Chapter 11, Rocket Candy- Chapter 12, The Machinists Summary and Analysis

Sonny sets up so the rocket boys can create "rocket candy" using saltpeter and sugar. Homer Sr. comes home and questions Sonny about his engineer career aspirations. He makes a special plan with Sonny, to show him something he's never shown Jim. The boys launch again, with 50 spectators attracted by Basil's articles and their own notices. The audience is festive and gives the school cheer. Sonny has never known what it is like to be on the receiving end of the song. He likes it. Some football players are negative, but the crowd is positive and keeps singing. Some girls chant, "Go rocket boys, go!" (p. 163). The boys try out their electrical-ignition system. Quentin has a new invention, a 'theodolite" to figure out the altitude of their launched rockets. The rockets...