October sky book how many pages

Hickam grew up in a mining town in which the only job choice was to become a miner. His mother wanted to ensure he got out of the town and encouraged him to build rockets as a means of proving to his father that he was smart enough to go to college. This book inspired the movie October Sky wh This book was fabulous. This book inspired the movie October Sky which has long been a favourite feel good movie of mine.

However I think I like the book for an entirely different reason. The movie is an inspirational story of a boy overcoming the odds in order to become something that was not expected of him. While the book was about that too, it was also about a lifestyle in which children where given much greater freedoms and responsibilities.

When Hickam and his buddies decided to build a rocket they went to the corner store and bought explosive chemicals in order to make it happen. When they blew up his mother's fence her reaction was to encourage him to build more and to not blow himself up. The rocket launches were incredible dangerous especially to spectators who were repeatedly diving for cars in order to avoid being impaled by rockets.

Twice he describes rockets that went out of control and ended up in the town itself, potentially deadly weapons. The story that stands out in my mind is of Hickam and his mates riding there sleds many miles to school after a snow day was declared. He ended up getting home on his own, walking through a whiteout and suffering near frostbite before coming across a home in which he was invited. He dried off and then kept on going.

On arriving home his mother and father were unperplexed, not slightly bothered that there son could almost have died. I wonder whether the Hickam's mother was so passionate about him leaving the town that she thought it better that he die trying than have to go down into the mines. I found this book inspirational as a parent.

It reminded me that children become adults quicker than we think, and are capable of much more than our current system allows for. Dec 09, Mark Mallett rated it really liked it Shelves: nonfiction , memoir. Interesting that "October Sky" the name of the movie is an anagram of "Rocket Boys" the name of the book - the original name anyway. Although I was a teenager more than a decade later than Hickam was, some of the things he wrote about hit close to home.

I, too, grew up in a rural area - on a dirt road in the woods of NH. I remember what it's like to lie in the dark in the middle of nowhere and watch for satellites. I and my circle of friends experimented pretty freely on our own with things l Interesting that "October Sky" the name of the movie is an anagram of "Rocket Boys" the name of the book - the original name anyway.

I and my circle of friends experimented pretty freely on our own with things like chemistry and electricity, and did things like making powder-propelled projectiles. We did not achieve Hickam's level or come anywhere near his scientific approach, but nevertheless remembering these things made me feel a connection to his tale. Whether that's important, I can't say, but I doubt it. I think everyone can empathize with a quest for intellectual independence. One thing that struck me was how well Hickam constructed, or perhaps experienced, parallels to what the boys are doing with their rockets.

This is a story of bonds that can be loosened but only to varying degrees. It's told in terms of the rockets that fight against gravity, only to return; of young people stretching their roots, only to retain them; of a mining town that has to give up its hold on its people or vice versa. Very telling is Hickam finding a favorite poem of his father, about sending out dreams in cars that come back empty. Way too long a note, I know..

Feb 02, Alan rated it it was amazing. Loved it! The sequels are not as good as he milks the story for more and more books, but the original is fantastic. I've read this three or four times and bought the movie October Sky. This is a great book about coming of age and relationships and meeting your goals and is great for all kids.

May 18, Laura rated it really liked it Shelves: southern-trail-group-reads. Quick and light. Enjoyable read. Nothing heavy about this one. Jun 30, Fred Forbes rated it it was amazing.

Noticed that one of my Goodread friends is reading this and realized I had never posted it on my list. One of the best I have read largely because I enjoy coming of age stories and really identify with the time period.

Aug 20, K. Read with child 2 for her 9th grade honors English Summer assignment. Actually really enjoyed. Science was a bit above me, but it wasn't too tedious. Got to have a talk with said child 2 about the brain and hormones of the average teenage boy.

Have hopes for her teacher, this book was a great choice. Lot's of great "if you want to learn it or earn it, you can if you work for it" moments without that being the obvious message. Kindle borrow Read with child 2 for her 9th grade honors English Summer assignment. Kindle borrow This book was not my favorite.

The book is super long- about pages! I ended up skimming a majority of it. There were some inappropriate parts, as well as a LOT of swearing- like several times per chapter. This man is incredible though! His story is so inspiring! Even though everyone in his town worked in the mines, he defied the odds to build rockets and other am This book was not my favorite. Even though everyone in his town worked in the mines, he defied the odds to build rockets and other amazing things!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love timepieces, and the West Virginia coal town was a lovely setting, good and bad. Reminded me of how much Steinbeck integrated Salinas Valley commonly in his stories. I also liked Hickham's tendency to go on tangents that didn't move the story along - details about people in Coalwood just for the sake of it. Although it's frowned upon a lot, I just love as much detail as possible I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Although it's frowned upon a lot, I just love as much detail as possible May 05, Dan rated it really liked it. The Rocket Boys The writing was better than I anticipated.

Interestingly enough the oft complicated relationship Homer had with his parents was actually the best part of the book - rather than shooting off rockets and the trouble that ensued. While I love astrophysics, I was a little disappointed in the lack of science here. Black lung disease is a horrible way to go. Feb 24, Jan rated it it was amazing. The true story, originally published as Rocket Boys , that inspired the Universal Pictures film. It was , the year Sputnik raced across the Appalachian sky, and the small town of Coalwood, West Virginia, was slowly dying.

Faced with an uncertain future, Homer Hickam nurtured a dream: to send rockets into outer space. As the boys began to light up the tarry skies with their flaming projectiles and dreams of glory, Coalwood, and the Hickams, would never be the same.

Get A Copy. Paperback , pages. Published February 16th by Dell first published More Details Original Title. West Virginia United States. Other Editions Friend Reviews. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. To ask other readers questions about October Sky , please sign up. Can anyone tell me about this book's appropriateness for middle schoolers? Not only is Homer a man for all seasons and the true definition of a Renaissance man, but he is, without a doubt, one of the great storytellers of our time.

In the pages of Don't Blow Yourself Up , you'll travel the world with Homer, all the while asking yourself, 'Is there anything this man can't do? Providing a beautiful account of his dreams, service, and adventure that led to contributions to the space program and the literary worlds, Homer takes us from rocket boy to rocket man to bestselling author.

He writes about his experiences with an engineer's precision and a poet's emotions, not only sharing the details of the times in which he has lived, but also the deep inner feelings of his life's successes and disappointments in a most personal and incredibly honest way.

This is way more than a collection of stories from one man's life, it is an inspirational guide to how a person with an adventurous spirit and a good heart can live life to the fullest. Read this book and be inspired to reach for the stars. Tell us what you like and we'll recommend books you'll love. Sign up and get a free ebook! Published by Post Hill Press. Table of Contents Rave and Reviews. About The Book. Featured products. Show more From the manufacturer Loading, please wait Show more.

Write a review. Get top deals, latest trends, and more. Email address. Sign up. About Target Careers. Email Signup. Target Brands. Advertise with Us. Bullseye Shop. Target's Coronavirus Response. Corporate Responsibility. Investor Relations.

Help Target Help.