by the civil rights movement. I'm sure there are certain situations which still relate to this story in today's society somewhere, but not all over. The other characteristic of the novel that is well outdated is the huge fight which drives Pony Boy away from town. Murder is so prevalent in society today that this type of evasion would be easily detectable. I know there are some people who are going to say this relates to how our lives are affected today, but I disagree. A fight of that magnitude would surely have been broken up very quickly as well. I love The Outsiders, and probably always will, but I don't think I would teach it.
The main theme throughout Ironman would be relationships. This novel has the title of a Matt Christopher book but actually digs way deeper. The struggles the characters go through are plotted throughout the book. There is the relationship between Bo and his football coach/English teacher, Mr. Redmond. That deals with the struggles between people who don't have any liking for each other. It is a relationship built off power. Redmond doesn't want to see Beauregard succeed throughout the book. He even comes to the Yukon Jack hoping to see Bo lose to the CFU students. There is the relationship between Bo and Mr. S. They have a great bond because of Mr. S's past experience, but that is strained when Bo finds out that Mr. S is gay. Bo overcomes Mr. S's sexuality because he realizes through the works of Mr. Nakatani that it shouldn't matter about what Mr. S prefers, just as long as he helps Bo. Mr. Nak, as Bo calls him, helps Bo with his Anger issues and pretty much any issue Bo has. There are many to go through, but let us cut to the chase, Bo and his father, Lucas, have the main relationship in the Novel. Bo and Luke don't get along, they are too much alike, both being very headstrong males. Luke seems to want the best for Bo, but wants him to earn it. Bo has so many issues with his dad that date back to his preteen years. Beauregard missed a Christmas because Luke tried teaching him a lesson about respect and responsibility. Luke, even to the dismay of Mr. Nak, was helping the local Triathalon relay team from the University swim team beat Bo at the Yukon Jack. Bo finds out when Elvis tells him that he was giving the relay team the best road bike for free. These are just a few of the issues Bo had with his dad. This novel, as you can see, deals heavily with positive and negative relationships.
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I agree with you that I found the Outsiders somewhat dated. I think it was particularly so as I was reading Always Running at the same time - one is so realistic and the other is sort of "romantic" like a kids version of gangs. Although The Outsiders is not my favorite book I have seen young kids enjoy it much - perhaps because they liike to connect with an outsider like Ponyboy or a bad guy like Dally or even a cool cute guy like Soda - and we all might know a victim like Johnny. Anyway I think it still works but probably for a middle-school audience unlike the group it was probably originally written for - I read it as a junior or senior in high school. I hope you enjoyed Ironman. I think Ironman is the "new" sports novel whereas Matt Christopher stuff is the "old" version. I think the new ones are no holds barred about big issues in life. I think Crutcher is very respectful to all and leave his young readers with some good points to consider. Arnold
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