Science Books

Not much new can be said on the Harry Potter series, so I'll just go with one impression from the recent read: Quidditch sucks as an actual sport. With 150 points for catching the Snitch, it's completely absurd, like if field goals in American Football were worth 10 points. The outcome of the game is almost entirely in the hands of someone that has nothing to do with the bulk of the gameplay or teams, and relies on an entirely different skillset. It's still convincing in terms of pointless English boarding school sports, but not as the unofficial sport of Rowling's wizarding world.

The rest of Rowling's worldbuilding is generally better, although never particularly organized or systematic; there are never any clear rules of magic. It's more a hodgepodge of various myths and tales and some inventions. None of it is startlingly original, but despite some occasionally stilted prose Rowling weaves it together remarkably well. None of the characters are particularly complex yet, and the plot is straightforward children's fare, but the book as a whole works better than the parts seem to sugggest.

It's obvious that Ms. Rowling put a great deal of thought into the structure of this book. Coming in very late to the whole Harry Potter phenomenon, I've come to understand why these books are so popular with kids and adults. The vocabulary isn't taxing to grownups (I'm 48 and an avid reader) as well as being a little bit challenging for the younger audience, which is a good thing. It also has plenty of colorful characters and enough twists and turns to keep the reader interested. This first installment in the seven-volume series lays an excellent foundation as well as leaving a few unanswered mysteries to keep me hooked. I enjoyed the first book and certainly intend on reading the next installment. It makes me feel like I'm a kid again.
(Also as a side note, if you haven't had the pleasure of hearing Jim Dale's narration, you are missing a real treat. The CD's are worth every penny. My two boys have read the books, but listened to the CDs over and over.)

It's great to have this fine quality volume in my collection. I will buy every forthcoming "Anniversary" edition of the Potter series. With the J.K. Rowling's own sketch of Snape included here, I wonder why she did not illustrate all of her books. Her sketch of Snape is exactly how I imagined him and has much more gravitas and interest than the rather too whimsical drawings of her illustrator.

We all know and love this story. In this special anniversary addition, the publishers have included a beautiful painting of Hagrid and the First Years crossing the lake by Mary GrandPre as well as a hand drawn sketch of Snape by J.K. Rowling herself. The dust cover art is of Harry looking into the Mirror of Erised (my favorite chapter). The book itself is covered in Gryffindor house colors -- scarlet with gold stars all over it. I'm looking forward to collecting all seven anniversary editions for my home library.

I am a huge fan of Harry Potter, but I must say I did delay ordering this book. I just didnt think a new cover and a few extras was worth the price. Now, having seen the pictures put up by others, I am so glad I did order it! I think the new cover looks gorgeous and cant wait for Amazon to ship my order! (I am in NZ and so have selected for all my books to arrive in 1 shipment to save on postage. I just have to wait for the release of Beedle the bard and all my HP related books will be on their way to me...yay!)

Ms. Rowling apparently had a lot to say in this next installment of the series. Coming in at nearly twice the length of the previous story, the bulkiness does not detract from the good, solid storytelling. The author seamlessly brings new readers up to date in the life of Harry Potter by interjecting, throughout the book, facts from the previous three books. However, you will not truly appreciate the development of this wonderful wizardly world without reading them in sequence. Other reviewers have felt the need to list their favorites in this series, but the exercise is unnecessary. The first four books were very fun and easy reads. This stuff isn't meant to be Shakespeare, folks. Many, many adults and kids have gushed to me about how much they enjoyed all seven novels. Nothing in Ms. Rowling's books have soured me from soon reading the fifth installment. Sit back, relax and enjoy.

This book is great. It has very descriptive words and it is action packed with a lot of drama. This is my favorite Harry Potter book so far. In general, Harry Potter books are the best for me. Harry finds a romance, but sadly it may not go so well. The book is fantastic. At the end, something interesting happens, and I won't tell you what, so read the book.

I enjoyed this book and it was a very quick read. The characters are fun but I don't understand the hype around this book.

