13 Must-Read Books Like 'The Outsiders' For Your Next Coming-of-Age Story Fix

S.E. Hinton's 'The Outsiders' grabbed readers by the throat in 1967 and never let go. The greasers, the Socs, the brutal class divide of 1960s Tulsa — this classic novel stripped away the glossy veneer of teenage life and exposed something raw lurking underneath.

If you've just finished Ponyboy's story, you're probably hunting for books like 'The Outsiders' that deliver that same punch. This list provides 13 books with similar themes of survival, rebellion, and brutal self-discovery. Each one explores what happens when young people face a world that wasn't built for them — and refuse to break.

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Quick answer: What are the best books like 'The Outsiders' to read now?

1. 'Rumble Fish' by S. E. Hinton: More Hinton. More gangs. More raw youth.

2. 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger: The essential story of a troubled young man against the world.

3. 'The Chocolate War' by Robert Cormier: One boy's stand against a corrupt system.

4. 'The Body' by Stephen King: A deep look at friendship and facing harsh reality.

5. 'A Separate Peace' by John Knowles: Friendship, envy, and the dark side of an elite boarding school.

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13 best books like 'The Outsiders' about friendship, rebellion, and survival

1. 'Rumble Fish' by S. E. Hinton

S. E. Hinton brings you back into the world of street gangs and broken homes. The book focuses on Rusty-James, a high school boy obsessed with reliving the glory days of his older brother, the Motorcycle Boy. Rusty-James is a sharp and harsh lad who is constantly chasing trouble he can't handle.

Similarities between the books:

• Written by S. E. Hinton, using the same direct, powerful voice.

• Focuses on the toxic cycle of gang life and poverty.

• Features a charismatic but deeply troubled older brother figure, much like Darry or Dally.

2. 'The Catcher in the Rye' by J.D. Salinger

This classic novel is a definitive exploration of teenage rebellion. Holden Caulfield, the main character, has just been expelled from his prep school. He wanders New York City for a few days, calling everything "phony" and struggling to deal with loss and growing up. It's a powerful, intimate look inside the mind of a confused young man.

Similarities between the books:

• Explores the theme of preserving innocence in a corrupt world.

• Written in a distinct first-person voice that makes the reader feel close to the narrator.

• Features a central character — Holden — who is desperately searching for authenticity and connection.

And if 'The Catcher in the Rye' made you reflect on loneliness, authenticity, and the struggle to connect, check out 'Atlas of the Heart' by Brené Brown. This book offers a healing counterpoint — a compassionate exploration of vulnerability and the emotional language that helps us truly understand ourselves and others.

3. 'The Chocolate War' by Robert Cormier

Set at a Catholic high school, this book is about quiet defiance. Freshman Jerry Renault refuses to sell chocolates during his school's annual fundraiser. What starts as a simple act of rebellion escalates into a brutal confrontation with "The Vigils," the school's secret, powerful bully group. It shows how easy it is for an entire system to turn against one person.

Similarities between the books:

• A young protagonist (Jerry) stands up to a group (The Vigils/Socs) 

• The main character strives for his goal despite great personal cost.

• Deals with themes of social pressure, conformity, and corruption within a small community.

4. 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' by Stephen Chbosky

This coming-of-age story is told through the journal entries of Charlie, a shy, thoughtful freshman. He struggles with mental health issues while trying to navigate the complex world of high school. He finds his way into a life-changing circle of friends, led by stepsiblings Sam and Patrick, who teach him what it means to feel truly alive.

Similarities between the books:

• A sensitive and introspective protagonist attempts to make sense of a complex, often painful world.

• Highlights the saving power of a found family.

• Focuses heavily on difficult mental and emotional struggles during adolescence.

If Charlie's struggle with mental health resonated deeply, 'Reasons to Stay Alive' on Headway offers a lifeline — Matt Haig's raw memoir of battling depression delivers the hope and honesty that Charlie's story only hints at, reminding us that darkness doesn't have to be the end.

5. 'The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian' by Sherman Alexie

Junior, or Arnold Spirit Jr., is a young, aspiring cartoonist on the Spokane Native American Reservation. He decides to leave the poor reservation school to attend an all-white high school 22 miles away. The book blends humor and heartbreak as Arnold straddles two different cultures, dealing with racism, poverty, and loyalty to his family.

Similarities between the books:

• Explores the pain of straddling two worlds — feeling like an outsider in both.

• Shows the deep importance of family and cultural identity.

• Told with a powerful mix of humor and tragedy.

6. 'A Separate Peace' by John Knowles

Set at an all-boys boarding school during World War II, this book centers on the intense, complicated friendship between the serious, intellectual Gene Forrester and his charming, reckless roommate, Phineas ("Finny"). Gene's silent envy of Finny leads to a tragic accident that shatters their "separate peace" from the outside world.

Similarities between the books:

• A core story about intense best friend loyalty and betrayal.

• Deals with the loss of innocence in the face of a looming war and personal tragedy.

• Explores the hidden emotional violence that exists even in privileged settings.

If 'A Separate Peace' left you contemplating the fragility of innocence and the search for purpose amid inner conflict, 'Man’s Search for Meaning' by Viktor E. Frankl takes that reflection to its deepest level. Drawing on his experiences in Nazi concentration camps, Frankl explores how even in unimaginable suffering, humans can find strength and meaning — not in what happens to them, but in how they respond.

