Spare Parts, Joshua Davis
Spare Parts, Joshua Davis
4 Rating(s)
List: $19.99 | Sale: $13.99
Club: $9.99

Spare Parts
Four Undocumented Teenagers, One Ugly Robot, and the Battle for the American Dream

Author: Joshua Davis

Narrator: Will Damron

Unabridged: 6 hr 51 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 12/02/2014


Synopsis

Joshua Davis's Spare Parts--now a major motion picture--is a story about overcoming insurmountable odds and the young men who proved they were among the most patriotic and talented Americans in this country—even as the country tried to kick them out.

Four undocumented Mexican American students, two great teachers, one robot-building contest . . .

In 2004, four Latino teenagers arrived at the Marine Advanced Technology Education Robotics Competition at the University of California, Santa Barbara. They were born in Mexico but raised in Phoenix, Arizona, where they attended an underfunded public high school. No one had ever suggested to Oscar, Cristian, Luis, or Lorenzo that they might amount to much—but two inspiring science teachers had convinced these impoverished, undocumented kids from the desert who had never even seen the ocean that they should try to build an underwater robot.

And build a robot they did. Their robot wasn't pretty, especially compared to those of the competition. They were going up against some of the best collegiate engineers in the country, including a team from MIT backed by a $10,000 grant from ExxonMobil. The Phoenix teenagers had scraped together less than $1,000 and built their robot out of scavenged parts. This was never a level competition—and yet, against all odds . . . they won!

But this is just the beginning for these four, whose story—which became a key inspiration to the DREAMers movement—will go on to include first-generation college graduations, deportation, bean-picking in Mexico, and service in Afghanistan.

Finalist for the J. Anthony Lukas Book Prize
New York Times Best Seller

About Joshua Davis

Joshua Davis is the cofounder of Epic Magazine and longtime writer at Wired, where his work was nominated for a National Magazine Award for feature writing. He is the executive producer of the critically acclaimed Apple TV+ series Little America, which tells stories of immigrants across the United States. He is also the author of The Underdog, a memoir about his experiences as an arm wrestler, backward runner, and matador. He lives in San Francisco with his family.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Michael on December 16, 2016

Speaking as a kid who did the same robotics contests at more or less the same time (FIRST 2002-2004, MATE 2005), Spare Parts is the real deal. They were four kids born in Mexico and living in the bad part of Phoenix, undocumented immigrants with one shot at glory. Oscar was ROTC, a born leader. Lore......more

Goodreads review by Eric on September 19, 2017

Back in their dorm room, Fredi and Allan were worried. The robot wasn’t working, and the kids were scheduled to go in front of the NASA and Navy experts within hours. Stinky was turning out to be a failure from the outset. The kids felt defeated before the competition had even begun. Oscar wasn’t re......more

Goodreads review by Yelania Nightwalker on April 24, 2015

Este libro fue una verdadera sorpresa. Me lo topé de casualidad en Sanborns y después de haber leído la sinopsis supe que debía leerlo, la verdad es que no me arrepiento. Se nos cuenta la historia real de cuatro chicos, inmigrantes mexicanos, cada uno con familias y motivos tan diversos pa......more

Goodreads review by Brian Rosenblat on February 12, 2015

This was an enjoyable book based on the true-story of how 4 high-schoolers at Carl Hayden Community High school in Phoenix unseated some of the top collegiate engineering teams at a national underwater robotics competition. At its core is the well worn, root for the underdog storyline. But this time......more


Quotes

“Perhaps the most gripping popular-science book I have read.” —Noel Sharkey, Nature

“A great feel-good tale of scrappy underdogs beating long odds. But there's more to the story, and Spare Parts illuminates the human side of two polarizing political issues: immigration and education . . . Spare Parts is a delightful book . . . A great American story.” —Peter Carlson, The Washington Post

Spare Parts is an unforgettable tale of hope and human ingenuity. Against a backdrop of urban desert decay, a faltering school system, and our country's cutthroat immigration policies, Joshua Davis offers a moving testament to how teamwork, perseverance, and a few good teachers can lift up and empower even the humblest among us.” —Héctor Tobar, author of Deep Down Dark

“It's the most American of stories: how determination and ingenuity can bring triumph over long odds. There are too few stories like these written about Latino students. Poignant and beautifully told, Spare Parts makes you feel their frustration at the obstacles and indignities faced by Cristian, Lorenzo, Luis, and Oscar--and to cheer as they rise to overcome each one of them.” —Sonia Nazario, author of Enrique's Journey

Spare Parts is one of those rare stories that grabs hold and doesn't let go. It's hilarious, sad, and beautifully told. It will make you think hard about what it means to be American and where we will find the next generation of talent.” —Chris Anderson, author of The Long Tail

“This is hands down my favorite kind of story: underdogs plus ingenuity plus pluck and dedication equals a deeply moving and touching narraitive. I love these kids!” —Adam Savage, cohost of MythBusterst

“This is important reading.” —Booklist (starred review)


Awards

  • Lukas Prize Project - Finalist
  • Booklist Editors' Choice