Homer "Sonny" Hickman, Jr.
Sonny Hickman was the president of the Big Creek Missile Agency. He had dreams of becoming a scientist, inspired by Dr. Wernher von Braun. He was the son of Homer and Elsie Hickman.
Rocket boys: Roy Lee, O'dell, Sherman, Sonny
The rocket boys, were the group of boys who launched the first rocket. They formed a group called the Big Creek Missile Agency. Sonny was president, O'Dell was treasurer, Roy Lee provided transportation, Sherman was in charge of publicity and setting up the rocket range, and Quentin was the scientist. These boys worked together to build and launch rockets. They first were doing this for fun, but later was interested in competing in the science fair.
Elsie hickman
Elsie Hickman was the mother of Sonny and Jim Hickman, and the wife of Homer Hickman. She encouraged Sonny to never give up on his dreams of becoming a scientist. She wanted him to get out of Coalwood and believed that he could do it. She wouldn't let him give up building his rockets, even though it went against his dad and others in Coalwood.
homer hickman
Homer Hickman was Sonny's dad. He was the superintendent of the mine. When he found out about Sonny building rockets, he forced Sonny to build them outside of Coalwood. Although he was against it, he showed him a place to build the rockets, mostly so the disturbance would stop. Homer wanted Sonny to work in the mines, even as an engineer. He never really agreed with the rockets, but supported him in the end. He actually showed up for a rocket launch.
Jim HICKMAN
Jim Hickman was Sonny's brother. He was a star of the football team. He thought what Sonny did was girly and embarrassing to the family, because of the rockets he built.
Miss Riley
Miss Riley was Sonny's chemistry teacher. She bought Sonny a book about rockets, and encouraged him to participate in the science fair. She always had faith in him and supported his rockets. She believed they could go to the national science fair and bring back a trophy to display in the trophy case.
Dr. WERNHER VON BRAUN
Dr. Wernher von Braun wasn't a character in the book, but was very important. Dr. von Braun was a scientist and Sonny's inspiration. He dreamed to one day make it as a scientist and go to work with him. He also sent Sonny a letter and encouraged him to never give up on his dreams.