IS THE BOOK CALLED OCTOBER SKY OR ROCKET BOYS?
The names are confusing to some, so let us explain. The actual title of Homer’s first memoir is Rocket Boys and it is the one he prefers. However, Universal Studios decided, for marketing reasons, to change the name of the movie based on the book. After much deliberation, Universal discovered that October Sky was an anagram of Rocket Boys (if you move the letters of Rocket Boys around, they spell out October Sky). Since Sputnik flew through the October sky when Homer (Sonny) first saw it, the movie studio latched onto the new title. The mass market movie tie-in paperback, the one with the orange and black cover, is the only version of the memoir which is titled October Sky. October Sky and Rocket Boys are both the same book … and the same letters too! Any letters or suggestions for additions to this website to help you and your students study and enjoy the Rocket Boys story are welcome and appreciated. Please write Linda Hickam LTHickam@homerhickam.com.
