That Was Then, This is Now by S. E. Hinton
In That was Then, This is Now by S.E. Hinton, Bryon and Mark are best friends. When they were nine, Mark’s parents got into a drunken argument and shot each other. Since then, Mark and Bryon have been as close as brothers. Now sixteen, they seem to be growing apart. Mark has been going out more lately and making a lot of money when he is out. Bryon has been spending more time with his girlfriend, Cathy. Bryon starts to notice they’re growing apart, but can’t figure out why. He thinks it could be Mark’s jealousy of Cathy spending more time with Bryon, or whatever it is that is sending Mark home with loads of money. Also, he is sick of street fighting, while Mark can’t seem to get enough of it. Their friendship is tested throughout the book and the result left Bryon with the most difficult decision of his life.
I enjoyed this book because it was full of action, yet not too much action. It teaches you a lesson about who you should trust, and that you don’t know how much some people mean to you until they’re gone. I recommend this book to people who like to read S.E. Hinton books or books of that nature (teenagers in the late 50’s).
Jacob M.
Mrs. Poulton
7th Grade