I've reviewed each of these books but keep being prompted to review them again. I can't praise the writing talent of J.K.Rowling enough. And again I will say, there should be more books and more movies that promote acceptance, tollerance, standing up for one's beliefs, values and what is right vs what is easy. There are too many books and too many movies that plant the idea of violence for violence sake to make us all ill. And, please excuse me if I offend anyone here; Why is it that anyone thinks they need to write a book about finding God in a work of fiction? And for those who have complained since day one about what a threat the Harry Potter books and movies are to so called Christians, if a work of fiction, a work of cinematic art can threaten your faith then you have no true faith to speak of therefore, please keep your squeemishness to yourself. God and Christ put forth the ideas of acceptance, tollerance, standing up for your beliefs standing up for your fellow human beings and for all living things. The Harry Potter books promote these same healthy valuable life lessons so if that is a threat to you, well, bless you for you know not.

This book is my favorite out of the first four. The reason I like the fourth book the best is because it has the most details. For example J.K. Rowling described the dragons that Harry fights against very well. She does it well because she uses examples skin color and various things like that. Another reason I like this book the best is because it has a lot of action. One example of action was when Harry had to fight a giant spider. Another moment of action was when Harry had to fight the dragons. Also there was an example of action when Harry had to fight the merpoeple.The last moment of action was when Harry fought he-who-must-not-be-named. The last reason I liked this book was because of the vocabulary. It was interesting how the cruciatus curse came from the Latin stem cruc. Another vocabulary word I learned was Yule which meant Christmas. Also my favorite vocabulary word was hippogriff. A hippogriff is a half horse half eagle. The reason I chose the word is because it sounded cool. These reasons are why I think it is the best book out of the first four Harry potter books.

J.K. Rowlings never lets her readers down Harry's quest to be happy stays alive in this book. Also, he gets to meet the only family he has left which makes Harry very Happy at the end of this sequel!!!!

I read this book a few years ago, when the the thrill of Harry was in it's prime. I've seen the movie more times than I can count and I must say the movie is excellent but not as good as the book. I've just reread this book and can't beleive all I had forgotten. It's truly a page turner. From the start when Harry spots the Grim to when Mr Weasley warns Harry of Sirius Black's escape and hunt for Harry the reader is hooked. The Maurader's Map is a great addition to the Invisibility Cloak. The first 2 books were good, but you truly don't get into Harry until this book. Ron and Hermione's relationship is beginning to bud. Hermione is truly the goody goody in this installment. There were times I was mad at her with Ron and Harry. Getting the history of Harry's father's friends helped the story advance with background. This book also helps paint the picture of Snape and his hatered for Harry. The introduction of the Patronus is excellent. It's just as amazing in the book and the movie did a great job of reproducing it. All in all, I loved this book and recommend it to everyone who enjoys magic and fantasy reads.

This series is fun for kids and adults. My son and I are reading it together!

Good, solid storytelling. Ms. Rowling's third installment in the Harry Potter series continues to add interesting characters and create an even more appealing magical world for the reader to escape into. Each book has shown the gradual evolution of Harry from a neglected, abused child and mentored into a honorable young man. But the character-building journey is certainly a bumpy ride for young Potter. Moral messages and the complexities of the human condition abound as each new story has been introduced to the public. One of the underlying messages of the book is that most problems in life are not simply black and white, but more complicated. To convey this point in a fun, exciting manner is the sign of great writing. There's real heart to this series and deserves a wide readership.

I read this a long time ago and recently read it again. It is so good. I love the way that for once voldemort is not the center of this and I love the way you hear about the Marauders. I just have like, the perfect picture in my mind of them. This is one of my favorites in the whole series.

The story itself was quite amazing but I found it difficult to read at times. I think it could have been much shorter... I could not keep all of the people straight about halfway through the book. It must have been difficult to write this book with so many stories to tell but it bordered on boring and tedious at times. It would pick up for a while and then I'd be bleary-eyed again a few pages later.

