Product Description

As popular today as they were when first published more than thirty years ago, The Outsiders and That Was Then, This Is Now are finally available in one handy edition!

Both titles incorporate universal themes of loyalty, independence, and alienation in a realistic voice that speaks directly to young adult readers. The Outsiders: Growing up in a rough city surrounded by violence, Ponyboy and his friends learn what it means to defend your turf and to stand up for each other. That Was Then, This Is Now: Mark and Bryon are practically brothers-they have no family to speak of-but they eventually come to a point in their lives where they have difficult choices to make; choices that might separate them forever.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1178919 in Books
• Published on: 2001-05-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 352 pages

Amazon.com Review
More than 30 years after they were published, S.E. Hinton's award-winning novels, The Outsiders and That Was Then, This Is Now, are as profoundly affecting as ever. With generation after generation growing up amid violence and angst, these classics continue to be relevant in their exploration of some of the harsh realities of youth. Now brought together in one handsome volume, the two titles are available for the many fans who finish one of Hinton's novels already champing at the bit for the next one.

In The Outsiders, Ponyboy Curtis and his brothers struggle to stay together after losing both parents. The road is uphill, especially for Greasers like them, kids from the wrong side of the tracks--at least according to the Socs, or Socials, jet-setting rich kids from the west side of town. Ponyboy finds himself in big trouble when his friend Johnny kills a Soc in self-defense, but it's nothing like the trouble they're heading for when they run away. That Was Then, This Is Now addresses more kids on the outskirts of society. Bryon and Mark--buddies, almost brothers--are from the same neighborhood as Ponyboy and his gang. While the war between Greasers and Socs has subsided somewhat, drugs have entered their world with a vengeance, and the closeness between Bryon and Mark is in the balance. Both novels are heartbreaking, touching, and brutal; neither should be missed. (Ages 12 and older) --Emilie Coulter

Customer Reviews

That Was The This is Now
Being tough guy and all is easy especially when you have friend beside you. but what happens that tough guy you used to be all changed and that friend beside wasn't really your friend it was your enemy. And both worlds changed.

Life, Death, Gangs, Drugs and Loyalty
Hinton gives an excellent viewpoint from inside the life of high school, juvenile delinquents, the "Greasers", that feud with the popular kids, the "Socs". The characters in "The Outsiders" carry over their problems into "That Was Then, This Is Now." Set in the 1960's, both novels deal with life issues such as drugs, peer pressure, gangs, etc., which someone of any age can relate to. These are the type of books that a reader doesn't want to end. If reading the books aren't enough, both have been made into excellent motion pictures. The best feature of both of these novels is to know that the author, S.E. Hinton, is a WOMAN!

2 classics made into an outstanding collection
This is a collection of two books by S.E. Hinton; THE OUTSIDERS and THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW.
THE OUTSIDERS is about rivalry between the greasers and the Socs in 1960's Tulsa, Oklahoma. Ponyboy Curtis, a 14-year-old greaser, is one of the many kids caught up in this mess. Luckily, he has his fellow orphan brothers, Sodapop and Darrel, plus his gang of almost-brothers, to help him out. One night, though, Johnny Cade, another greaser, kills a Soc to save Ponyboy, which causes them to run to Dallas Winston for advice. Johnny and Ponyboy go to hide out, which turns into a chain of events leading to tragedy.
THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW is about two teenage boys, Bryon and Mark. Mark is an orphan, and he was adopted by Bryon's family after his parents died. The two boys were like brothers before that, though. But things are changing between them. They both feel it, but they don't know exactly what's going on. Bryon is trying to move on, and grow up, by becoming more serious about some things, like his girlfriend Cathy. Mark still just lives for the thrill of things, and seems to be trying not to grow up. Then one night, Bryon comes to a horrible realization about Mark, which throws at him a decision that could change their friendship forever.

THE OUTSIDERS is easily one of the best books I've ever read. If you don't buy this collection to read both, at LEAST read THE OUTSIDERS. You won't forget this vivid and amazing story.
THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW was not as good. The plot was less unique, and the characters were less developed. Still good, but it takes a backseat to THE OUTSIDERS.

This overall is an amazing collection by an amazing author, so if I had to describe, I'd say it was--amazing. This is a terrific buy.