Rocket Boys (The Coalwood Series #1) by Homer Hickam
|
List Price: Our Price: $5.14 You Save: $10.86 (68%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.73 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Rocket Boys (The Coalwood Series #1)
Book Review: The forces that shape identity(Please ignore my other essay)
Summary: 5 Stars
It is said by some that a person shapes their own identity. However it is hard to believe that a person could simply shape his or her own identity without any help whatsoever. With support from the book October Sky, one can believe that the other forces that shape identity are the people you love, the individuals you admire, and the losses you suffer. Homer loved people who shaped his identity. One of them was Elsie Hickam, Homer's mother. Mrs. Hickam gave Homer a nickname that only he was called ("Sonny"). She also encouraged Homer to leave Coalwood and make something more of himself. She told him " You need to do everything you can to get out of here, starting right now."(Pg 51). Another thing Mrs. Hickam did was that she explained to Homer that he was not his father. When anyone would say, "He's just like Homer (Homer's 's father who had the same name)", She would tell Homer "no you're not." (Pg 15).
Another person whom Homer loved that shaped his identity was Homer Hickam, Homer's father. Mr. Hickam took Homer down to the mine showed him how everything worked and shared with him "I love the mine, I love everything about it." (Pg 201). Even though Homer's father taking interest in Homer was what he always wanted, deep down Homer knew, "I want to go work for Dr. von Braun Dad" (Pg 203) This was an inner conflict for Homer because he wanted to please his father and himself. The conflict was only solved when Homer's father took and interest in Homer's rocket building. When the conflict was solved Homer was more apt than ever to build rockets.
Homer admired people who helped shape his identity and Jake Mosby was one of those he admired. Jake, like Mrs. Hickam, encouraged Homer to build rockets. He gave him a trigonometry book and said to him, "Learn this stuff and you can calculate how high your rockets fly." (Pg 161) Jake invited Homer up to his rooftop to gaze at stars through his telescope. It was there that Homer had a revelation "I had a clear visions of my future in space, but the life I led in Coalwood sometimes seemed a blur" (Pg 162) Another person whom Homer admired was Mr. Dubonnet. He helped Homer realize where he came from. Mr. Dubonnet explained to Homer "I guess these old mountains, the mines, the people get in your blood. When I got back from over seas I couldn't wait to get home to McDowell County. It's where I belong"," Anybody raised here belongs here. You can't belong anywhere else."(Pgs 80 & 81) He knew Homer belonged in Coalwood. In spite of that, during their conversations he also encouraged Homer to leave Coalwood "You're to smart too smart to stay here." (Pg 80) Just like Mrs. Hickam, he knew Coalwood was dying and that Homer could still belong there but he needed to find a life elsewhere.
A third person Homer admired who helped shape his identity was Miss Riley his eleventh grade chemistry teacher. When she showed his class what a mixture of potassium chlorate and sugar could do with rapid oxidation, it inspired the BCMA (Homer's rocket club) to use the mixture as rocket fuel. Miss Riley gave Homer a Rocket Book that contained things like "Flow Through Nozzles" and " Momentum Theory Applied to Propulsion". "
Dr. Wernher von Braun, who Homer admired more than anyone else, helped Homer find his identity. After he heard about Homer's work on rockets from his mother, he sent Homer an encouraging letter. Dr. von Braun was judging rockets at the national science fair. When he looked at Homer's rocket design "He said it was a marvelous design and wished he could meet the boy who built it."(Pg 404) It was his words that kept Homer motivated to finally become a NASA engineer at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama in 1981. (This is shown in the epilogue.)
Homer suffered losses that helped shape his identity. Mr. Bykovski died in a tragic mining accident. Even though he wasn't supposed to Homer went down to the mine to see the damage. When he was caught by his mother he said" I was worried about dad."(Pg 287) However she snapped, "No you weren't. You don't worry about anybody but yourself. That's the way you've always been- selfish!"(Pg 287) Then she slapped him across the face and left him sitting there. Then as he saw the ambulance carrying Mr. Bykovski's body away he thought "Please, God have mercy, make it stop hurting. My prayer caught in my throat. Mr. Bykovski's body was in that ambulance, and my prayer had been for myself. Mom was right. I had always been selfish." (p. 288) This recognition was part of his identity. It meant he knew what he had been and that he could change.