I really liked the beginning of the story and felt connected to his mission and promise but then I started to think he was a bit off (good intentions surely) with his devotion and passion for these people at the expense of his own family. I also felt like he was a bit of a control-freak at times... Is there no one else who can accomplish this? Is he really the only one who can meet with so and so? Does he have to fly back to Pakistan or Afghanistan so quickly after the birth of his child... etc...etc.

I really enjoyed the cultural insights and appreciate Mortenson's perseverance to follow through with his promises. Kudos to his wife Tara Bishop for her perseverance as well. When they got married she sort of "signed up" for the building of the Korphe school but the endless promises to do more and more for people on the other side of the world while leaving his own family behind, would have sent many a wife packing.

One last thing that concerns me is that while the intentions are great, I can't help but wonder if the schools will be able to continue to be used for their original intent or if they will be taken over by extremist groups that will use them to promote their own hateful agendas.

BOTTOM LINE: THIS BOOK IS DEFINITELY WORTH READING - IT GIVES ONE MUCH TO THINK ABOUT AND OPENS OUR EYES TO THE INNOCENT PEOPLE WHO ARE HURT IN THE MIDST OF POLITICAL TURMOIL.

Truly one of the most inspirational books I have read in awhile.

The beginning of this book is a little slow, focusing on Greg Mortenson's climbing expeditions that eventually leads him to find the people of Korphe, and promising them a school. After coming back to the states and scrounging up funds from philanthropists, Mortenson goes back and builds many schools in various regions through Pakistan/Afghanistan/Waziristan. And the story of his determination and the struggles he goes through are extremely inspirational. There is no other words for it other than that. It is no wonder this book has been sitting at the top of the best sellers list for awhile. You will walk away feeling like any struggles you encounter can be overcome, the same way Dr. Greg overcame his.

Great book, highly recommended to anybody looking for something well-written and uplifiting.

After reading this book, I purchased 10 more and passed them to friends upon the condition that they pass it on as well. When considering bringing destruction in another country, it would be important to be able to look the citizens of that nation in the eye. This book may be the closest any of us come to doing that in Afghanistan. It is about compassion, respect for differences, autonomy, and ultimately a passion for learning innate in all children. It is a fascinating and necessary read. Mortensen's drive is contagious.

Sadly, I recommended this title for our book club to read. I went off all the rave reviews and thought it would be great. I really wanted to love it. But ended up closer to hating it. Here's a few thoughts on why I don't like this book or the story that's boringly told in it:

- Greg Mortenson is made out to be some kind of hero in this book. In my opinion he is not at all. The only "hero" here if there is one would be Jean Hoerni, who donated over a million dollars to build all the schools. Greg is a man who loved climbing, the mountains, and traveling. He didn't like to settle down and commit to anything, so going back to Pakistan over and over fueled those passions.

- Reading this book I feel like Greg hates America. I don't understand why he kept coming back to sleep in the hallway floor and struggle so much. Why didn't he stay living in Pakistan, where he seemed to like it so much better?

- He cared/cares more about those people in Pakistan than he does his own family. He spends months on end with those children, all the while abandoning his own. He leaves his wife and kids alone to make other people's lives "better" while not giving of himself to his family, that really matter. They ask nothing in return, while the Pakistani's prove greedy in asking for more, more, more. How good of a father and husband is he to his family considering he's gone for months on end and to top it off half the time doesn't haven the decency to even call to keep in touch.

- Throughout the book he badmouths rich people, yet his very existence of what he is doing relies upon them. He is literally biting the hand that feeds him.

- He was SO irresponsible with the money! Case in point: Hoerni left a million dollars for the foundation. Each school costs $12,000 to build. At one point in the book he had built 22 schools and they said he was financially struggling and down to $100k! The numbers don't add up. What was he doing with all the money? Case in point number two: Jean Hoerni's wife left the foundation board because she felt he was so irresponsible. That said A LOT because it was her husband's money. She saw what I see and what so many other people who give this book five star reviews don't see! He wanted to be on "Greg time" and not account for his time. That's because he was probably off spending foundation money on traveling! He was irresponsible.

