Tex (novel)

"Tex" is a novel by S. E. Hinton, published in 1979. It was adapted to the film in 1982, which starred Matt Dillon. The book (like "Rumble Fish" and "That Was Then, This Is Now") takes place in the same universe as Hinton's first book "The Outsiders", but in a rural town called Garyville, Oklahoma, a fictional suburb of Tulsa, alt

At the beginning of the novel, Tex rides his favorite horse Negrito and enjoys the outdoors, one morning just before school starts. Later that night, after coming home from school, Tex discovers that his horses have been sold by his older brother Mason, due to their financial problems. Tex then goes into a rage, and in the subsequent fight, Mason beats him badly and gives him a scar. Later, Tex develops crush on his best friend's sister Jamie, and discovers that his brother's former best friend, Lem Peters, has been selling drugs in order to make a living. Later, he and Mason are briefly held hostage by the now much older Mark, a central character from the book "That was Then, This is Now".

**Spoiler Warning**

The hostage situation makes the news. Pop sees the news story and returns home. He attempts to buy Tex's horse back but is unable to. Soon after, Tex and Johnny pull a prank in school which lands them in the principal's office. When Mason and Pop come to discuss the act with the school authorities, Mason explodes over Pop's casual attitude to Tex's antics and reveals that Tex is an illegitimate child, who was born while Pop was in prison. Crushed, Tex runs away.

He ends up in the company of Lem Peters, who takes him along on a drug deal that goes bad, resulting in Tex getting shot. Lem abandons him and Tex calls Jamie for help but gets her father, who sends an ambulance.

While Tex recovers, he makes his peace with Pop and Mason. He and Jamie submit a college application for Mason, who is accepted. Eventually, Tex goes to work at the Kincaid Quarter Horse ranch, surrounded by the animals he loves.