Another loss Homer Suffered that shaped his identity was the death of his favorite cat Daisy Mae. Daisy Mae was run over by one of the Coalwood delinquents who didn't like Homer's father or Homer's passion for rockets. As Homer sat by her grave a few nights after her death and the sun began to set he suddenly proclaimed, " I also knew now whom I was and what I was going to do." (Pg 383) Homer had finally connected the dots after all that had happened. This confirmed what the reader had already started to believe. The result of death can be recognition of who you already were and what you can be.
One can conclude, upon reading October Sky, that the people you love, the individuals you admire, the losses you suffer and you shape your identity. This book is a worthwhile read because it shows all of the successes and failures that a teenager can go through. This book is a timeless classic that shows all individuals that they can reach their dreams.
Book Review: What Forces Shape Identity?
Summary: 5 Stars
In novels and in real life, many forces shape the identity of people. The true story, October Sky, by Homer Hickam Jr. describes a young boy's pursuit of his dreams. He dreams about building rockets and working for NASA. He starts out building small rockets with his friends and ends up launching a rocket five and one half miles high. He achieves his dreams by going to work for NASA in his old age. Throughout his life he discovers his true identity, who he is and what he is meant to be. In Homer's case his identity was shaped by the people he was around as a kid. Ironically Homer's identity was shaped mostly by the person who most readers would think to be the least like Homer, his father. If you look closely at their traits, Homer and his dad are very similar. Since he grew up with his father, he took on some of his traits. In addition to his father, Homer was shaped by his friend and a teacher.The first trait of Homer's identity is that he is committed and devoted. He stuck with his rockets in hardship and in glory. He researched the best propellants and learned the math needed to fly rockets. When he did not make it into a calculus class because of his grades, he taught himself. Homer's father was also very devoted and committed. When there was a pillar explosion inside the mine and a shaft collapsed, he ran in to help the trapped miners. Mrs. Hickam said, "Let the rescue squad do it." Mr. Hickam replied, "I have to go." After he saved many people, one mine superintendent said, "His courage should be an inspiration to us all." Mr. Hickam stuck with every project he started in the mine. He worked often and Homer saw very little of him. One day an x-ray showed a dime-sized spot signifying the start of black lung disease. Mrs. Hickam asked, "What are you going to do?" He replied, "I'm not going to do anything." He was so devoted to his job he went back to the mine. Another person who shaped Homer's devotion was Mrs. Bykovski. Her husband had died in the mine, and Homer was very sad. He stopped building rockets and gave up. He went to see Mrs. Bykovski to apologize, and she encouraged him. As he left she said, "Keep firing off those rockets!" From that point on, Homer never gave up in despair again. These events that helped shape Homer's devotion are stories being retold in his autobiography. Some of these stories include conflicts. The author uses the literary elements of storytelling and conflict/resolution to convey these forces that shaped Homer's identity.
Another trait of Homer's is that he is very hardheaded. For example, at one point Homer wants to use a new zinc dust and sulfur propellant. Billy says, "But rocket candy's doing great." Then O'Dell says, "I don't think we ought to change." Homer finishes with "Zinc dust and sulfur, that's next. If you don't like it, quit." He probably got his hardheadedness from his father. An example of this is when Mrs. Hickam wanted to move. There was a coal mine strike in Coalwood. No matter how hard Mrs. Hickam pushed for him to give up his job, and move to a new life, Mr. Hickam stayed right where he was. Mr. Hickam was hardheaded when there was the pillar explosion in the mine. Mrs. Hickam told him not to go down into the mine, but he was very hardheaded and went down anyway. She was talking to Homer and said, "I told him not to go down." Hardheadedness is demonstrated by unwillingness to compromise during a conflict. The author conveys the forces that shape Homer's hardheadedness by using the literary element of conflict/resolution.
