That Was Then, This Is Now

AN ALA NOTABLE BOOK • Another gripping novel of two friends in a world out of control from the internationally bestselling author of The Outsiders.

"A mature, disciplined novel which excites a response in the reader . . . Hard to forget."—The New York Times

“S. E. Hinton gave a realistic portrayal of teenage slum life in The Outsiders. [That Was Then, This Is Now] is equally remarkable—it is brutal, harsh, yet always incredible.”—Publishers Weekly

From the time they were children, Mark and Bryon had been as close as brothers. Now, at sixteen, they were still inseparable, but things were changing. Byron was spending more time with girls, while Mark was still just seeing how much he could get away with—like the set-up pool games in Charlie’s Bar. Nothing serious could happen to them—they were just kids after all. Then Charlie got shot—dead—trying to protect them from an ugly little set-to behind the bar.

Mark called it fate, but it bothered Byron. Why, as soon as anyone did anything because he cared for them, did it lead to trouble? Still close to Mark, and falling in love with Cathy, Byron didn’t want any more trouble in his life. Then tragedy struck, and Byron knew who was responsible. He had to make a terrible decision—a decision that would change his life and Mark’s forever.

In this compelling follow-up of her groundbreaking novel The Outsiders, S. E. Hinton again proves her ability to capture the hopes, desires, and frustrations of a generation. Full of gritty realism and a compassionate understanding, That Was Then, This Is Now is a captivating portrait of young people struggling to find their place in a changing world.