Why Was The Outsiders Banned?

The Outsiders was banned because of its violence and profanity, which were considered inappropriate for young readers. Some felt that the book glorified violence; others felt that it simply depicted the violence realistically. The novel was also considered depressing and too dark for young readers. Some schools banned the book because they felt that it was not appropriate for the age group it was intended for; other schools banned it for similar reasons but also because some parents felt that the book was not appropriate for their children. The book was also challenged in libraries; some parents objected to its use in classrooms or school libraries on the grounds that it was not appropriate for children of any age group. Some countries have banned The Outsiders; it remains banned in some places today. Some states have also banned this novel: some still do so today.” Despite these criticisms, however, The Outsiders has remained popular with both young adult readers and educators; according to Hinton’s Web site, more than seven million copies of the novel have been sold worldwide since its original publication in 1967, making it one of the best-selling young adult books ever written.