More characters in the story include Elsie Hickam, Homer Hickam, Miss Riley, Jake, and more. Sonny's mother and father played a big role in the story as they helped Sonny deal with inner conflict in himself. Eslie disliked the mine, she hated it with all her heart. She would often get into fights with Homer about the mine and how he spends too much time there resulting in a lot of conflict. The BCMA could always count on these two people to give them help, Miss Riley and Jack. They were a couple as Miss Riley was there Chemistry teacher. She was the one who suggested they enter the science fair. Together she helped them by providing them with books and equations which helped them overall build their rockets along with many other characters.