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emmad24's review against another edition
5.0
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!
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't realise until halfway through that this was actually a true story. I was then even more taken with it, knowing that this all really did take place. Even before that, I was fascinated by the story of a group of boys caught up in the Space Race between American and Russia, and teaching themselves the mathematics needed to try and build their own rocket.
And all that whilst living in a small town centring around its coalmine, one that took lives regularly, where football scholarships might get you to college, otherwise you'd be down the mine when you left school.
Homer and his friends come up against opposition, from family and teachers, as they struggle to keep going, to give themselves the education they need to fly a rocket successfully.
This was such a good listen (great narrator on the audiobook), there isn't much science involved, and I loved the history side of this, the context of the story helps cement what was on people's minds at the time, as the Cold War went on and Kennedy struggled to be seen as a serious presidential candidate.
Homer comes across as an eager and determined young man, one trying to do right by everyone but also to fulfil his own ambitions. I was almost crying for his successes as they happen and was desperate (not already knowing) to find out how his quest ends.
The story takes us past the time of the Rocket Boys club, and into Homer's own future, and we get to see what happens to the characters we've come to know and appreciate after the students graduate and after man lands on the moon. It's very moving and I did shed a tear or two.
Modern history wrapped up in a smalltown American tale of teenage dreams. Wonderfully told.
And all that whilst living in a small town centring around its coalmine, one that took lives regularly, where football scholarships might get you to college, otherwise you'd be down the mine when you left school.
Homer and his friends come up against opposition, from family and teachers, as they struggle to keep going, to give themselves the education they need to fly a rocket successfully.
This was such a good listen (great narrator on the audiobook), there isn't much science involved, and I loved the history side of this, the context of the story helps cement what was on people's minds at the time, as the Cold War went on and Kennedy struggled to be seen as a serious presidential candidate.
Homer comes across as an eager and determined young man, one trying to do right by everyone but also to fulfil his own ambitions. I was almost crying for his successes as they happen and was desperate (not already knowing) to find out how his quest ends.
The story takes us past the time of the Rocket Boys club, and into Homer's own future, and we get to see what happens to the characters we've come to know and appreciate after the students graduate and after man lands on the moon. It's very moving and I did shed a tear or two.
Modern history wrapped up in a smalltown American tale of teenage dreams. Wonderfully told.
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Book on CD read by Beau Bridges
Homer Hickam Jr (a/k/a Sonny) grew up in Coalwood, West Virginia – a “company town” in built and owned by the mining company for whom his father worked. The only thing that mattered in that small town was coal and high school football. And Sonny hadn’t much interest in either. Sonny and his friends, fellow misfits, didn’t seem to have much future to look forward to, until their imaginations were ignited by watching the Soviet satellite Sputnik. They began with simple “kitchen experiments,” learned from their failures, improved their rockets and garnered the admiration and support of the town.
In his memoir, Hickam brings the residents of Coalwood to life. He shares stories of growing up, of high school football, a beloved teacher, unlikely allies, young love, and his mother’s determination that her boys would NOT go into that mine. All the “Rocket Boys” went to college, three of them in engineering. The town of Coalwood was eventually abandoned when the mine was closed and allowed to fill with water.
Beau Bridges does an excellent job voicing the audio book. He has great pacing and a delivery that is just perfect for this story.
Homer Hickam Jr (a/k/a Sonny) grew up in Coalwood, West Virginia – a “company town” in built and owned by the mining company for whom his father worked. The only thing that mattered in that small town was coal and high school football. And Sonny hadn’t much interest in either. Sonny and his friends, fellow misfits, didn’t seem to have much future to look forward to, until their imaginations were ignited by watching the Soviet satellite Sputnik. They began with simple “kitchen experiments,” learned from their failures, improved their rockets and garnered the admiration and support of the town.
In his memoir, Hickam brings the residents of Coalwood to life. He shares stories of growing up, of high school football, a beloved teacher, unlikely allies, young love, and his mother’s determination that her boys would NOT go into that mine. All the “Rocket Boys” went to college, three of them in engineering. The town of Coalwood was eventually abandoned when the mine was closed and allowed to fill with water.
Beau Bridges does an excellent job voicing the audio book. He has great pacing and a delivery that is just perfect for this story.
maryquitecontrary_22's review against another edition
3.0
Hickam is a natural storyteller, bringing a coal town in 1950s West Virginia to life for the reader. I especially enjoyed his descriptions of the people who make up this community from his childhood. The plot line is, however, rather slow, so I wouldn't recommend it to others/students who need something quicker-paced or a lot of action.
huntermatthew's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
mpapomeroy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
josie_wu's review against another edition
5.0
Incredibly moving and powerful. I was very inspired when I read this.