October Sky is a memoir by Homer Hickam, Jr. of his growing up in Coalwood, West Virginia during the late 1950s.
Assignments for October Sky
Review the study guide packet that was handed out in class.
Continue reading the book. Selected excerpts will be assigned for a more intensive analysis of the story.
Look up the definitions for the vocabulary.
Learn the definitions of the literary terms and be able to apply the terms to the book.
Participate in class discussions of the book.
Prepare questions for class discussion.
Watch the film and be able to compare the film with the book.
Complete quizzes and other written assignments.
Be able to define memoir and know its place in autobiographical writing.
Write a memoir. Click here for more on memoirs.
Use the Internet to search for background information about the setting and events in October Sky.
Write the critical lens essay. You will need good notes to do a good job on this paper, so start right away taking notes on the plot, characters, conflicts, and important passages. Collect good quotes that support the themes of the book. Note the page numbers for these quotes.
Find out what Coalwood, West Virginia, is like today. This
is the hometown of Homer Hickam, Jr., and the setting of the memoir.
