ROCKET BOYS

NASA engineer Homer Hickam recalls how building rockets in the wake of the Soviet launching of Sputnik changed his life. Tom Stechschulte reads with a nostalgic tone and a hint of West Virginia accent, delivering the details of life in a coal town in a voice that reflects the author’s humor, fondness for the people and events of the story, and youthful naïveté. Stechschulte's voice also excels in the dramatic moments, such as the mine tragedy and Homer's father's illness. Stechschulte even accomplishes the rare task of making the process of learning calculus sound exciting. As Hickam recounts how his rocketry goals fueled a passion for learning and brought his town together, his story has lessons for kids and parents alike. J.A.S. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2009]