The Outsiders: S E Hinton

This is the classic teenage boy book. The story is told by 14 year old Ponyboy Curtis about the life on the "wrong side of the tracks" Ponyboy's friend Johnny accidently kills another boy while trying to rescue Ponyboy from being drowned by the boy. The two of them hid out in a church in the country while they try to figure out what to do. One of the older boys, Dallas, comes up to the church and takes them to get a meal, when they come back the church is on fire. A group has been picnicking at the church and there are children stuck in the burning building. Without thinking about it, both Johnny and Ponyboy run into the burning building to get the children. A beam falls and pins Johnny, Dallas goes into the building to get Johnny out. Johnny later dies from his injuries, Dallas can't live with the lost and commits "suicide by police". Ponyboy tries processing the loss and becomes grateful for his brothers who take care of him.