Tammy, I enjoyed reading your post. I agree that Sonny’s father was an obstacle in Sonny following his dream to build a rocket. Although Mr. Hickman was resistant in Sonny not following in his steps, he did continue to support him in some ways. Even though Sonny did not become an engineer in the coal mines, I believe Mr. Hickman eventually opened up to the idea of Sonny pursuing his dream.…
Exposition: Main characters/characters; Squeaky a teenage girl in the family that acts mostly like a boy and Raymond which has mental problems that tries to make his life exciting by imagining things at the age of around 6-8. Other family members are the mom and dad plus an older brother George. Other characters are Gretchen, Mary Louise, and Rosie which have a problem with Squeaky.…
Bud Gaugh and Eric Wilson grew up in the same neighborhood. In high school they formed a band with their future manager, Michael Happoldt, called The Juice Bros. The band was a purely punk rock band. Then, Brad Nowell dropped out of the University of California and joined the band. Nowell introduced ska and reggae to the band to form the band's punk, ska, and reggae blend.…
Sonny a boy who had a dream to build rockets, not matter what people told him what he could do he would do. He would build rockets and do what he wanted for a dream. His father did all he could to keep his sonny from building rockets, but Sonny did it anyway.…
Although Rameck is willing to change he is lacking the effort. He silly strings his teacher which gets him suspended. This is where all three of the boys started to bond. Rameck realizes he should become a doctor and decides to chase after his dream with the assistance of his new 2 friends.…
Alfred, Calvin, Samuel, and Tom are four boys who enjoy living on the edge. One would assume they are responsible enough to make wise decisions since their mother's let them go unsupervised to the missile exhibit.…
She asks a student what he thinks of the subject, Homer Hickam had no answer. It was not until he witnesses Sputnik with his own eyes that had began to have an interest in rockets and space. Thus this began the journey that would get him and his friends into college. The “Rocket Boys” set off to build a working rocket, one that would go up high in the air. As life would have it the “Rocket Boys” did not go without hardship. In their journey the first rocket, AUK I, blows up a section of the Hickam home fence. They get right back to work on AUK I with the help of a company worker they have a functioning rocket. The boys go to launch it from a hill top near the mine and unknowingly the rocket heads straight toward the mines. Landing in front of Hickam’s father’s office Homer and the boys are faced with their first setback. Hickam’s father lets him know, “Don’t you ever let me catch you with these fool things on company property again,” which meant they would have to get about eight miles out of Coalwood, West Virginia. This gets O’Dell and Roy Lee to doubt in themselves because they cannot see a future where they win a science fair. “A million to one, O’Dell,” are the chances that a bunch of kids from Coalwood actually winning the National Science Fair (October…
In the novel Rocket Boys Homer Hickam, Jr. referred to as Sonny had a dream. He wanted to build rockets and one day work for NASA. I also have a dream of becoming a professional softball player just like Jennie Finch. I hope to one day attend University of South Carolina and play for them to earn my name. I plan to reach my destination just as Sonny did.…
Three of the main characters are Alexis Frost, Nick Walker, and Ruby Mclear. Alexis frost is a 16 year old girl who was joined the research program at the CIA. The two friends is made at this establishment are Nick Walker and Ruben clear. Alexis is tall beautiful and has a secret that she does not want anyone to find out. Nick Walker a 16 year old boy who wants to join the military. he only wants to join the military to avenge his father died in the war in Iraq the only…
To avoid going to the mine, of course, Sonny would need to achieve his goals, and in order to do so, he had to teach himself calculus when his school did not allow him to take the class, rocketry and chemistry, so that the rockets would launch, increasing the chances of recognition of the rocket club, but most of all, he needed to learn that, in the words of Wernher von Braun, “If you work hard enough, you will do anything you want,” even escape Coalwood and become a NASA scientist, which is ultimately what Sonny did. Evidently, both Lily and Sonny led by example, becoming the masters of their fates when they were unsatisfied with the lives others had laid out for…
The passages really brought me into Hickam’s mindset and I was able to see the world from his point of view. The frequent literary devices entertained my mind, while my imagination was absorbed in the imagery in the book. I was inspired by Sonny’s determination to succeed and make something of himself. I did not find any truly weak parts of this memoir as I personally was absorbed in every moment in it. However I can understand if some people were to find it dull or boring at times due to lack of action. Unfortunately many readers today read only for action and violence, so due to a general lack of these in Rocket Boys, many people might find it unentertaining. I would only recommend this to a person who reads to be inspired and not merely to be entertained. Personally I found myself captivated by the book’s imagery and unknowingly I found myself on a mission to find every little literary device possible. Throughout my reading I always viewed the book positively and eagerly read ahead to find out what would happen next. Rocket Boys is an excellent book that I found to be truly inspirational and has positively impacted on my view on my own life. Now I truly believe that if I work hard enough, I can achieve just about…
The story keeps progressing and their rockets keep flying higher, as they get new ideas on how to build their rockets more effectively. One major person in helping them to develop their rockets is Miss Riley, their chemistry teacher. She does everything in her power to help these boys and convinces them to enter the science fair. They win the county, the state, and finally the national science fair, with much enthusiasm and support from their hometown. Homer and his friends launch their last six rockets in their town. Homer’s dad shows up for the launching of the last rocket. His father had never seen any of his rockets before, and Homer is thrilled. He allows his father to launch the last rocket, and the boys leave town to start their lives outside of their small town in West Virginia.…
I also agree with you stating Sonny’s father was an obstacle. Sonny father was adamant Sonny work in the mines and follow his footsteps. I think Sonny’s father underestimated his determination to follow his dreams. The fact they grew up in a mining town and was able to achieve the ability to make rockets fly is genius. We all tend to stay in our comfort…
My father-in-law, Robert E. Brown, a prolific storyteller, grew up in Bradley, South Dakota, a railroad town servicing the surrounding farming community on the eastern Dakota prairie. Although his childhood encompassed the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl eras, his anecdotes didn’t dwell on the hardships. Rather, he recalled and passed on fond memories of these years. Several of his stories recounted events regarding mischievous activities carried out by the males from Bradley. Boys will be boys.…
As Sonny’s dreams become a reality he turns into a more modest person. He realizes that his hard work has paid off, as well as everyone from Coalwood’s work. They are half of the reason he is successful. They made his materials, helped him with the funds, and supported the Rocket Boys through it all. Sonny had a lot of up and downs emotionally throughout his adventure. He took advantage of his friends and the people willing to help him at Coalwood at first, and then they grew to want to help him.…