What is alike in the way Ackley and Holden act? Does this make Holden a phony?

Holden never tells us if he likes Ackley. It's difficult to say if Holden likes anything or anybody besides his sister. Both Holden and Ackley are outsiders though so that is what draws them together.Holden finds in Ackley a sense of the isolation he feels, another kid not wanted by his parents. They both hold a lot of hostility which makes them kindred spirits. I think, rather than making Holden phoney, Ackley validates Holden's perspective on life and the hypocrisy of "normal" people.