Ready, Set, Go!

On Thursday evening, Aug. 11 at 6 p.m., Watertown Cub Scout Pack 30 will launch their rockets skyward at Gore Place, Waltham. The public is invited to bring a picnic and watch the fun. The Watertown Free Public Library will supply dessert, appropriately matched to the rocket launch!

This event introduces this year’s ONE BOOK ONE WATERTOWN program, which features the biography “Rocket Boys” by Hiram H. Hickam, Jr. The book is the true story of a group of boys in the 1950s coal mining town of Coalwood, West Virginia.  They became inspired by the great space race that was going on in the outside world and longed to be a part of it. It is the personal story of Hickam, whose passion for space exploration and learning ultimately led him out of West Virginia to a job with NASA.

Library Adult Services Supervisor Jill Clements will talk about Hickam’s book at the rocket launch, and will highlight the other events planned for early fall. The author has corresponded with Ms. Clements over the summer and provided much interesting background information on his professional life and on his reasons for writing “Rocket Boys”.

Hickam’s story is a type of teen age “coming of age” tale. It is also the story of overcoming tremendous cultural, economic and educational odds in pursuit of a dream. He believes that all young people should have passionate goals that they work hard to achieve.

“Rocket Boys” was turned into the 1999 movie “October Sky” which will be screened at the library as part of the ONE BOOK ONE WATERTOWN program.  Other space related programs for children and adults will be held throughout September, along with several book discussions about the title.

For full information on ONE BOOK ONE WATERTOWN, 2011 go to the library website www.watertownlib.org