Reviews

October Sky by Homer Hickam

j_rowley's review against another edition

4.0

Definitely for the teen. Told the story of boy, Homer "Sonny" Hickam, who becomes enamored with rockets after the Russians send one up into space. He decides he's going to figure it all out. Really seemed like a good portrayal of the time. Characters are real. He was really able to flesh out the people.

Good story for teens about determination.

scottcurtis10's review against another edition

5.0

As so many others have said in the past, the memoirs of Homer Hickam are enjoyable at different levels. The rocket science here is interesting, but really serves mainly as the narrative driver of this account of coming of age. As someone who grew up on the edges of Appalachia (raised in York, PA and undergraduate college in Pittsburgh, PA) the social environment and personality types that Homer encounters in his hometown of Coalwood and in Big Creek High School were familiar to me. I think this memoir is successful because of Homer's vulnerability, his alternating moods of sympathy and insensitivity, and his frankness at relating the life of an adolescent boy. His issues with his parents and peers are instantly recognizable to today's teens, even if the circumstances of his life are much different than ours. There is a reason why this book has been chosen many times as a "Community Read" book by public libraries; the story of Homer Hickam is a very compelling, American tale.

dmiller1's review against another edition

adventurous informative inspiring medium-paced

3.0

lu2cook's review against another edition

3.0

This book told the story of how a group of boys persevered, built their rockets and united their community.

ay_ay's review against another edition

3.0

75%

kimberly_hoffman_author's review against another edition

5.0

Great coming of age story based on the author's life, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Mr. Hickam did a fantastic job engaging the reader in his life, showing us what it was like growing up in a coal mining town, and going for his dream of sending rockets to the moon at NASA. I remember watching the movie, October Sky, several years ago, so when I saw the book, I definitely wanted to read it. I could visualize the town, Cape Coalwood, the basement where Homer experimented creating rocket fuel. I felt the disappointment at setbacks and the joy over successes. Recommend to anyone who likes an underdog stories or stories based on true events.

alabamawhaler's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful informative tense fast-paced

5.0

nancyhashope's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

dyl_pickle6's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring reflective relaxing slow-paced

4.0

slimikin's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0