Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
I loved this movie when I was younger, and after reading the book, I can see why the creators were inspired to make a movie after reading this. Though the text is short and not as emotive as the film, it contains so many things that feel...quintessentially American? But not in a white supremacy way, even if the story could be interpreted as American Dream propaganda. Homer Hickam's story is optimistic and has a happy ending, yet it feels real (as it should, because it is a true story) because it is balanced by realistic problems that are still resonant today: parents' dreams that their children will have a "better" life; dangerous jobs that keep the country going by sacrificing "lesser" humans' bodies and lives; adult figures who can make all the difference in a child's life; the hope and wonder of science; and community coming together.
Find this review, and more, at The Daily Bookmark! Click the image above.
Rocket Boys, or more commonly known as October Sky, is a memoir of amazing proportions. It's unassuming and simple prose was absolutely captivating and I chastise myself for letting it sit on my shelf unread for so long. I had a hang-up or two with the narrative, but beyond those hiccup-like details, it was a really great read.
Homer "Sonny" Hickam, Jr. grew up in Coalwood, West Virginia in the 1950s when the space race with Russia was just beginning and the industrial age of the United States was coming to a close. Rocket Boys chronicles Sonny's teenage years in this mining town on the brink of collapse, as was the case across the country in small towns. Sonny became obsessed with rockets when the word came that Russia had launched Sputnik I into space and he, along with his closest friends, set out to join the space race. In small town America, their imaginations were allowed to take flight and Rocket Boys effectively and assuredly tells their story.
Hickam's prose is something to be reckoned with. It is truly stunning to see his memory come back to life on the pages, to bring Coalwood to life. Having never been there myself (that I know of), I feel like I could navigate and take people on a guided tour of the now-flooded-in mine. Hickam's recollection of his life in the '50s was completely remarkable and he told the story in a way that didn't sound like a dry memoir, but a fascinating real-infused story.
One of my favorite aspects of this story was the duality of everything that happened. While Coalwood was slowly inching closer to its ultimate demise, the rocket boys' imaginations flourished and their innovation advanced. It definitely drove home the point that when one door closes, another opens, even if they aren't directly related.
Another important point tantamount to the story was the idea that no matter where you go, you're always from somewhere. Throughout the novel, Hickam expressed his love for this small town. It wasn't direct in explanation but subtle, and nonetheless more poignant. I have lived in so many places in my 20-something years but I relate to this sentiment wholeheartedly.
Hickam, while brilliant in his story-telling, fell a little short in expressing the age of his younger self. I found myself having to actively remember that he was meant to be a 15- to 17-year-old boy, rather than ten. The voice seemed a little young at times and that took away from the narrative. I also felt the ending was a little rushed. Hickam does an excellent job of explaining a few short months of his life with steady but relevant pacing. All of the sudden, it felt like we were reaching a page quota and several years of his life was crammed into a few short paragraphs. I understand this is sometimes the way with memoirs but I still had a whiplash sensation by the last couple pages.
All around, I really, really enjoyed this story. I found it completely relevant to today and an ultimately important coming of age story. I think this belongs in the classrooms and I think readers of all ages and preference will enjoy it.
Bonus points of note:
There are eight pages of pictures from Coalwood and Sonny's life.
Rocket Boys is an anagram of October Sky - flipping genius.
Homer H. Hickam went on to attend Virginia Tech, my own alma mater. There, he designed Skipper, the cannon shot off at football games when we score a touchdown (though we fire Skipper II after retiring the first to the VT Corps of Cadet museum).
4.5 / 5 stars
I can't believe that it took me 21 years to find out about this book (no, I haven't seen the movie October Sky either). Homer Hickam's autobiography about his youth in a West Virginia coal mining town as he and his friends built rockets that soared miles above the countryside is a wonderful tale.
This book was amazing. It made me laugh, it made me angry, it made me cry..a lot. Even though I wouldn't have read it on my own I am so happy my teacher made us!
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
A memoir about a high school boy's rocket building club does not sound like the most relatable or interesting book but I immensely enjoyed Rocket Boys. It is so much more that an engineer looking back on what led him to his current career, it is a time piece exploring the rise and fall of mining towns in West Virginia during the 1950s. This personal depiction of the time period matched with a family who all have very different views of the world they live in and beyond makes for a real page turner.
I feel like a bad native West Virginian because I never read this! I always followed and learned about Homer Hickam’s life and of course saw October Sky, but never read this book. I’m doing a unit on Appalachian stories and memoirs for my students this school year and had them choose from a list of books. The 2nd book to the Coalwood series (loosely connected) is on the list and I wanted to read this first!
I am so glad I did. Lots of timeless wisdom from Hickman and really helps me connect to West Virginia and her beautiful backdrop of mountains. I, much like a young Homer, feel close to the West Virginia mountains and call it my home for many reasons. Though it is tough at times, I can’t leave it! His memoir helped me find out why.
I am so glad I did. Lots of timeless wisdom from Hickman and really helps me connect to West Virginia and her beautiful backdrop of mountains. I, much like a young Homer, feel close to the West Virginia mountains and call it my home for many reasons. Though it is tough at times, I can’t leave it! His memoir helped me find out why.
Great coming of age memoir about rocket building in the mid 50s. I haven’t seen the movie, but I want to now.
This book is awesome.
The second time reading this book was about as good as the first.
2010 Fall challenge category: nonfiction
The second time reading this book was about as good as the first.
2010 Fall challenge category: nonfiction
My mom had me watch the movie as a kid when it came out.
I grew up, then read the book.
I love this book. It is always the first book I recommend to others.
Never have I been so influenced by such a positive story.
Granted, this tale is no cakewalk. Still, it shows such a passion. Not the fleeting kind, but the grueling kind. If you look around, there are opportunities everywhere.
Damn. I love this story.
I hope you do too.
I grew up, then read the book.
I love this book. It is always the first book I recommend to others.
Never have I been so influenced by such a positive story.
Granted, this tale is no cakewalk. Still, it shows such a passion. Not the fleeting kind, but the grueling kind. If you look around, there are opportunities everywhere.
Damn. I love this story.
I hope you do too.