Who is Homer from Rocket Boys: A Memoir and what is their importance? Rocket_Boys English & Literature Homer | Rocket Boys: A Memoir

Sonny is the second son of Homer Hickham Sr. and Elsie Lavender Hickham. A happy child from birth, he is near-sighted, a poor athlete, and a bit of a misfit who has a difficult relationship with his father who wanted a daughter and not a second son. Beaten up by certain other miner's sons, because his father is the Coalwood mine superintendent, and therefore considered the enemy by many union fathers who work in the mine, Sonny has a core group of boys who are his friends. His life is forever changed when the Russians launch the satellite Sputnik I. It flies over West Virginia and he is inspired to build rockets.