- Another waste of money is one point when one of his library assistants hops a plane to drive with him to a destination in Pakistan. Huh? How much was that? I can't see that was needed. Someone wanted to take a trip!

- It took three years to build the first school (and almost that long to read the first half of the book it's so drawn out and boring). Three years? Give me a break! I'm not buying it. There's no way it takes three years to build a five-room school house - even in Pakistan!

- His belief that you build schools to end terrorism is faulty. Unless you can control what is being taught behind those walls it does not tackle the problem. Hate and terrorism could be taught in there, just because they have a building doesn't mean they are teaching love and respect. Plus, it's bribery if you ask me. Back in grade school do you remember the big kid that would want your desert to not pick on you or be your friend? Same concept. You don't buy off bullies so they like you - whether it's with cookies or by building schools.

- He built more than schools, he build women's sewing centers (calling them vocational centers), places for men, etc. The Pakistani's took advantage of the kindness of building one school and then pestered for everything else. Greed!

- People do not need a school house to learn. This book makes it seem as though you put up a building and all problems are solved. Not true. You don't need a building to learn. You could meet indoors/outdoors each day somewhere, even alternating the place each day and still get a good education. The school does not make for an education. What teaches people are having people willing to provide an education and students willing to learn, the building is a secondary item that does not make or break an education.

- I got sick of the "especially for girls" part. Whenever they talk about building schools they like to say they build them for children, "especially for girls." Nonsense. He says that to play on people's heart strings and get them to open their wallets. It's gender bias as well. The schools were for all children. Don't play into the sales pitch designed to get wallets open faster by saying "especially for girls."

- Which brings me to my next point. He respects girls/women so much that on page 290 he makes a "run of the mill" Republican comment about Ms. Bono and how her looks have helped her along. What was that? Totally uncalled for and degrading.

- Is there nothing we could do in America to make it a better place? Why is it that when people want to help they always want to help other countries and not America? Just a thought...

- Guess what was at the end of the book? You got it - a plea for money! Of course, Greg needs to keep taking trips over to Pakistan. He probably plans to re-build their entire country and at our expense, the country he seems to not care for. Needless to say, he won't be getting a check from me. My only regret is having purchased the book, which will give him money.

So for all those reasons I get this book a big thumbs down. I really wanted to like it, but wound up not liking it at all. I think people have a follow the herd mentality giving it five star feedback. I can't see why so many people have rated it so highly. They probably haven't even read it or thought about it.

This book changed so many of my views on the middle east.

Greg Morrenson should win the Nobel Peace Prize for his work.

Since there's already thousands of reviews on Ella Enchanted, there's no need to go into detail. I'll just say that this book is fabulous and has everything I could want in a book. It's wonderfully written with action, adventure, humor, wit, and a beautiful love story that isn't too mushy. I like re-reading this book so much that this is the second time I've bought it; my first copy was misplaced. This one is definitely Gail Carson Levine's best.

It's getting harder to find what I feel is appropriate reading material for my 12yr old daughter. She's not interested in the fantasy and mythology type books, she's a little too old for the kid's fairytales and not yet ready for the high school romance and more grown up subject matter. Ella Enchanted was a great find. A modern day twist on the old Cinderella classic with much better and more detailed character development then I expect for this age of audience.

The fantasy fiction book I read this month is Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine.

This story is about a young girl named Ella. When Ella was an infant she was cursed with obedience by a fairy named Lucinda. Lucinda gives people gifts that will curse them forever. Later on in the story, Ella tells a girl named Hattie her secret. Hattie takes advantage of her and tells her what to do all the time. Ella's mother dies so all she has left is her father, Mandy, and Prince Char. Her father is always trading away from home, Mandy is her servant and fairy godmother, and Prince Char is her best friend. In this story Ella struggles with the curse while going through bad and good adventures.

I liked this book a lot because it tells of a young girl with all her challenges and how she solved them. I sometimes wonder what it would be like to be in her position. I think this book is suited for middle school students.

This book is seriously one of my all time favorites even though I read it back in middle school hahahah. But the story is really good and I recommend it to all my friends that are girls, no matter what the age is.

