N4L 117: "Spare Parts" by Joshua Davis

From a cryptic press release from Carl Hayden Community High School, former contributing editor for Wired magazine Josh Davis discovers a true David-and-Goliath story. Originally intended to be a historical document of 2014 immigration reform legislation, Davis’s magazine article goes viral and becomes the beginning of his bestseller Spare Parts: Four Undocumented Teenagers, One Ugly Robot, and the Battle for the American Dream. This underdog story of a ragtag team of poor illegal Mexican immigrants from West Phoenix, Arizona inspires even those most skeptical of the American Dream.

With little money, the boys scavenge spare parts and beg for donated materials from strangers to build an underwater robot (dubbed “Stinky”), which they enter in the National Underwater Robotics Championship. Even though the annual contest sponsored by NASA and the U.S. Navy attracts Ivy-League teams such as MIT, these underserved young men emerge as the unlikely winners. In Spare Parts, Davis captures their fierce determination, strict discipline, bright intellect, good humor, and unparalleled ingenuity.

KEY CHARACTERS

Christian

The brains of the robotics team; enamored with how things work Lives next to a junkyard in an 8x8 plywood box slapped onto the side of a trailer Makes use of the random parts landing in his yard during the monsoon season Fan of the Bob Vila home-repair T.V. show

Oscar

Team leader and highly patriotic ROTC member One of three Arizona State University 2009 graduates to receive “special honors,” presented by President Barack Obama Deports himself to Mexico, leaving behind his American wife and daughter After receiving permanent residency, serves in the United States Army

Lorenzo

Turns his back on a gang to join the robotics team, feeling a sense of true belonging for the first time in his life Learns the importance of creativity by watching his cousins repair cars in the driveway—their impromptu auto shop Nicknames the team’s underwater ROV “Stinky”

Luis

Big guy initially conscripted onto the team to do the heavy lifting, literally Quiet emotional ballast; peacemaker His love of cooking and cooking shows almost pulls him away from participating on the team

Fredi Lajvardi and Allan Cameron

Create the Carl Hayden robotics club Aim to inspire a new generation of scientists, explorers, and astronauts

QUOTES FROM DAVIS

“In the fall of 2013, Hollywood began filming a movie about the Carl Hayden robotics team….The attention paid to the team as a result of their victory coincided with a backlash against immigrants in Arizona. The state’s voters passed propositions 200 and 300, making it more difficult for immigrants living in the country illegally to attend college.” “It seems to me…that [immigration] can only be a good thing when people want to come to this country and contribute and build and drive economic activity. I would much rather they do that here and contribute to American society…or not have the opportunity where they come from.” “It doesn’t seem like we’re any closer now than we were four years ago to passing immigration reform.” “Supporting scholarships is a fantastic way for encouraging…hope for students who wouldn’t otherwise go to school.”

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

RECOMMENDATIONS
BUY Spare Parts (DVD)

Get a sneak-peek into Spare Parts (the movie).

Listen to Josh Davis describing the real characters' reactions to the filming of the movie.

Listen to Josh Davis describe the real characters' reactions to the filming of the movie.

Connect with us!

Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube Website

Special thanks…

Music Credit Sound Editing Credit