book review: "The Keeper's Son"...

... written by Homer Hickam. He wrote that wonderful story, about growing up in the south with friends who were fascinated by the idea of sending men into space. The title of the book, printed years ago was "Rocket Boys", which was made into a movie "October Sky". According to the fly leaf Hickam has written a number of other books, and is now retired from a successful career at NASA of: rocket scientist!

This book is apparently one of a series. The lead character, Josh Thurlow, lives on a fictional barrier island, off the coast of North Carolina. Men in his family have been lighthouse keepers for generations, responsible for the cleaning, fueling and lighting of the house on the coast, built to warn boatmen of the danger of shoals should they venture too close to land. Josh is certain he does not want to carry on this tradition, and desires a different path for his life. He joins the military, serves in the Coast Guard in Alaska, and return to Killakeet Island during WW II. You may or may not know there are documented accounts of German subs (U-boats) patrolling the Atlantic coast, sinking many US vessels? This tale involves German military, and actual landing by the troops from a U-boat on to the island. (Possibly influenced by the amusing movie "The Russians are Coming, The Russians are Coming!"?)

I will now admit to a bad habit I seem to have spontaneously developed: I pick up a book and start in the middle. It seems that lately, some of them have been slow to capture my interest if I start on page 1. So I just open near to center to see how things are going along... and will go back to the beginning if they seem to be worth reading. I started the Keeper book in the right place, but then closed it, and lost the thread, when I had to jump up to help my brother.  Picked it up on the way to bed and started in the middle and read on. Pretty good story, well written, and action packed.

Recommended if you want to start at either end, but it is much easier to follow the plot if you do start on page 1 and can get the players straight in your head. I will be interested in reading other books by Hickam, when I can get them from the library. It appears he has written some for young adults, as well as adventure and mystery themes. I did see the movie years ago, and thought it great, so will try to find more of his published work to peruse.