I have read Gail Carson Levine's Ella Enchanted three times now, and every time I do it gets even better. Ella Enchanted takes the classic tale of Cinderella and enlivens it with spunk, humor, and personality.

At Ella's birth, a rather overzealous fairy named Lucinda blesses her with the gift obedience. From then on, she must do what she is commanded, whether she must do her chores, eat her entire birthday cake, or even kill, Ella is powerless against the will of her "gift." When her mother suddenly dies, Ella is left to be cared for by many non-caring persons: her often-absent and greedy father, her voluptuous step-mother, and horse-faced and devious step-sisters. But Ella's tenacity keeps her fighting for her own free will as she searches for a way to relinquish Lucinda's gift.

Ella's adventurous and charming nature keeps you smiling for the entirety of the book as she challenges hungry ogres, tricks her evil-stepsisters, tracks fairies, slides down castle banisters, and falls for the dashing Prince Charmont.

Levine incorporates the iconic elements of the Cinderella tale, such as glass slippers, a pumpkin coach, and the infamous ball, while breathing life into the surrounding plot and characters. It is a novel that I could read again and again, and has instantly become one of my favorites.

The novel is an ideal young adult princess/fantasy book for girls around middle school age, and is completely appropriate and innocent. It is typically around 230 pages and is a fast and uncomplicated read that can be enjoyed by youth and adults.

Levine has written many other books as well. I have read Fairest. (Ella Enchanted is still my favorite and always will be.) Both books follow a similar theme and give a similar message: the quest of a female protagonist who must accept/discover her true identity and self-worth, and is rewarded for her high character and tenacity.

Ella Enchanted is a must-have for every girl/woman.

This is a great book. It tells you about many of the problems that this country faces. You come to learn that many of these problems could have been avoided if well followed the rules by our founding fathers written in the US constitution. It is great to see that there is a man that I can trust that believes in personal freedom and equal rights, both socially and financially. This is something that neither republicans or democrats have. Too bad his campaign did not lead to success. A must read for anyone on the political spectrum, especially those who desire change.
Google: Ron Paul
Youtube: Ron Paul
Learn Something about this great man.
Buy this book. I normally am not a huge shopper. But this book was worth every penny.

This book helped open my eyes to the gradual erosion of the personal and economic rights and principles set forth in our Constitution. Ron Paul not only shows how and why legislators, with the help of the president, continually pass legislation that erodes our freedom and our economic well being, but he also offers solutions. If you read this book, you will likely be outraged at the shear audacity and ignorance of many of our elected officials. If enough of us become outraged, and follow up with actions to help restore our laws and policies to follow the Constitution, then we will have the "Revolution" that Dr. Paul espouses.

I am 20 years old, and first stumbled upon Ron Paul back when he originally declared his intent to run for President. I'd heard his name before, and immediately began seeing "Who is Ron Paul?" chalked all around campus. I always considered myself "conservative," but am attending school at a former East-coast hotbed for left wing radicalism (and where more than 85% of the people voted for Obama a couple weeks ago).

Curious, I looked him up, and was intrigued, but read some things about how "radical" he was and kind of dismissed it back then. Return to a gold standard? Seemed so crazy at the time...

Then the Bear Stearns bail out came along. Followed by AIG, and then the big whammy. I couldn't come to grips with this - everyone couldn't stop talking about how these institutions were "too big to fail," yet they were failing. Day after day, Bernanke, Hypocritical Hank, GW, everyone got on TV and basically started fear mongering. Presidential debates focused on "predatory lending," and "protecting the American people," when it seemed to me the real problem was that people borrowed money and could not pay it back. And now that they couldn't every man, woman, and child in America was supposed to pay $2000+ to save them.

To keep things short, I am only a recent Ron Paul convert, but I sure as hell hope he makes one more run at the White House in 2012. In under 170 pages, he has not only summed up all that is wrong with our country using principles everyone can understand, but he's offered very realistic solutions to these problems. Ron Paul is (and has always been) asking the questions we should all be asking, and need to ask, if we want to continue along as the world's most prosperous country (a status we've taken forgranted). I'll be spending the next 4 years of my life currying support for the Ron Paul Revolution. Give me liberty or give me death!

