Miss Riley is an important ally and friend to Homer—like Jake, Elsie, and Mr. Bykovski, she believes that he can succeed if he puts his mind to it. Miss Riley’s science experiments inspire Quentin and Homer to pursue new kinds of rocket fuel, in order to build the most fuel-efficient rockets possible. Many of the characters in
Rocket Boys turn to creative pursuits for peace and happiness, like Elsie with her painting, and Miss Riley with her poetry. These “creative pursuits” seem highly gendered, however: Homer, as a boy, turns to a public, scientific, and even violent activity, while Miss Riley and Elsie express their creativity privately and quietly—in essence, keeping it to themselves.