What are the motifs in Rocket Boys: A Memoir by Homer Hickam?

Coming of age is a recurring idea in this story. In the beginning of the story, Sonny is a fun-loving happy near-sighted, not very athletic kid who loves to read and play with his friends. He lacks a vision of his future, has no idea of what his individual potential and talents might be, and can't see a life for himself outside of Coalwood, West Virginia. Most boys who graduate high school from here either become miners or go into the military. After the Russians launch their first space satellite Sputnik, on October 5, 1957, Sonny's life changes.