The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Character Description

Ponyboy Curtis:  A teenage boy from the wrong side of the tracks making him a member of a gang called the 'Greasers'. The story is told from his point of view. He wonders why life is so much more difficult for him and his friends than it is for their rivals, the Socs. His parents were killed in a car wreck leave he and his older brother, Sodapop, to be raised by their oldest brother, Darry.  He knows he is innocent and naive, but he believes it is important to be tough, and to belong.

Sodapop Curtis: A greaser. Ponyboy and Darry's brother; very likable, handsome, kind, fun-loving, understanding, has a short attention span and tons of energy.

Sandy: A greaser. Sodapop's girlfriend.

Darry Curtis: A greaser. Overworked and overserious. He desperately wants Ponyboy to have the opportunities he didn't. Even though it seems me bullies Ponyboy, he loves both his brothers.

Johnny Cade: A greaser. Johnny is the baby of the gang even though he isn't the youngest. His parents abuse him, and the gang always wants to take care of him. No one can get mad at him, not even Dally. He is one of Pony's closest friends.

Dallas ('Dally') Winston: A greaser. Tough, angry and edgy, Dallas is the most dangerous member of the gang. Though he cares about Johnny, he believes it is important to be tough and mean so that you won't get hurt.

Two-Bit Mathews: A greaser; loves to tell jokes. Pony likes him because he is both funny and realistic. He can take a simple fact and see the funny side of it.

Cherry Valance: A Soc. Bob's girlfriend. She and Pony have a lot in common - they are both smart and like poetry and sunsets; neither likes fights. They cannot truly be friends because they are from different social classes.

Marcia: A Soc and Cherry's friend.

Bob: A Soc and Cherry's boyfriend. A real bully who loves to beat up greasers.

Randy: A Soc and Bob's friend.

Paul: A Soc who is Darry's age.

Mrs. O'Bryant: Adult who witnesses Johnny's brave attempt to save a group of children from a burning church.

Jerry: Adult who witnesses Johnny's brave attempt to save a group of children from a burning church.

Doctor: Johnny's treating physician after he barely escapes from a burning building.

Nurse: Attends to Johnny in the hospital.

Mr. (Mrs.) Syme: Ponyboy's English teacher who is concerned about Pony's grades.