October Sky, written by Lewis Colick, is about a boy named Homer trying to become something more than just a miner in his town of Coalwood.  Homer had obstacles in the way of his amazing dream that he had and wanted to accomplish after watching the satellite, Sputnick, travel across the sky above him.  Homer’s father, John Hickam, never approved him having rockets as a hobby, because John wanted Homer to follow his footsteps as a miner.  Peer pressure, his father, and the teachers at school wouldn’t keep Homer from his dream.

            In school, Homer had to talk to a kid that could help him accomplish his goal with building a great rocket, but kids in school were staring furiously and silently at Homer while he was talking to the lone student.  The school kids talked amongst themselves about why Homer was talking to the unpopular, geek student.  Peer pressure wasn’t the only thing that would be in the way of Homer’s dream.

            The teachers in Homer’s school didn’t approve of Homer and his three other pals helping him on building a rocket because of their own and the town's safety.  Miss Frieda Riley was the teacher Homer had respect for because she believed in him.  The boys were struggling with everyone about what they wanted to go beyond, but they soon had a lot of  inspiration from people in the town after much practice in building the perfect rocket to show off.  Though they did accomplish this, Homer still had a few problems of his own.

            Homer’s father had not seen one of his successful rocket flights.  Homer had gotten into fights with his father about wanting to do this as a hobby.  Homer’s mother threatened to leave her husband if he wouldn’t watch one of Homer’s flights.  She didn’t care if he didn’t enjoy the flights, but she only cared about him being there for his son.      During the last flight Homer and his friends were about to launch, Homer gave thanks to the people who helped him, and during that speech, Homer’s father entered the crowd.  Homer couldn’t have been any more honored and happier.

            Homer had many obstacles in his way to accomplishing his dream from something huge that inspired him greatly.  Though we have obstacles in the paths of our dreams, the obstacles only help build a bigger strive to success.