... and his pals used their own ingenuity to build things they couldn't buy. For Homer H. Hickam Jr., growing up in a small West Virginia coal town, the early days of the space race inspired him and his friends to build rockets. Rocket Boys: A Memoir is the boyhood story of a NASA engineer that did more than ... and marked the start of the space race. Rather than rail against the threat of Communism like his father and other adults, Sonny was inspired by the feat, and saw it as a way out of Coalwood. He decided to learn how to build rockets so he could join NASA's Dr ... first, the football...

• Word Count: 522
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... autographed picture from Werner Von Brahn who has been his inspiration in all of his rocket building. This upsets his father because he believes Homer is wasting his time with rocket building. After many rocket launchings they become known as the " rocket boys". A man from a college comes to talk to the Hickam's and offers Jim a scholarship in football. One day while at school, the police come and ... take the boys because they are believed to have set a fire in the woods by a rocket. Ms. Riley becomes upset because ... she doesn't think children should be sitting in hand cuffs. At the...

• Word Count: 1025
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... Sky," is based on the true story of Homer Hickam Jr., a NASA scientist. The movie was adopted from his autobiography, "Rocket Boys." The title of this movie, is an anagram to rocket boys (Movies: Rocket Boys). The movie showcases life of a young adult, Homer Hickam, a high school student in Coalwood, West Virginia. The townspeople predominantly work in the coal mining fields, where Homer's father is a respected supervisor. The townspeople witness ... strike, so that the workshop could be used to remake the stolen part. Homer eventually wins the science fair. When he comes back, the boys...

• Word Count: 1495
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... change. In the movie Homer's father John Hickam got into a mining accident and it was very critical. Homer had to work in the mines to pay for his dad's medical treatments. By doing this he did not go to school but he had to accept the change whether he liked it or not. Also his life changed a lot when "The Rocket Boys" were accused of starting ... him to become which was a miner. Also by focusing on his journey he was able to prove that his rocket did not start the fire, which enabled him to do what he really wanted to and that was building rockets. The fourth of the High Five Principl...

• Word Count: 1292
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... learn and succeed, yet certain influences continually prevent such achievement? This is the case for Homer Hickam and his fellow "rocket boys" within the film October Sky. However, they did finally succeed by persevering to build their rocket and win the National Science Fair. Many encouragements and discouragements provide education for the boys. They each learn something with each new experience while researching, studying, and building their ... reaction from the people of Coalwood and how they looked upon the rocket boys" aspirations. One response to the rocket boys" rocket building...

• Word Count: 1526
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... . If you were lucky, you would go to college on a football scholarship, or you would end up working in the coalmines for the rest of your life. But Homer Hickam decided to do things a little differently. Homer Hickam was an average boy. He went to high school but didn't play any sports. His brother on the other hand was an all-star football player ... . Homer's father, Jake Hickam, was the Superintendent of the coalmine. He wanted nothing more than for Homer to follow in his footsteps and take over when he retired. Homer vowed he would never work in the mine. Inspired by ... the rockets....

• Word Count: 324
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

... work and at the same time achieve different opinions. The movie October Sky, directed by Joe Johnston, tells a story about a high school boy, Homer Hickam, who has a dream of making rockets and realizes his dream by cooperating with his friends. Homer chooses to make the rocket with the "Rocket Boys" instead of working by himself, in order to achieve success. This also reminds me of the memories ... of working with others when I was young. From the movie and my own experience, Homer and I both gain benefits ... also tries to explain to the guys why the rocket is not working. Each one o...

• Word Count: 1193
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

Homer Hickam Jr., Sonny, was born in Coalwood, West Virginia. In his book, October Sky" he relates his own life story, focusing on his teenage years and his attempts to build a rocket with his friends. During these years, there were some pivotal moments that led to his achievements such as the launch of Sputnik, the support of his teacher Miss Riley, and ... find a way. Sonny wanted Quentin, the most hard working student in his class, to join the Rocket boy's team. Sonny thought that he would help him to understand the scientific and mathematical aspects of rocket building. Quentin's underst...

• Word Count: 1011
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... of four boys in a poverty-stricken corner of Appalachia who are determined to build their own rocket, and help get America back in thespace race.'' It's seen through the eyes of their leader, young Homer Hickham, who sees the speck of light of theSputnik? in the sky and starts reading the science fiction of Jules Verne. Homer is ... a good student, but math and science are his weak points. He knows he needs help, and breaks all of the rules in the school lunchroom by approaching the class brain, an outcast named Quentin for reaching his goal. With ... his friends and the local nerd, Hom...

• Word Count: 456
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School