Ron Paul's manifesto has been well worth purchasing. What was most refreshing and worthwhile about this book is that Paul draws from a varied history of works. Paul presents an argument that has not been completely understood by the media, or by his own party. Ron Paul traces the meaning of conservativism in America from its roots to how it has transformed today into something barely recognizable. This is an especially interesting read now that the Republican party is undecided in which direction it should go in the future. Ron Paul maps out very neatly where he believes his party's focus should be.

Even if you do not agree with Ron's philosophy, you will experience a paradigm shift in the way you view politics.

This is a great book. It tells you about many of the problems that this country faces. You come to learn that many of these problems could have been avoided if well followed the rules by our founding fathers written in the US constitution. It is great to see that there is a man that I can trust that believes in personal freedom and equal rights, both socially and financially. This is something that neither republicans or democrats have. Too bad his campaign did not lead to success. A must read for anyone on the political spectrum, especially those who desire change.
Google: Ron Paul
Youtube: Ron Paul
Learn Something about this great man.
Buy this book. I normally am not a huge shopper. But this book was worth every penny.

This book helped open my eyes to the gradual erosion of the personal and economic rights and principles set forth in our Constitution. Ron Paul not only shows how and why legislators, with the help of the president, continually pass legislation that erodes our freedom and our economic well being, but he also offers solutions. If you read this book, you will likely be outraged at the shear audacity and ignorance of many of our elected officials. If enough of us become outraged, and follow up with actions to help restore our laws and policies to follow the Constitution, then we will have the "Revolution" that Dr. Paul espouses.

I am 20 years old, and first stumbled upon Ron Paul back when he originally declared his intent to run for President. I'd heard his name before, and immediately began seeing "Who is Ron Paul?" chalked all around campus. I always considered myself "conservative," but am attending school at a former East-coast hotbed for left wing radicalism (and where more than 85% of the people voted for Obama a couple weeks ago).

Curious, I looked him up, and was intrigued, but read some things about how "radical" he was and kind of dismissed it back then. Return to a gold standard? Seemed so crazy at the time...

Then the Bear Stearns bail out came along. Followed by AIG, and then the big whammy. I couldn't come to grips with this - everyone couldn't stop talking about how these institutions were "too big to fail," yet they were failing. Day after day, Bernanke, Hypocritical Hank, GW, everyone got on TV and basically started fear mongering. Presidential debates focused on "predatory lending," and "protecting the American people," when it seemed to me the real problem was that people borrowed money and could not pay it back. And now that they couldn't every man, woman, and child in America was supposed to pay $2000+ to save them.

To keep things short, I am only a recent Ron Paul convert, but I sure as hell hope he makes one more run at the White House in 2012. In under 170 pages, he has not only summed up all that is wrong with our country using principles everyone can understand, but he's offered very realistic solutions to these problems. Ron Paul is (and has always been) asking the questions we should all be asking, and need to ask, if we want to continue along as the world's most prosperous country (a status we've taken forgranted). I'll be spending the next 4 years of my life currying support for the Ron Paul Revolution. Give me liberty or give me death!

Ron Paul's manifesto has been well worth purchasing. What was most refreshing and worthwhile about this book is that Paul draws from a varied history of works. Paul presents an argument that has not been completely understood by the media, or by his own party. Ron Paul traces the meaning of conservativism in America from its roots to how it has transformed today into something barely recognizable. This is an especially interesting read now that the Republican party is undecided in which direction it should go in the future. Ron Paul maps out very neatly where he believes his party's focus should be.

Even if you do not agree with Ron's philosophy, you will experience a paradigm shift in the way you view politics.

The first two books in this series are a good read for 6-9 graders (advertised for these grades) but the 3rd and 4th series have some serious moral issues for this group. Alanna sleeps with three different guys in the last two books. I don't want my 6th grader to read these.....

