Chapter 5, Quentin- Chapter 6, Mr. Bykovsky Summary and Analysis

Sonny approaches the "class joke," (p. 61) Quentin, about how to build rockets. Sonny asks what Quentin knows and the boy shares information about the history of rocketry and the various propellants that have been used. Quentin shares, "Newton's third law. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction" (p. 65). Sonny has the leadership skills and ability to acquire materials and Quentin has the scientific knowhow to help Sonny start to figure out rocketry. Sonny and Quentin want the same thing, to build rockets and end up at Cape Canaveral. Dorothy and Sonny start to study biology on Sunday afternoons. Sonny uses his scrip and money earned from delivering newspapers to shop for saltpeter, sulfur and charcoal for rocket fuel. Quentin and Sonny develop and test rocket fuel. Sonny realizes that without...