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!

Homer Hickam said . . .

What a wonderful honor to have Rocket Boys chosen for Burbank Reads! The book has been picked by hundreds of cities as their annual read but I have to say being selected by Burbank is especially meaningful. I am often in the area and have always admired your sweet city.

If I may, I would suggest you contact a couple of local folks to perhaps come by and chat at one of your gatherings: Chuck Gordon who produced October Sky and now heads up Daybreak Productions, and Mickey Freiberg of the Acme Agency who was and is my agent and steered my book to Universal Studios. Not sure if they're vailable but you never know. Of course, you can also see if Jake Gyllenhaal is in town, too! Yes, the movie is quite a bit different from the book but the people who made it definitely had their hearts in the right place and made very good film, one I'm proud to be associated with.

To contact me, just go to http://www.homerhickam.com and go to the Contact Us page.

Thanks again and best wishes for a successful Burbank Reads!

Homer Hickam
February 8, 2008 11:48 AM

Homer Hickam

Watch a clip of a speech by Homer Hickam @
~ Greater Talent Network, Inc.

Check out Homer's Blog @ Homer Hickam Online

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?

Welcome to the new Burbank READS blog! It is my pleasure to announce that the 2008 title for Burbank READS has been selected. After reading many books and having numerous lively discussions about the various titles, the committee has chosen (drum roll, please!) Rocket Boys by Homer H. Hickam, Jr.!

Rocket Boys, also published as October Sky, is a wonderful coming of age memoir about high school boys who are inspired to build a rocket of their own after the successful launch of the Russian rocket, Sputnik. Set in a coal mine town in West Virginia in the late 1950’s, the boys struggle against almost insurmountable odds to follow their dream. This book will make you laugh, perhaps get a little teary-eyed, but certainly inspire you with the determination of these young men to succeed in their quest. Given Burbank’s long connection with Lockheed and the 50th anniversary of the NASA and JPL, this is a timely book certain to evoke memories of the early days of aeronautics and man’s desire to travel to the stars.

Yes, the library has stocked many copies of Rocket Boys (October Sky), and has a copy in Spanish, as well as the abridged version of the book on compact disc. We also have the DVD of the movie, October Sky, which was based on the book. Stop by and check out a copy soon!

We will officially kick off BURBANK READS on March 1, 2008, as we all gather at the Buena Vista Branch Library for a night of family fun including a visit from the Sidewalk Astronomer who will have telescopes set up in the park for all to gaze at the stars. For more information on this and other upcoming programs, check this site or visit our website at http://www.burbanklibrary.com/. Brochures outlining the programs will also be available soon at the library.

In the meantime we will be confirming a number of wonderful upcoming programs including a visit by a retired astronaut! Of course, there will be screenings of the movie October Sky, discussion group opportunities, programs for children and a special dramatic reading from the book. There will be lots happening over the next two months, so grab a copy of Rocket Boys now and start reading!

Wouldn’t it be fun if everybody in Burbank read the same book at the same time?? Join us as we all read Rocket Boys and participate in the many programs as we build community page by page!!

What will Burbank READS read in 2008?

The Burbank READS committee has been busy reviewing books and making plans for the 2008 edition of Burbank READS!

Stay tuned for the big announcement of what book all of Burbank will read together at the Tuesday, February 5 City Council meeting.

A Lovely Letter of Support.

The Library recently received these very lovely words about our 2007 "Marley & Me" Burbank Reads program. We thought that we'd share them with you!

Submitted by Marva Murphy, Burbank resident

Like an excited child selecting its first bicycle, I was eager to get into my car and start driving. I was headed to Central California via Interstate 5. To be sure, it wasn’t the monotony of miles and miles of fields along the interstate that caused me to bubble with anticipation, but the forthcoming opportunity to participate in Burbank Reads. You see, I checked out the audio CD of Marley & Me, written and read by John Grogan.

With a newly purchased container of ice cold soda, some munchies and 200 miles of Interstate ahead, I inserted the first CD in my car player and headed North. For the next three hours, I giggled, laughed out loud, wiped away tears and empathized with the author while getting to know Marley and his family.

I was in Central California to attend a seminar. It was a most productive event, but all the while, I kept thinking about Marley and wondering what would come next. I couldn’t wait until I was back in my car so I could hear author Grogan read to me and share the adventure that was life with Marley.

The luxury of sitting in a comfortable chair and burying myself in a book escapes my current lifestyle. Fortunately, the Burbank Library has seen fit to purchase Marley & Me in audio CD and large print to enable residents to participate in Burbank Reads in whatever fashion suits them best.

For this I am thankful, for I have now heard the entire book of Marley & Me. I thoroughly enjoyed my little sojourn, and the lessons learned.

Thank you to the Library staff and City of Burbank for bringing Burbank Reads to the community and introducing me to Marley.