Reading Metrics
Grade Level
Upper Grades (UG 9-12)
Book Level
5.9
Points
21.0
Fiction/Nonfiction
Nonfiction
Word Count
129931
Points per Word
0.000162
Page Count
428
Points per Page
0.049065
Description
This autobiography is a luminous story of the coming of age at the dawn of the 1960s.
Quick Summary
In 1957 Coalwood, West Virginia, four boys with big dreams launch homemade rockets into the sky, proving ambition can soar even from a tiny town stuck in time. Readers will cheer as Homer Hickam and his "Rocket Boys" face explosive mishaps and family doubts while chasing a future beyond the coal mines. If your kid loves "The Martian" or dreams of space exploration, they'll be captivated by this true story of curiosity conquering circumstance. Perfect for ages 13 and up, this book shines brightest for middle and high schoolers who devour stories about defying expectations.