The last element of Homer's identity that was shaped by other people is caring and kindness. For example, when he was little, he found a stray cat, cared for the cat and begged his mom to keep it. He took care of the cat and named her Daisy Mae. When his teacher, Miss Riley, was in the hospital, Homer went to cheer her up and tell her that they had won the National Science Fair. He even gave her his gold medal. One person who influenced Homer's caring for others was his father. One night, he said to Homer, "Good night little man." One day Homer and the rocket team needed concrete to build a launch pad. After some hesitation Mr. Hickam said, "I had a junior engineer make the estimate on a walkway up at fan number three, and I heard there was some cement left over...you can have it if you want." When Mr. Hickam brought Homer into the mine to teach him about engineering, he said to him, "You're my boy." This signifies that he cared for Homer and was kind to him. The last person who helped shape the caring and kindness in Homer was Miss Riley. She was kind and encouraging to Homer and the rocket club. She gave Homer a rocket book about the principles of guided missiles. She also helped the boys through the science fairs all the way up to the National Science Fair. Since all of these encounters with Mr. Hickam and Miss Riley were stories, the author uses storytelling to convey the forces that shaped the kindness and caring in Homer.
People's identities are shaped by the people around them. In Homer's case, his devotion, hardheadedness, caring, and kindness are shaped by people like Mrs. Bykovski, Miss Riley, and contrary to many readers' belief, his father. The author conveys these identity shaping forces by using the literary elements of storytelling and conflict/resolution. Everyone should consider reading October Sky, especially if they like heartwarming stories of kids achieving their dreams, or if they like space and rockets. This is an autobiography that should be read by all.
Book Review: October Sky Review
Summary: 5 Stars
October Sky, also called Rocket Boys, by Homer H. Hickham Jr., tells the true story of Homer's life in a mining town in West Virginia. This book was excellent, one that you can't put down!
Homer, nicknamed Sonny, lived with his mother, brother, and father. His mother, Elsie, was always encouraging Sonny in being who he wanted. When Sonny first started with his rockets, Elsie would always say, "Just don't blow yourself up." Elsie and Homer Sr., Sonny's father, were never in agreement. Else hated that Homer was always working and that Homer didn't like the idea of Sonny getting into rockets.
Homer Sr. worked in the mine, which is what kept the town running, like most towns back then. Homer was at a high position at the mine, and always had to be the hero. He got himself in every situation, and would always be there to save people during an accident at the mine, even if his life was in danger. When Sonny started to get into rockets and build them, Homer was not pleased. He tried to make him stop by showing him the mine to persuade him to be a mining engineer, but that was the last thing that Sonny wanted.
Sonny's older brother, Jim, was a popular football player in school, and Homer Sr. was proud of him and helped him to get a scholarship to college. When they suspended the football season at the high school Jim's senior year, not only was he upset, so was Homer. Homer joined with other football fathers to protest against the suspension.
Jim was always one to be able to get any girl he wanted. He always had a girl with him. Sonny, on the other hand, never had a girl, although he always had a big crush on Dorothy Plunk all throughout high school. Although Dorothy and he were good friends, she never wanted more, and he was too scared to ask.
Sonny got started to get into rockets around the time the Russians shot off the first satellite on October 5, 1957. As the U. S. scurried to try to catch up with the Russian Achievement, Sonny also was building rockets. He got his friends, Roy Lee, Sherman, and O'Dell to help him. His first rocket consisted of a plastic, empty flashlight, cherry bomb powder, and plastic airplane model, and a match. This attempt not only blew the rocket up, but Elise's picket fence. This also scared the neighbors, who thought the mine blew up. After this attempt, they decided to go talk to the science nerd of the school, Quentin, to ask him to help, since he was big into science. Quentin helped them to get black powder, which they bought, at the "Big Store". All tried with that blew up.
Quentin and Sonny decided to learn Trig and Calculus to help know where their rockets landed and how high they flew.
During this time, the U.S. launched Explorer I with success on Jan. 31, 1958. All the boys were very excited and impressed.
