Tulsa Author S.E. Hinton, Rob Lowe Appear On CBS This Morning

Tulsa author SE Hinton was interviewed on CBS This Morning Sunday, April 23. Hinton is the author of "The Outsiders," a teen classic that turns 50 this year.

Hinton started writing the book, which is set in Tulsa, when she was 15. It's sold more than 10 million copies and been translated into dozens of languages. The novel is also studied in schools across the country and is a favorite among young adults.  

Hinton said she thought one of the reasons the book resonates so strongly with teens is that they are feeling the same emotions she did as she wrote it. As an adult, the author said, they seem over the top.

"I would never have the nerve to write that unselfconsciously again," she said.

3/17/2017 Related Story: Rob Lowe Returns To 'The Outsiders' Home For 50th Anniversary

Serena Altschul spoke with Hinton about the book which deals with tensions between two groups of teenagers, the popular and privileged Socs and the alienated Greasers from the poorer side of town. The 1983 film version of the book, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, starred Matt Dillon, Emilio Estevez, Tom Cruise and Patrick Swayze, among others.

Actor Rob Lowe will also appeared on the show. He said he wouldn't be an actor today if he hadn't been cast as Sodapop Curtis. It was the last audition he planned to go on before giving up on an acting career.

"That was the last train leaving the station," he said. "For me."

If you missed the interview, watch it here.

There will be a 50th Year Celebration and Fundraiser at the Cain's Ballroom May 6. The event will raise money for the effort to restore the home where the Curtis Brothers lived in movie.

Cain's Ballroom: The Outsiders 50th Year Celebration And Fundraiser