Sky of Stone

Coalwood #3

by Homer Hickam

Homer Hickam won the praise of critics and the devotion of readers with his first two memoirs set in the hardscrabble mining town of Coalwood, West Virginia. The New York Times crowned his first book, the #1 national bestseller October Sky, “an eloquent evocation ... a thoroughly charming memoir.” And People called The Coalwood Way, Hickam’s follow-up to October Sky, “a heartwarmer ... truly beautiful and haunting.” Now Homer Hickam continues his extraordinary story with Sky of Stone, dazzling us with exquisite storytelling as he takes us back to that remarkable small town we first came to know and love in October Sky.In the summer of ‘61, Homer “Sonny” Hickam, a year of college behind him, was dreaming of sandy beaches and rocket ships. But before Sonny could reach the seaside fixer-upper where his mother was spending the summer, a telephone call sends him back to the place he thought he had escaped, the gritty coal-mining town of Coalwood, West Virginia. There, Sonny’s father, the mine’s superintendent, has been accused of negligence in a man’s death — and the townspeople are in conflict over the future of the town.Sonny’s mother, Elsie, has commanded her son to spend the summer in Coalwood to support his father. But within hours, Sonny realizes two His father, always cool and distant with his second son, doesn’t want him there ... and his parents’ marriage has begun to unravel. For Sonny, so begins a summer of discovery — of love, betrayal, and most of all, of a brooding mystery that threatens to destroy his father and his town. Cut off from his college funds by his father, Sonny finds himself doing the taking a job as a “track-laying man,” the toughest in the mine. Moving out to live among the miners, Sonny is soon dazzled by a beautiful older woman who wants to be the mine’s first female engineer. And as the days of summer grow shorter, Sonny finds himself changing in surprising ways, taking the first real steps toward adulthood. But it’s a journey he can make only by peering into the mysterious heart of Coalwood itself, and most of all, by unraveling the story of a man’s death and a father’s secret.In Sky of Stone, Homer Hickam looks down the corridors of his past with love, humor, and forgiveness, brilliantly evoking a close-knit community where everyone knows everything about each other’s lives — except the things that matter most. Sky of Stone is a memoir that reads like a novel, mesmerizing us with rich language, narrative drive, and sheer storytelling genius.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Biography, Biography Memoir, Autobiography, History, Space

432 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 9, 2001

About the author

Homer Hickam (also known as Homer H. Hickam, Jr.) is the author of many best-sellers including his latest, Don't Blow Yourself Up. An eclectic writer, he wrote the "Coalwood Series," which includes the # 1 New York Times best-selling memoir Rocket Boys, (made into the ever-popular movie October Sky) the World War II-era "Josh Thurlow" series, the juvenile sci-fi "Crater" series, the adult thriller The Dinosaur Hunter, the romantic Red Helmet, and many others. Among his many writing awards are the University of Alabama's Clarence Cason Award and the Appalachian Heritage Writer's Award plus an honorary Doctorate of Literature from Marshall University. For more information on Mr. Hickam and his books and cats and everything else, please go to http://www.homerhickam.com.

Reviews

[Jeff Dickison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give this 4.5 stars if I could. This is an excellent sequel to October Sky or Rocket Boys (whichever you prefer). Homer goes to work in the mine and becomes a steel driving man. His parents are having differences and he feels caught in-between and his Dad's job is on the line. Another really good book by Hickam.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third and, alas, final volume in Homer Hickam's memoir trilogy. This volume deals with the summer after his first year at college. His mother urges him home to stand by his dad who is accused with negligence in the death of his mining foreman.

In a surprise twist, he takes a job as a common miner and joins the union. The title of the book Sky of Stone is the low dark ceiling of the coal mine- so different from the night sky but also similar because of the mica sparkles.

The truth cones out about his dad, he matures as the summer progresses and we are treated to an in depth look at a coal mining town in Southern West Virginia.

Homer did eventually work in Huntsville, AL after serving in Vietnam. He worked on the Hubble project, among many other space projects.

A remarkable man, a remarkable memoir.

I will now read more of his books.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent conclusion to the Coalwood memoir trilogy! I missed the camaraderie of the rocket boys, but was soon drawn into Sonny’s summer as a coal miner and the mystery surrounding Tuck Dillon’s death. These books are so well written and the town comes to life as an additional character. Really enjoyed the epilogue detailing the author’s professional life after the summer of 1961 and how he came to write these memoirs.

[Eric Proctor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rocket Boys will always be a special book for me. But, I must say, this book is nearly as good. It is inspirational and moving as you follow the college freshman Hickam in his return to Coalwood. The writing keeps you interested as you try to solve the mystery right along with him. I loved it and it was a great way to close out the series.

