S.E. Hinton is an American author best known for her young adult novels. Born on July 22, 1948, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, she gained fame with her debut book, The Outsiders, published in 1967 when she was just 18 years old. The novel explores themes of class conflict and friendship among teenagers, making it a significant work in young adult literature. Hinton's writing often reflects her own experiences growing up in a divided community. In addition to The Outsiders, she has written several other popular novels, including Rumble Fish and Tex. Her work has had a lasting impact on the genre and continues to resonate with readers today.