Here’s an easy way to begin discussing the provocative issues of teenage violence and gangs. S.E. Hinton packs this story of a fourteen year old who idolizes his big brother-the toughest streetfighter in the city-with powerful images and poignant insights.

Young adults almost always recognize part of themselves in Travis, the main character in this gritty story of a tough city teenager who is sent to live on his uncle’s country ranch. Part insecure adolescent, part sensitive intellectual, and part hard-edged hell-raiser, Travis is guaranteed to begin thought-provoking discussions on substance abuse, violence, and what it means to be a teenager.

At 15, Tex is spirited as a wild mustang and good-natured as a pup. He and his 17-year-old brother Mason have been on their own since Pop left for the summer rodeo tour. Come October, the money has run out and still no Pop. None of this bothers Tex much-until Mason sells Tex’s horse to pay the bills. After that things turn sour between the brothers. Tex is constantly getting into trouble, but he resents Mace acting like a parent. Friends like Johnny and his gorgeous sister Jamie help Tex forget his problems. But when it all comes to a head one day, the explosion that follows may cost Tex his life. S.E. Hinton is loved by teenagers everywhere for her ability to get inside their heads and realistically portray their problems. Like her best-selling novels The Outsiders and Rumble Fish, Tex addresses important YA topics like drugs and teenaged parenthood. Jeff Woodman’s expressive narration brings the charming Tex and his moving story vividly to life.

“It had been a real weird winter. Last fall Mark and me had thought just alike, as one person; now we couldn’t even talk.” Bryon and Mark aren’t related, but they are as close as brothers. Ever since his parents died when he was nine, Mark has lived with Bryon and his mother. Now at 16 they like to reminisce about old times-the fights and pranks at school, smoking and swearing-junk they got into when they were younger. But lately things have been different. Bryon starts spending a lot of time with Cathy, and she makes him feel there are some things worth working for. He grows bored with all the fighting, the dead-end choices of life on the streets. And as Bryon’s life takes one direction, Mark’s life takes another. When Bryon discovers that Mark is pushing drugs, he faces a choice that could ruin their friendship. S.E. Hinton is the author of The Outsiders, a book she wrote when she was 16. That Was Then, This Is Now is a coming-of-age story set in the 1960s.