Billy (Willie) Rose, Jimmie "O'Dell" Carroll,
Roy Lee Cooke, Quentin Wilson, not pictured: Homer Hickam
The film inspired by Homer Hickam's book
The Rocket Boys grew up in a small mining town in West Virginia,
where it wasn't unusual to start working at the mine after high
school. However, their teacher, Miss Riley, pushed them to pursue
their dreams, whatever they may be. They all went on to become college
graduates. Their story is captured by Homer Hickam in his book The
Rocket Boys, which was made into the film October Sky.
The film inspired by Homer Hickam's book