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The Wave by Todd Strasser
Todd Strasser published his young adult novel The Wave in 1981 under the pen name Morton Rhue. The story is based on a real-life experiment that took place at a California high school in 1967. To demonstrate how Nazism took root in post-WWI Germany, charismatic history teacher Mr. Ross begins a simple classroom exercise that grows into an out-of-control, cult-like movement. Like “On the Bridge,” the novel warns readers to think for themselves and do the right thing, even if it isn’t “cool.”
The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton
S. E. Hinton began writing The Outsiders as a high-school student. She published it in 1967, when she was only 18 years old. This coming-of-age novel follows two weeks in the life of 14-year-old Ponyboy Curtis in the 1960s. Ponyboy belongs to the Greasers, a poor and working-class youth gang, whose rivals are the upper-class Socs. Hinton uses the two gangs’ conflict to explore social and class tensions as well as teenage rebellion, friendship, and the desire to belong. Adam and Seth in “On the Bridge” seem to emulate the Greasers, but they likely would not survive long in Ponyboy’s gritty circumstances.
“Marigolds” by Eugenia Collier
Published in 1969, Eugenia Collier’s short story “Marigolds” presents a unique perspective on growing up. As an adult, Lizabeth looks back on a pivotal moment from her childhood, growing up Black and poor in rural Maryland during the Great Depression. Fourteen-year-old Lizabeth becomes confused and angry when she hears her father crying at night because he cannot provide for his family. She vents her frustrations by destroying her elderly neighbor Miss Lotte’s beloved marigolds. In her shame, Lizabeth pivots from being a sheltered child to a compassionate young adult. Both Lizabeth and Seth in “On the Bridge” struggle because of societal expectations—Lizabeth indirectly, Seth directly.