A tale of growing up and acceptance with a strong female lead who shows, without being ultra feminist, that girls can accomplish anything that boys can.

Admittedly a huge fan of the "women-warrior, disguised as a man" characters, I have been disappointed time and again by peoples take on them, but not this time. The take on magic, the involvement of the gods, and the world, which holds different morals, gave to a very interesting atmosphere for the books to be set in. Alanna is a character that I couldn't help cheering for, and identifying with.

Granted as others point out, this is very obviously a first novel that will kick-off a series. And while I did enjoy it, I do prefer to have series of novels have the ability to be stand-alones.

A terrific kick-off, to what I hope to be a wonderful series.

My Mom bought me the series 10 years ago when I was 13... Since then I have read them over and over and over... I find them impossible to tire of and once I start reading I don't want to put it back down... although by now I have half the books memorized.
I started reading these books when I was 13 years old and loved them... now at 23 years old- I still love to read this series.
The Immortals series is excellent as well.

I did not realize when I bought these books that they were for young adults, I still thoroughly enjoyed reading about Alanna's adventures, friends and family. Alanna proved to the men again and again that "anything you can do I can do better". A great message to put out there for young girls. And even though it took me 1 day to read each book I just couldn't stop until I was done!

If you were born in the 40s as I was, in New York, reading this book will take you back to the time you 'heard' about the coaltowns in West Virginia. This story will match your memories ... not to mention your memories of the era it represents. I LOVED it!

escape via rocket, October 6, 2008
By V. N. Dvornychenko (Rockville, MD) - See all my reviews


Part "Angela's Ashes" (Frank McCourt) and part "I Aim for the Stars" (Werner von Braun), this book chronicles the efforts of a teenage boy to escape the confines of his West Virginia coal-mining milieu. Fourteen-year-old Homer/Sonny Hickam (the protagonist and author) is determined not to follow in the footsteps of his coalminer father - who is already showing signs of black-lung disease, a disease which will eventually kill him.

Homer/Sonny has an older brother, of whom he is very resentful. Among his brother's "sins" are ease with the girls, success at high school football - and most of all - favor with the parents. Normally there are only two paths for escape from Coalwood: the military, or a football scholarship.
The brother, Jim, holds a strong suit in the football option. Homer, slightly built and very nearsighted, knows he has no chance at footfall - and, so it would appear, with the girls. Then a miracle happens.

The "miracle" that provides a third avenue of escape is the launching of Sputnik by the USSR. The shockwaves produced by this event change American values almost overnight. Intellectual "nerds" suddenly become fashionable. Homer hatches a plan which he hopes will eventually land a job designing rockets for Werner von Braun. The plan is to design, build and launch model rockets. Homer collects a circle of followers - mainly other "nerds" -- and together they put the plan into action.

Besides the shockwaves produced by Sputnik, another kind of fault line runs right through the Hickam household. On one side stand Homer with his mother, on the other his father and brother. A major reason for the fault line is that the mother does not wish to see her sons follow the fate of her husband. But that is not all; it appears the mother has certain misgivings about her marriage. With her artistic bent, and something of a free-spirit, she harbors feelings that perhaps -- just perhaps -- she married beneath her station. A consequence of her frustration is that she succeeds in pulling Homer/Sonny over to her side, resulting in a more-or-less permanent rift with the father. It is also interesting to speculate what other personality traits may have resulted from Homer's closeness to his mother. Homer appears to have a penchant for being attracted to girls that give him conflicting signals - somewhat in the manner of Lucy of the famous comic strip, they entice him, only to pull the ball away at the very last second. Homer is also attracted to an "older" woman (though she is only in her early twenties), his science teacher, Freida Riley.

Although Homer appears to fear and hate everything about mining, some of the most spellbinding moments are excursions into the mine. His favorite science teacher would not, however, approve of the chemistry in the book, which contains several mistakes.

