That Was Then, This Is Now is an unpleasurable story to read for great reasons. This book is very encouraging and forces you to think, 'What If?' Once finished reading, I threw the book against my wall because how emotional and connected you get with the characters.

'That Was Then, This Is Now' is a story about the road to adulthood with two boys named Mark and Bryon. The two are like brothers, as they face major difficulties along their life. Only into their first years of high school, Mark and Bryon have already knife-fought, been shot at, chased girls, been in gangs, drank, smoked, did drugs. This book leads you through the times of great friendship to hating each other forever.


I encourage anyone capable of grasping adult situations to read this book. It will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you think about the real things in life.


I believe S.E. Hinton has done a great job on making you think, realize, and see who you are now and who can be.


A must read.