In the opening paragraph of this book, Homer "Sonny" Hickham, Jr. writes that "I didn't know my hometown was at war with itself over its children and that my parents were locked in a kind of bloodless combat over how my brother and I would live our lives" (p. 1). What does he mean by this statement? Why does Homer Sr. want Sonny to be a mine engineer? Why does Elsie want Sonny to find something outside the mine to work and live for? Which of Sonny's parents is right in what they believe?

How would you explain this book to another person? Is this a story for males or for females, or both? Before you read the book, were you afraid that the story would be too technical or boring because it deals with science and math and is based on history? Is this...