[Will G · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great memoir by the author of October Sky (the movie) or Rocket Boys (the book). This reads like a coming of age novel but in fact it’s a true story. I recommend this great read!

[Elizhlong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as first 2 in the Coalwood series, but I still enjoyed it. I especially was glad to read the epilog and learn what happened to Homer Hickam after this book.

[Byron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sequel to Rocket Boys continues many of the same themes, excluding building and launching rockets. The author's family reaches new levels of dysfunctionality, and the author reveals his adolescent naïveté and brashness in a way that ultimately paints him to be either a lucky SOB who got somewhere in life in spite of himself, or else an innately gifted person who overcame obstacles through a combination of persistence and helping hands from people all around who continually seemed to step in and give him a break.

What would otherwise have become a wearisome tale of adolescent foolishness is told in the context of a mysterious death that author Hickam tries to solve by playing Hardy Boy detective. On the one hand, I found it tiresome to hear the same old "that's Coalwood business" spoken by what seemed like 50 different people, but the mystery part of the story is well-told, and ultimately works as the best incentive to keep turning the pages. And although part of the solution to the mystery could be considered predictable, there are aspects of it's resolution that are totally unexpected, and clever enough to make one question their credibility.

Hickam is a good story teller, and the stories of Coalwood seem to capture a slice of Americana that may merit closer attention by us all.

[Nancyann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again Homer Hickam brings to life the coal mining town of Coalwood, WV. Sky of Stone is the third and final (although there is a prequel) in the Coalwood series, beginning with The Rocket Boys, The Coalwood Way, and ending with Sky of Stone. Sky of Stone finds Homer "Sonny" Hickam back in Coalwood the summer following his freshman year of college. Life is not flowing as smoothly as Sonny might like. His grades are not stellar, his mother appears to have left his father for Myrtle Beach, and his father is under investigation for a death that occurred in the mine. At his mother's urging, make that ordering, Sonny returns to Coalwood and encounters the cast of characters, with a few new ones thrown in, that we've come to relate to as our own. Dire economic circumstances cause Sonny to join the union and become a miner. Here is where author Hickam excels with his description of the mine interior and both the hazards and joys that are encountered each day. My minor complaint was at times the book read too much as a novel instead of a memoir, some of the dialogue seemed a script for a play, but other than that Sky of Stone is a fine book. Make sure to read the epilogue as Homer tells the reader what happened in his life after college graduation. Fascinating and impressive.

[J.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this read. I picked if up after reading Mr. Hickam's speech commemorating miners who died in an accident, and I was not disappointed. He has a flair for telling a good story, gets the dialogue and ethos of WV just right. This book is autobiographical and follows after the events in the Rocket Boys/October Sky. He tells the story of the summer after his first year in college, when he worked in the coal mines. There is a slowly unfolding mystery surrounding an accident, a growing understanding of his father, a development of his parents' relationship. Interspersed with fun stories about his crush on an apprentice engineer, a bet with boys from another town on his work, a moment of softball glory, etc. Highly recommend this as a good read about West Virginia, and Appalachian small town values, and life.

[Russ Jarvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable (and even inspirational) journey to rural West Virginia, mid twentieth century coal mining culture, and pre-Vietnam America. I visualized the actors from October Sky as I read. I felt the varied emotions of a young man coming into his own, moving forward into a meaningful and fruitful life based upon the solid love of family and community.

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another terrific book from Homer Hickam about his time in the little town of Coalwood. Lots for me to connect with, so these books have hit home a bit extra. Sky of Stone does have a bit of a 'whodunnit?', so that is an added touch, and things are often kept lighthearted as well as has been the style for all 3 of these books. Wonderful epilogue as well.

[woody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last book in the Homer Hickam memoir series. Homer is home from his freshman year of college. He needs money to fix the car he wrecked so he goes to work in the Coalwood mine.
Good conclusion to the series, enjoyable in a sad sort of way. Glad I read the book

[Talma · Rating 5 out of 5]

being from WV - love this author

[R.J. Roles · Rating 4 out of 5]

an awesome end to the coalwood series

[Sean Gillen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Homer doesn't disappoint. A really good read.

[Roy Burnham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read. Gives you the formative years of Homer Hickam before college. Great sequel to Rocket Boys

[Betsie Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was delighted to find this continuation of Sonny Hickam's young life. Prodigious. First-rate storytelling, Homer.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't realized when choosing this book that it is the third in a trilogy. You can bet I will go back and read the first two. Very enjoyable read of a true story of some admirable folks.

[Giridharan Karunagaran · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have read in my life. I am being very very sincere when I say this too.

