Rocket Boys/October Sky American Studies - Grisanzio
Chapter 1 - Coalwood
1. The first chapter of a novel acts as an introduction for the novel, just as the introduction does for an essay. ]In this novel, it even presents itself as a three point thesis! (Very obvious in the first and last paragraphs of the chapter. Discuss the three areas that the author is going to take us in his work.
2. When Sonny's Mom say's no you're not, no you're not, what conflict is this setting up for the novel?
3. The first chapters create the setting for the novel. Discuss how the author elicits our five senses in describing the town of Coalwood.
4. How does Hickham establish the concept of pride in the first chapter?
5. How does the authors establish the small town atmosphere in Coalwood?
6. Why do the Hickham's live right by the tipple? Discuss the impact that it has on all members of the family.
7. How is the company and Coalwood one and the same.
Chapter 2 - Sputnik
1. Write about the fear Sputnik brought over the American people. However, don't write about Sputnik. Can you think of a comparable situation today? What would elicit the same response from us today as Sputnik did?
2. Referring to the situation you wrote about in question #1, show us two reactions that would be legitimate, and two that would be totally ridiculous.
Legitimate
a.
b.
Ridiculous
a.
b.
3. Do some research on the internet concerning the academic abilities of our students as compared to other countries. What are we concerned about? Where are we failing? What impact will that have on our future?
4. What changes should we make to our educational system? Be sure to discuss both curriculum and technique.
Chapter 3 - Mom
1. Think back to a time when your Mom differed from your Dad concerning your welfare and continued to oppose him on your behalf. Did it have to do with your future? Discuss.
2. Now take what you wrote about in question #1 and bring it to the area of fiction. First write about the discussion she had with you and how she challenged you to take control of your future. Remember this is fiction - it does not need to be true. Or does it?
3. Now tell us the discussion your Mom had with your Dad. Again - this is fiction.
4. What was something that you did as a kid that was immediately sent around the neighborhood gossip tree. Discuss it.
Chapter 4 The Football Fathers
1. Tell us about the Football Fathers in your life. (Park district, Booster Club, Football Parents, Band Parents, Hockey Parents, etc.)
2. Give us a personal example of a parent showing favoritism towards a brother of sister of yours. (if not you, how about a friends family?)
3. The relationship between Homer (Dad) and Mr. Dubonnet is very important to the book. Discuss the many areas they would be at odds with each other.
4. What effect did Vanguard have on Sonny?
Chapter 5 Quentin
1. Quentin is very important symbol in this book. What are some of the things he represents?
2. Who would you talk to and befriend in your life that would be of some benefit to you but would put you in a precarious position with pour friends due to peer pressure? Why?
3. Find the lyrics to Sixteen Tons, by Tennessee Ernie Ford and discus what they mean.
4. Find a character on TV that you can compare to Dorothy. Discuss.
Chapter 6 Mr. Bykovski
Somewhere in your family is a couple that you can compare to the Bykovskis. After you have read the whole chapter and have got to know him a little bit, see if you can find similarities with your own relatives. You will revisit this page several times as the book develops.
Chapter 7 Cape Coalwood
Your Minister. Reverend, Priest, etc. has asked you and your father to sit down for a meeting. He will talk of the importance of the relationship between the two of you and at times will be supportive and critical of both of you. (As the Reverend was in this chapter) What will he say? What challenge will he present to each of you?
Chapter 8 Construction of the Cape
Chapter 9 Jake Mosby
Chapter 10 Miss Riley
1. Talk of a teacher that had an impact on your life. What did she or he do to have an effect on a decision that you needed to make? In what ways did they motivate you to do something?
Chapter 11 Rocket Candy
1. Search for Rocket candy on the internet. What did you find?
Chapter 12 The Machinists
1. Think of a time where family members, friends of your parents, neighbors have taken an interest in a project of yours and actively helped you. Discuss.
Chapter 13 The Rocket Book
1. Look up rockets on the internet (or in the library) and tell me as much as you can about how they work.
Chapter 14 The Pillar Explosion
Chapter 15 The State Troopers
1. Have you ever been unfairly blamed for something in your life? Tell us about it.
Chapter 16 A Natural Arrogance
Chapter 17 Valentine
1. Did you have a crush on someone when you were younger (like last year or when you were 9!) and get shot down big time? Talk about it. Of course, you can talk about a friend if you want.
Chapter 18
1. Do some research on the Quecreek Pa. disaster on July 24, 2002.
Chapter 19 Picking Up and Going On
1. How does Sonny react to the accident? Can you think of parallels in the news today?
2. What gets Sonny back on track?
Chapter 20 - ODells Treasure
In black powder, saltpeter (potassium nitrate- KNO3) is the oxidiser, while sulphur (S), and charcoal (mainly carbon- C) are the fuel. But, depending on the percentage of each ingredient, sulphur may also act as an oxidiser for potassium in the reaction:
2KNO3 + S + 3C = K2S + N2 + 3CO2.