dlberglund's review against another edition
5.0
Love. This book made me feel a lot of things-- passion for teaching, anger at other people's judgments, excitement for science, fear of what the next few years will bring for the Dreamers and kids (and young adults) like the ones in this book. There's a lot of hope in here, though the politics are unavoidable. A great book for all audiences.
mschlat's review against another edition
5.0
I cried while reading this book... It's one thing to have a kickass story of four lower income high school students beating college students (including some from MIT) at a robotics competition. It's another to continue the story and show what happens when the four students (all from Mexico, none of them citizens, two of them in the country illegally) cannot continue with their success and, in most cases, do not get four year college degrees.
My tears occurred when the students were praised for their engineering. Because they and their school were poor, they actually used simpler and more effective engineering principles than the teams that had bucks (and a ton of assumptions of how to do things). A heartbreaking book and a strong witness to those who can rise above and the laws that can bring them back down.
My tears occurred when the students were praised for their engineering. Because they and their school were poor, they actually used simpler and more effective engineering principles than the teams that had bucks (and a ton of assumptions of how to do things). A heartbreaking book and a strong witness to those who can rise above and the laws that can bring them back down.
blevins's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this one a lot. Both uplifting & frustrating, it is the story of a group of undocumented Mexican kids who get on a high school robotics team in Phoenix and who travel to California for a competition in 2004. Arizona at this time was a hotbed of anti-immigration zealots who were shouting from the rooftops about building a wall on the border & deport everyone who wasn't a citizen. Like these kids. I'm not going to spoil the story if you don't know about it but it is a very underdog tale with these kids taking on students with lots of money from MIT and other colleges. I was pulling for these kids and their PVC pipe robot like it was a sporting event by the end. The book not only tells their story but it also hammers home just how absurd Arizona and the government is regarding Mexican immigrants coming to America. It ticked me off to be honest, as there are a lot of morons out there and the politicians are at the front of the line. This has just been made into a film, no surprise. Unfortunately, it has George Lopez in the lead role. Shockingly it isn't a Disney picture, as they could have worked their Disney magic with it and taken the story to another level.
llkendrick's review against another edition
5.0
I love a true story about underdogs rising to the top and this book didn't disappoint. The movie about this event is coming out soon and I'm glad I read the book first!
megmro's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
I loved this, and would highly recommend it. The author gives a backstory on each student and the robotics teacher, and it really sets the stage for this David-and-Goliath triumph. Descriptions of the boys' creative problem-solving are interspersed with events happening around the nation, showing the political climate these undocumented teens faced.
The battle was not over, and there were still countless obstacles for these teens. It felt insurmountable at times, and your heart just aches for them.
There is a young readers edition, and I'm interested in reading it, just to see what is different. The only content warning I would give to parents is that sometimes they describe something as bada$$. :) Also, there are descriptions of poverty, alcoholism, and systemic racism that could be triggering. Overall, I'd feel comfortable recommending this to any teen. I wonder if the young readers edition is shorter, or maybe goes into the political details a bit less? Not sure, but I'd like to look into it.
Spoiler
I loved their triumph, but I really appreciated that the story continued *after* the big win at the robotics competition.There is a young readers edition, and I'm interested in reading it, just to see what is different. The only content warning I would give to parents is that sometimes they describe something as bada$$. :) Also, there are descriptions of poverty, alcoholism, and systemic racism that could be triggering. Overall, I'd feel comfortable recommending this to any teen. I wonder if the young readers edition is shorter, or maybe goes into the political details a bit less? Not sure, but I'd like to look into it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Hate crime, Racism, Deportation, and Racial slurs
planetarypan's review against another edition
5.0
What an amazing story that was in turns something to cheer and something to weep. I could write an entire commentary on how we treat immigrants in this country, but I am here to talk about the book. The author does a wonderful job of sucking you into each student's life, from Mexican roots to struggles with post-high school life. The structure and writing keep you engaged throughout, and not once does the pacing or commentary leave you bored. My heart was with these guys as they worked their way to the final competition, and I wept with joy when they started getting awards. I really hope they all end up with their dreams coming true -- I especially hope that Cristian manages to finish school. I was heartbroken that he had to drop out because of Arizona's laws.
casehouse's review against another edition
4.0
I heard the author speak on a radio show a while back, and this one went on my to-read list right away. Finally getting to it. My son is involved in FIRST Robotics, so I started with a little background info. I really enjoyed this book.
mjtrimbs's review against another edition
4.0
I was assigned this book to read for my university as a requirement for all incoming freshman. Had this not happened, I am fairly sure I would not have picked up this book on my own. However, the book did get its message across. It told the story of four immigrant high school students who managed to fight for their dreams and their right to be treated like humans. "Spare Parts" gives a lot of insight into the struggles of immigration and the politics that go along with it. I enjoyed the fact that the author spun the actual historical facts into a story. Frankly, I thought it made the book easier to read, due to it not being my normal cup of tea. It did take me a while to get through, but that might of been for the fact that I was on a train (and those are exciting for me)! The book is split into four parts with an epilogue (part 3 was my favorite) and in this edition there are photos of the actual students and robot, which helps to put names to faces. I don't know how accurate the movie will be, but I am looking forward to watching it right before school starts. Overall, "Spare Parts" is not as exciting or emotional like the fictional books I normally read, but it shows the reality of immigration, economic, social, and political issues. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a shorter read that will give some insight into the issues just listed and for anyone who wants to feel proud for actual humans and their courage.
catladyreba's review against another edition
4.0
This was such an incredible story. All too-real, and in some parts heartbreaking, but I think it's such an important book for people to read. It was an interesting mix of biography, science, and the social and political climate of the US, especially around the issue of immigration.
Only 4 stars because sometimes the voices of the 4 main characters weren't distinctive enough. It also seemed super succinct in parts, and honestly, I am not sure if that is a strength or weakness. There were absolutely parts of this book that could have been fleshed out more, but the brevity didn't necessarily take away from the narrative.
Only 4 stars because sometimes the voices of the 4 main characters weren't distinctive enough. It also seemed super succinct in parts, and honestly, I am not sure if that is a strength or weakness. There were absolutely parts of this book that could have been fleshed out more, but the brevity didn't necessarily take away from the narrative.