Yes, it is. Hinton was just a teenager herself when she wrote it. She witnessed the rivalry between different groups of kids, like the Greasers and the Socs. These real - life observations were turned into the story we know, making it a very relatable account of adolescence.
In most cases, 'Outsiders' is not a true story. It's likely a product of the writer's creativity and fictional concepts to engage the readers or viewers.
Hinton's own encounters with the social hierarchies in school are what make it a true story. She saw how the Greasers were looked down upon by the Socs and the real - life emotions and events became the foundation for the story. For example, the fights, the friendships, and the sense of being an outsider all came from her own observations.