"The Outsiders" is a novel written by S.E. Hinton, first published in 1967. It's a coming-of-age story set in the 1960s in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and follows the struggles of Ponyboy Curtis, a member of a group of young men called the Greasers, who are constantly at odds with the wealthier Socs (short for Socials). The novel explores themes of friendship, loyalty, identity, and socioeconomic tensions. It's widely regarded as a classic of young adult literature and has been adapted into a successful film and stage play.