7. 'That Was Then, This Is Now' by S. E. Hinton

Another essential must-read from Hinton. Here, Bryon Douglas is the main character, while Ponyboy Curtis from 'The Outsiders' gets a direct feature. Bryon and his adoptive brother Mark have a close relationship, but as they grow older, their views on morality and the law start to split. It's a dark look at how loyalty is tested when friends grow in opposite directions.

Similarities between the books:

• Features a direct character link to 'The Outsiders' (Ponyboy is mentioned).

• A harsh look at how violence and choices define a young person's future.

• Focuses on the shifting dynamic of brotherhood and trust.

8. 'Lord of the Flies' by William Golding

After a plane crash, a group of British schoolboys is stranded on a deserted island. Free from adults, they try to form their own society. What begins as an attempt at civilization quickly devolves into savagery. This novel questions whether humans are good or violent.

Similarities between the books:

• Examines the descent from civilization to brutality without adult supervision.

• Explores the struggle between order (Ralph/Piggy) and primal impulse (Jack/Dally).

• It forces you to confront the choice you'd make in their shoes.

If the survival of children without adult protection shook you, 'Etched in Sand' reveals an even harsher reality — Regina Calcaterra's memoir of five siblings enduring neglect and homelessness proves that sometimes the real savagery isn't on a deserted island, but in the world we call civilized.

9. 'The Body' by Stephen King 

Four twelve-year-old boys in the summer of 1960 set off from their small town of Castle Rock, Maine, to find the rumored dead body of a missing boy. This journey is a pure coming-of-age story about friendship, abuse, and the moment childhood ends. It was the basis for the movie 'Stand By Me.'

Similarities between the books:

• A story about a tight-knit group of friends (a gang of sorts) on a dangerous journey.

• Focuses on similar themes of escaping dysfunctional homes and the bond of brotherhood.

• The journey involves crossing physical boundaries that mirror the psychological boundaries.

10. 'Eleanor & Park' by Rainbow Rowell

Set in Omaha in 1986, this book is a love coming-of-age story about two outsiders. Eleanor is the new girl with chaotic red hair, mismatched clothes, and a difficult home life. Park is the quiet Korean-American boy who bonds with her over comics and mixtapes on the school bus. It is a heartfelt story about first love and the need for a safe escape.

Similarities between the books:

• Deals with the effects of poverty and domestic abuse on a young man and a young woman.

• A powerful exploration of two outsiders finding their place with each other.

• Features a core relationship that serves as a vital sanctuary or refuge from a dangerous outside world.

Another pick, 'The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth' by Alexandra Robbins, expands on these themes in real life, exploring how outsiders and nonconformists often struggle in adolescence but ultimately thrive as adults. Through her “Quirk Theory,” Robbins shows that what sets people apart in high school can become their greatest asset in the real world.

11. 'The Fault in Our Stars' by John Green

This narrative details a powerful coming-of-age story from bestselling author John Green. Sixteen-year-old Hazel Grace Lancaster has cancer. She is forced to attend a support group, where she meets Augustus Waters. The book deals with love, life, and meaning in the face of terminal illness.

Similarities between the books:

• A deeply emotional story where the characters are forced to confront mortality too young.

• Features witty, intense dialogue between two isolated but deeply connected souls.

• The narrative centers on the idea of finding meaning and leaving a "mark" or legacy when facing a cruel fate.

12. 'Chains' by Laurie Halse Anderson

This historical fiction novel is the first in the "Seeds of America" trilogy. Isabel, a thirteen-year-old African American slave in New York during the Revolutionary War, fights for her and her little sister's freedom. Isabel spies on her Loyalist owners for the Patriots, constantly risking her life for liberty.

Similarities between the books:

• A protagonist (Isabel) who is an ultimate outsider fighting a corrupt, powerful system.

• The high-stakes urgency of trying to protect a younger sibling.

• The theme of using knowledge as a tool for survival and seeking a better future in a world that actively denies the protagonist both.

13. 'Monster' by Walter Dean Myers

Walter Dean Myers tells this gripping story through a mix of diary entries and a screenplay by the protagonist, 16-year-old Steve Harmon. Steve is on trial for felony murder after a drugstore robbery goes wrong. He is called a "monster" by the prosecutor, and the book asks whether he is truly a criminal or just an accomplice caught in the wrong place.

Similarities between the books:

• A powerful story about class and racial prejudice in the justice system.

• Focuses on the intense fear and confusion of a young man facing a terrible future.

• Explores the question of identity: are you who the world says you are, or who you know yourself to be?

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We've journeyed through stories where characters like Ponyboy, Bryon, and Rusty-James had to grow up fast. The most powerful lesson in these "then and now" tales is that change is inevitable, but how we handle it determines our future.

Whether you're wrestling with tough life decisions or just looking to evolve your perspective, that same intellectual hunger for deeper meaning can also be satisfied off the page.

For the reader in you who craves the wisdom, self-awareness, and personal growth at the heart of these character journeys — but can't commit to a 400-page novel right now — there's a shortcut to getting smarter, faster.

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