Homer "Sonny" Hickam, Jr. is the main protagonist
Jim is his star athlete brother
Homer Hickam, Sonny's dad, is the mine superintendent
Elsie Lavender Hickam is his mom.
Homer Sr.'s wife and their mom.
Quentin Wilson, a friend and a rocket boy
Jimmy "O'Dell" Carroll another friend and a rocket boy
Sherman Siers another friend
Roy Lee Cooke Sonny's best friend
Miss Riley is a chemistry and physics teacher at Big Creek High School who inspires the Rocket Boys to compete in the National Science Fair.