Their chemistry teacher, Miss Riely, also helped them along with their rockets. She gave them some good ideas to use to ignite the rockets. She also found them a book on how to build rockets, all the nozzle shapes and body weights. Most importantly, though, she gave them encouragement to never stop reaching for their dream.
In the beginning of their rocket building, the town didn't like it and teased them, although some people did encourage them. Later on, though, when the boys found a place away from the town, more people appreciated it, and more and more people came to watch them shoot off their rockets.
In the spring of their senior year, they decided to put their rockets in the science fair. Miss Riely helped them to get prepared and they ended up winning. This meant that they were on their way to regionals. At regionals, not only did Sonny win first, but also he got awarded for "Outstanding in the field of propulsion." They were finally on to Nationals. If they won this, they got scholarships for college, meaning they get out of their town. Although only Sonny could go to nationals, because of the travel costs, he won the gold. The whole town was so proud of them for what they accomplished and the boys became the most popular boys in school, at least with the girls.
It was around this time that they found out that Miss Riely, the chemistry teacher, had cancer. Sonny went to see her in the hospital and gave her the gold medal. She was so proud.
The end of the school year had come and they graduated, all going to college. They shot off one last rocket that summer, before they went their separate ways. Hundred of people were there proudly watching, including Miss Riely, and Homer Sr., who actually helped to launch it.
Through the rest of their lives, Sonny was the only one that made it to NASA to fulfill his dream. Most of the others were engineers.
This book was excellent and well worth the time of reading!
Book Review: An Incredible Journey
Summary: 5 Stars
Before their rockets had even brought them an ounce of glory, the Rocket Boys - just a few regular kids from remote Coalwood, West Virginia in the late 1950's - did not know where life would take them. Their only hope was that they would never be stuck in their fading mining town that was dying and taking the dreams of those who lived there with it. At first, like most other people living in Coalwood, the Rocket Boys assumed they would stay in town their entire lives; they would work for the mine and grow old in the same place they grew up. Through the auspices of their newly-formed Big Creek Missile Agency, this inevitably gave Homer, Quentin, Roy Lee, O'Dell, Sherman and Billy the power to dream beyond earth's atmosphere and to shoot for the stars. "Well, don't blow yourself up" (41) was the first piece of advice Homer "Sonny" Hickam, Jr. received from his mother at the start of his rocket adventures. With the legendary NASA rocket scientist, Dr. Werner von Braun, as an idol, Sonny and the other members of the BCMA would challenge themselves as high school students to one day become part of the Cape Canaveral team. After the Soviet satellite, Sputnik was launched by the Russians in October, 1957, Sonny, Roy Lee, O'Dell, Sherman, Quentin and Billy strived to endeavor into a world of mathematics and physics, putting all their effort into creating the best rocket anyone had ever made. They did this partly with hopes that their rockets would soon bring them out of Coalwood. With the help of their enterprising science teacher, Miss Frieda Riley, the boys launched themselves into a challenge that they hoped would bring them straight to Wernher von Braun and his Cape Canaveral team in Florida. This factual, well-written and inspiring memoir is not just a personal remembrance of an extraordinary man; it is an example to people around the world of how far one dream can take a group of boys. Sonny knew he could not fall into the mundane, monotonous routine of every other miner in the Big Creek area. His dreams would take him far and beyond what he and his family had ever imagined, which included his father, the local coalmine superintendent. From Auk I to Auk XXXI, the Rocket Boys' story is eloquently displayed through the eyes of their leader. For years the boys watched their rockets race across the sunlit sky, waiting for them to convey a message of their success or their defeat. The boys battled every member of the town, hoping one day to convince everyone in Coalwood of their victories. Soon, after having watched the crowds at Cape Coalwood increase every weekend, they eventually win over the hearts and minds of Coalwood. Of course, the Rocket Boys started out as a club that met in Homer's bedroom. By the end of their high school careers, the BCMA had turned into an ingenious, victorious and harmonious connection that would give the boys a special bond for the rest of their lives. Their courage and