The Outsiders Guide

She thought about Ponyboy, who lost his parents but refused to lose his dreams. She thought about Dally Winston, the toughest greaser of all, who shattered completely when Johnny died—because Johnny was the last thing he loved. She thought about Cherry Valance, a Soc girl who admitted, “Things are rough all over.”

Then came the Socs—the rich kids from the West Side. The ones who jumped greasers for fun. The Outsiders

But then she reached the chapter in the abandoned church. The fire. The rescue. Johnny Cade, the terrified, bruised boy who was afraid of his own shadow, running into a burning building to save children. And later, lying in a hospital bed, Johnny whispered his last words: “Stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold.” She thought about Ponyboy, who lost his parents

And then she connected it to her own life—how she and her brother argued like Darry and Ponyboy, until one day she realized his “nagging” was just another word for trying to hold us together . The ones who jumped greasers for fun

“Nothing happens,” she whispered to her friend Leo. “It’s just boys fighting and watching sunsets.”