I began by characterizing "Rocket Boys" as part "Angela's Ashes" and part "I Aim for the Stars". In retrospect, is little doubt that "I Aim for the Stars" constitutes the minor component. Although much of the book details the design and building of rockets, Homer's fascination with rocketry and Werner von Braun appears to be mostly motivated by this "ticket out of Coalwood." The epilogue to the book reinforces this. After some delays, Homer Hickam does indeed go to work for NASA, and enjoys a successful career. But sadly, no speculations appear in the book regarding man's role in the cosmos - the "extraterrestrial imperative" Krafft Ehricke called it - nor did any subsequent books on astrodynamics or space theory emerge.

The author produced a sequel "Coalwood Ways." Published only two years later, it covers much the same territory, but has a very different flavor. It concentrates on interpersonal relations, and is much "sweeter" in its outlook than its precursor. It gives the appearance that the author underwent some personal event between the two books which changed his outlook. A film, titled "October Sky," was made based on "Rocket Boys." It has a different flavor yet. "Rocket Boys" is a fine book, and after all is said and done, it would appear that Homer Hickam's true calling is writer.

THE EXPERIMENTS DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK ARE VERY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD NOT BE ATTEMPTED.

Loved this book. Was on the last chapter when I threw October Sky into my Netflix queue; Hoping I'd have it in hand when the book was finished. Timing was perfect. As usual, the book eclipses the movie, but both are great. Passing it onto my 10 year old son who already has aspirations of going into the sciences. Enjoy!

Was purchased due to a requirement by my childs school. He has informed me it is a good book.

Homer Hickam grew up in a rural isolated mountain town but went on to win the National Science Fair.

This book is his story and how he was successful.

I bought 24 copies of this book to inspire my advanced 6th grade Reading class. They loved the book. In our discussions they mentioned never giving up. Homer and his friends kept trying until they had success.

Thank you for sharing your life with us, Mr. Hickam.

I really loved this book. I have to admit I have not been as aware as the genocide in Rwanda as I should have been. It's hard to believe things like this are happening in this day and age. I've always struggled with the issue of absolutely evil things happening to good, decent, or innocent people. Why would God allow these things to happen? This book does not answer that question. That is a question left for the ages, but it does give me more faith that just maybe if something horrific happened to me I could have the faith to endure. This book also made me appreciate life even more fully. Thanks for sharing your story.

Words can not come close to describing the impact this book has had on me. I cannot get Immaculee out of my mind. I first listened to this author and survivor being interviewed on a Catholic radio talk show. I decided to see what she had to say - the graphic detail of the genocide in Rwandan from her perspctive is riviting. I feel like I know her and her family and I have mourned for them. If you are having a hard time forgiving anyone for anything read this book. This woman leads a new life now and God has placed her in our midsts as His instrument to teach us how to forgive and love. In spite of the horrific holocaust of these dear human beings, Immaculee shows us the way to a deeper faith through her own personal experience. Recommend this book to people of all faiths.

This is a great book I just cant believe that during this trajedy I was in high school in the US and did not know about it I think it should be mandatory reading

I'm just finishing this book and I am in awe of her faith, and her strength and those of her fellow occupants of this - smaller than any convicts cell - bathroom. Through the chronicles of history we hear this happening, and yet we did nothing in 1994 while a whole tribe of Tutsi's were almost annihilated. What kind of blood lust has one human being going after another human being with such malice & hate? I have purchased the DVD. I have seen Hotel Rwanda - and - Sometimes in April (must see by all) and you feel the sorrow and the pain in knowing while you're hiding, others are dying around you. Pastor M took a real chance hiding these women - his entire family was at risk. I know I could've had hidden her and the other women. What I don't know is if I would've been strong enough to survive.
Genocide in any form is not to be tolerated - from 1915 genocide of the Armenians, in the 30's the Aboriginal integration program in Austrailia (Rabbit Proof Fence) to the 40's Hitler trying to wipe out the Jewish people, and yet the people of the world allowed this to happen in 1994.
I wonder - could any of us be strong enough to say "no - that's not going to happen in my neighborhood" and hide your neighbor or strong enough if the shoe were on the other foot and we had to hide??

An excellent book written with such human feelings I was amazed at the cruelty on one side and the love on the other!