A double shot of YA Rocket Boys event recaps.

The High School Book Club met on 4/10 at Buena Vista to discuss Rocket Boys by Homer J. Hickam as part of our Burbank Reads celebration. The teens enjoyed eating Moonpies and posing for this picture. Many of them also enjoyed watching October Sky (the film) on their own. We also read Project 17 by Laurie Faria Stolarz and The Art of War by Sun Tzu.

Our next meeting (last one for the school year) is on 5/15 at Buena Vista 6:30 pm. We will be reading Sabriel by Garth Nix and Alanna by Tamora Pierce.

And.....

TALES OF THE PARANORMAL with James Underdown from Center for Inquiry West, Hollywood – We had 95 attend our Burbank Reads YA show at Buena Vista on 4/16. Everyone had a lot of fun debating with Mr Underdown about aliens, crop circles, and UFOs. We had quite a lot of adults attend and the kids asked really interesting questions. A good time was had by all!

Thanks to Melissa and Katherine for the recaps and the photos!

Bringing the Book to Life at the Central Library.

Burbank Public Library Presents a Special Burbank READS Event


Bringing the book to life!


Wednesday, April 2 7:00 PM
Burbank Central Library
110 N. Glenoaks Blvd.
818-238-5600

Please join us for a unique Rocket Boys experience! Local professional actor Peter Renaday will give a dramatic reading of passages from the book. The reading will be followed by an opportunity to talk about Rocket Boys and enjoy refreshments.

Those who attended the previous program on March 18, spoke highly of how much they enjoyed Mr. Renaday's moving and wonderful reading. Here is a second chance to attend!

Peter Renaday has appeared in many, many films and TV shows. Anyone who has been to Disneyland will have heard Peter's voice announcing the arrival of trains at the Main Street Station, as well as at other attractions in both Disneyland and Disney World. He has provided his voice to a number of animated TV shows and films, including episodes of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Animaniacs, Darkwing Duck, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, and Transformers.

Brown Bag Book Club to chat about "Rocket Boys"

All members of the public are welcome to attend the “Brown Bag Book Club” which will be meeting and chatting about “Rocket Boys” by Homer Hickam Jr.

The meeting will be on Tuesday, March 18 at 12 Noon at the Central Library in the Literacy Conference Room.

The "Brown Baggers" haven't told me if swapping a PB& J for a couple of chocolate chip cookies is allowed...but bring your lunch and see what happens!

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Brown Baggers please stop by and join us!

Bringing the Book to Life!

Burbank Public Library Presents a Special Burbank READS Event

Bringing the book to life!

Tuesday, March 18 @7:00 PM

Buena Vista Branch Library

300 N. Buena Vista St.

818-238-5620

Wednesday, April 2 @7:00 PM

Burbank Central Library

110 N. Glenoaks Blvd.

818-238-5600

Please join us for a unique Rocket Boys experience! Local professional actor Peter Renaday will give a dramatic reading of passages from the book. The reading will be followed by an opportunity to talk about Rocket Boys and enjoy refreshments.

Peter Renaday has appeared in many, many films and TV shows. Anyone who has been to Disneyland will have heard Peter's voice announcing the arrival of trains at the Main Street Station, as well as at other attractions in both Disneyland and Disney World. He has provided his voice to a number of animated TV shows and films, including episodes of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Animaniacs, Darkwing Duck, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, and Transformers.

Joslyn Book Club Loves "The Rocket Boys"!

"Rocket Boys" by Homer Hickam Jr. won the hearts of the rocket girls of the Joslyn Afternoon Book Club.

The cookies and goodies were a big hit and so were the comments:

*I either choked up or cried on every page.
*Loved the juxtaposition of the bowels of the earth (mines) and the rocket to outer endless space.
*We heard the recording of the Explorer that was taped by one of the members. The longest long distant phone call. 2.6 million miles in space.
*A tribute to the education these boys received and to the excellent teachers.
*Loved the book. It touched me.
*All the people who helped to make it happen. It takes a village.
*Something for the young, parents everyone
*Movie was also excellent and a great cast* I read this ten years ago and thought I would just skim it this time but I started reading it and was so captured I was half way through before I stopped to write some notes.
* I am thinking of buying it for my grandson.
*Good role model for kids in this city. Will encourage them to follow their dreams.
*Fabulous story teller. Story of growing up. Many touching times.
* I read it twice it made me feel so good.Hooray for who ever choose this book. It is perfect.

We are pleased that it is perfect and we hope that the rest of Burbank enjoys the book as much as the Joslyn Book Club!

Joslyn Book Club to Chat about "Rocket Boys".

Attention all members of the Joslyn Book Club, a reminder to be ready to discuss “Rocket Boys” at your meeting on February 11.



Here are some questions about "Rocket Boys" for your consideration.

1. In the first paragraph of the book, Homer writes that his hometown was “at war with itself over its children.” What does he mean?

2. Could you identify with Homer’s inspiration for rockets upon hearing about Sputnik? Do you remember those times?

3. Do you think the feeling towards the space program has changed since the times referred to in this book?

4. Many of the miners root for Homer. Why doesn't Homer's Dad share his dream? Why is it easier for him to show his pride in Jim?

5. Sometimes when we look back it seems as though the 50’s were of a simpler more idyllic time in American history. Do you think this is true or just a perception?

6. Although Burbank is not as geographically isolated as Coalwood was, can you draw comparisons between the two towns? Do you think Lockheed and the studio industry made Burbank a company town to some degree?

7. How do you think aeronautics affected the town of Burbank?

8. Homer and his friends turned “scraps of metal into sophisticated rockets”. How do you think their surroundings helped or hindered their efforts?

9. Today we are surrounded by personal technology. How do you think this encourages or inhibits our creativity?

10. The quote selected for our 2008 Burbank READS bookmark is from Homer’s teacher Miss Riley when she gives him the book Principles of Guided Missile Design, “All I’ve done is give you a book. You have to have the courage to learn what’s inside it.” Is there a book that has had an impact on your life?