Francis Ford Coppola movie, with a starry-to-be cast.

I was surprised to learn that S.E. was a gurl. But this was when I was about 18 so I wasn't thinking about such things.

The damn thing is famous as the first modern YA. Nothing I've ever heard about it makes me want to read it. And this year, I have to.

The context is this question which suggested that it is the second bestselling YA novel ever. I'd never heard it. Looking at the responses so far there seems to be a national and generational divide.

Stay gold, Ponyboy!

Dammit, I only clicked on the comment link to say that, and you've beaten me to it!

Note to Martin: you forgot question three - Have you seen The Outsiders, as directed by Francis Ford Coppola.

When I was in secondary school, it was one of the films our English teacher showed us. So I thought everyone had heard of it.

drasecretcampus's comment was the first I'd heard of the film.

I had to study it at school and haven't read it since.

I was a huge fan back when I was 14 or so. I preferred The Motorcycle Boy (Kid? And was that a book, or just a character?) and Rumblefish to this. "Camus for Kids" was the flip descriptor, way back then.