determination weaves a story of one boy's idea that led to a National Science Fair award and real ticket to Cape Canaveral. This 1998 popular memoir is riveting and suspenseful, leaving the reader wanting more until the very last page. Anyone looking for an excellent tale of strength and perseverance will get lost in Rocket Boys. They too will make a connection with the Big Creek Missile Agency that will leave them with this everlasting memory. Readers will share Sonny's passion; they will take part in the determination and the pride the Rocket Boys saw in themselves the first time they saw Sputnik flash across the sky and light up their minds. "Then I saw the bright little ball, moving majestically across the narrow star field between the ridgelines. I started at it with no less rapt attention than if it had been God Himself in golden chariot riding overhead. It soared with what seemed to me inexorable and dangerous purpose, as if there were no power in the universe that could stop it" (39).Book Review: A Remarkable Book
Summary: 5 Stars
Homer "Sonny" Hickam, Jr.'s first memoir Rocket Boys is a masterpiece of American literature. Hickam's acclaimed book tells an extremely inspirational story of a young man who reaches his dream against all odds. However, what separates this memoir from the numerous other "follow your dreams" stories is its vivid, lucid language. As I was reading the story, I could actually picture what it was like living in small town America in the 1950's! I could picture his friends, the town, and all of the characters. I could feel his frustrations, problems, and relationships. Although I knew the ending to the novel straight away, I could not help but feel my emotion swaying with the ups and downs of the book. At some points, I was laughing out loud, and other made me feel as if I could shed a tear. What spurs Homer "Sonny"" Hickam throughout the memoir is the constant threat of working in the coal mines, dying young and miserable. His mother fears since he does not have the athletic ability of his older brother Jim, who is expected to receive a scholarship for college, he will never make it out of the town. However, Sonny's father hopes that he will follow in his footsteps and become the superintendent of the mine. Homer, Sr. dreams for him become smashed when Sonny watches Sputnik, the first satellite to be launched into space by the Soviets, fly overhead across the West Virginia sky in October, 1957. Sonny becomes inspired both by that first intrepid launch and by the work of Werner von Braun and the Cape Canaveral rocketry team who begin to compete for supremacy in space. Sonny soon decides to try and build his own rockets. This desire eventually morphs into in the hopes of winning the National Science Fair and receiving a scholarship for college. Sonny creates the BCMA (Big Creek Missile Agency), consisting of Quentin Wilson, Roy Lee Cooke, Sherman Siers, O'Dell Carroll, and Billy Rose. Together they use their limited recourses, and mostly self-taught education to build rockets. They make over thirty-five rockets called the Auk I-XXI. Sonny and his exhibit called "A Study of Amateur Rocketry Techniques" ultimately make it to the 1960 National Science Fair in Indianapolis, where they win first prize. That triumph proves to be their ticket to full scholarships for college and a way out of their dying coalmining town where they had expected to be working in the mines. Sonny's quest to build a rocket using his mostly self-taught education to escape the harsh coalmines will stay with you long after you stop reading. I know that throughout my life I will use Hickam's wonderfully written memoir as an inspiration. Sonny clearly demonstrates that any dream is accomplishable. At the end of the memoir, he sums up his entire experience in a simple paragraph after talking about his abandoned town, "Yet I believe for those of us who keep it in our hearts, Coalwood still lives. The miners still trudge up the old path to the tipple, and the people bustle in and out of the Big Store and gather on the church steps after Sunday services. The fences still buzz with news and gossip, and the mountains and hollows echo with the joyful clamor of childhood adventures. The halls and classrooms of the old schools still hum with the excitement of youth, and the football fields yet roar with celebration on cold fall Friday nights. Even now, Coalwood endures, and no one, nor careless industry or overzealous government, can ever completely destroy it-not while we who once lived there may recall our life among its places, or especially remember rockets that once leapt into the air, propelled not by physics but by the vibrant love of an honorable people, and the instruction of a dear teacher, and the dreams of boys." Hickam's heartfelt memoir, Rocket Boys, is an unbelievable read that proves that through lots of work, and being curious, you can make your dreams come true.