[Stefanie Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another memoir by Homer Hickam. Hickam eventually grew up to work for NASA, contributing a lot to the space program. This memoir focuses on his life in Coalwood, West Virginia. In particular, this book focuses on an incident with his father in the mine where he worked. I think this series of books gives an amazing picture of life in coal mining towns and the struggles they face. It is especially interesting to compare today's coal mining towns to what they were in the 1950s and 1960s.

Hickam is very eloquent and paints a very vivid picture of his life experiences and memories. If you are interested in coal mining towns or the space program and want to learn more about Homer Hickam, I strongly suggested reading this triad of memoirs.

[Suzy Parish · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Proud of Huntsville’s Local Hero

This book is required reading if you have read Rocket Boys. Mr. Hickam weaves timeless truths in a story of struggle and triumph. I challenge you to make it through this book without tearing up. Here in Huntsville, we consider Homer a favored son. Thank you for representing this city so well.

[Greg Bittner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish Frank Capra were still alive. This book deserves a great film treatment. As much as I loved "Rocket Boys" and "The Coalwood Way," I think "Sky of Stone" may be the most engaging of the three, though you need to read the first two to appreciate the deep development of the characters in this installment. It was a long time coming, but the warming of relationships between Sonny and his brother Jim, and between Sonny and his parents, are wonderful. And I *loved* Rev. Richard's Fourth of July invocation on page 300. Some reviewers called this the "darkest" of the three books, I think because of the mystery and conspiracy that envelop the story. But, those merely provide the setting for the characters to grow. It's inadequate to say Homer ("Sonny") Hickam is an outstanding storyteller. His epilogue reminds you that these characters were real people, and his intricate descriptions bring them to life such that the reader gets to know them and care about them. I wanted to meet all of these people. The book has one of the most satisfying endings I've ever read, and there's even a "curtain call" with updates on characters from earlier books. Hickam's humility, authenticity, and faith make me glad to know him, in a sense, and if there were an opportunity, I would shake his hand and thank him for introducing me to the people of Coalwood, WV.

[Abhinav Ka · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sonny Hickam's tale that began with Rocket Boys, continues in style. Sonny is forced to come home to Coalwood during his college vacation, to give company to his father, Homer Sr., who is facing a trail by the coal company owners, who are investigating the accidental death of a foreman. Sonny wrecks his father's car and decides to pay for the repairs, by working in the mine. Obviously, the title refers to the mine, where the sky is made of rock and not of stars.

By and large, Sky of Stone is a proper sequel to Rocket Boys. However, it takes place over a much shorter period of time - a college vacation. We see into the lives of new characters, but don't hear much of Sonny's friends from Rocket Boys. Elsie Hickam and her wit is sorely missed, though she makes an appearance towards the end of the book. The same goes for Jake Mosby.

Sky of Stone is a mix of many things - a coming of age tale, a romantic yarn and a mystery novel. It is a must-read for the lovers of Rocket Boys - the book or the movie October Sky.

[John Valesano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition to Homer Hickam's life in Coalwood West Virginia. Homer has just finished his first year of college and is ordered, by his mother, to return home to support his father who is on trial for the accidental death of a mine foreman. He doesn't want to return home , but a series of misfortunes force him to stay home and apply for work in the mine. He inadvertently finds satisfaction and pride in his job as he struggles with sore muscles, debt and his father. With help, he eventually pieces together clues to a hidden set of circumstances surrounding the death of the mine worker.
Homer includes a brief epilogue which relates his future life events and successes.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Hickam's insightful look into his experiences as a track-layer 9n summer in Coalwood, WV. His father is the Supervisor of the operation, but that cuts no slack for his son. There is a distinct rhythm to the chapters, not lightening fast like a spy novel, yet filled with interesting characters and suspense. Of course, I am a fan of his book "Rocket Boys" and thoroughly enjoyed the movie "October Sky" which was based in that book. If you are in the mood for a good story that harken back to "growing up", this book will be satisfying.

[Will Waller · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, like its predecessor, ties everything up in a bow at the end. Plus, this can't be labeled a memoir because it reads just like fiction. Too many clean lines.

The writing is fair.

You learn more than the other books about how to mine.

The epilogue does contain more about Hickam's life that fascinates.

Read this book to finish out the trilogy.

[Cathy Wacksman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this story on audiotape and I did not care for the deep male voice trying to talk for the female characters so I don't recommend listening to it. Otherwise it is a good story to read between my usual long. serious historical fiction.

[Susen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful memoir.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that you start reading and lose yourself completely in it.

[Tim Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book. This one is #3 in the series; all well done.