On Thursday, April 14, NASA’s Glenn Research Center in partnership with the Cleveland Area Metropolitan Library System will host a discussion with Homer Hickam, author of “Rocket Boys” from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET. Dee Perry of WCPN radio will moderate the event.

“Rocket Boys”, the 2005 selection for the North Coast Neighbors Share a Book program, and the inspiration for the movie “October Sky”, is a best-selling novel-memoir based on the author’s coming of age in Coalwood, West Virginia. A coal miner’s son, Hickam dreamed of launching a rocket and sending it into space. His quest, which began with his friends and a homemade launch pad, eventually led him to an 18 year career with NASA during the shuttle era.

North Coast Neighbors Share a Book is an initiative of local libraries in the region known as “The North Coast” of Ohio, as well as surrounding areas. Based on similar “one book” events held in other cities, the program represents an effort to unite the community around a common theme – reading a good book – and being able to share thoughts and ideas about it with other people. Thursday’s event marks the culmination of the 2005 Share a Book program which featured dozens of book discussions throughout the community.

Hickam will speak to a capacity crowd in Glenn’s DEB auditorium. Two NASA Explorer Schools will participate in the discussion with Hickam through videoconference. The program will also be Webcast offering students and members of the public an opportunity to interact with the author through email.

The program will air live on NASA TV, available in the continental U.S. on AMC-6, Transponder 9C, C-Band, at 72 degrees west longitude. The frequency is 3880.0 MHz. Polarization is vertical, and audio is monaural at 6.80 MHz. In Alaska and Hawaii, NASA TV is available on AMC-7, Transponder 18C, C-Band, at 137 degrees west longitude. The frequency is 4060.0 MHz. Polarization is vertical, and audio is monaural at 6.80 MHz.

Media representatives interested in covering this event should call Sallie Keith or the Media Relations Office, 216-433-2901, to be cleared through security.

For NASA TV information and schedules on the Internet, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

To log on to the Webcast and for more information on the event with Homer Hickam, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/education

For more information on North Coast Neighbors Share a Book or related programs, visit:

http://www.camls.org/shareabook.html

For more information on NASA’s Glenn Research center, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/center/glenn