Outline:
The Power of Resilience and Innovation
Few stories capture the essence of perseverance and triumph quite like a good underdog narrative. In 2014, Joshua Davis published his book “Spare Parts,” which tells the true story of four undocumented high school students from Phoenix who entered a robotics competition, defied the odds, and ultimately won the national championship. This powerful tale not only highlights their journey but also explores broader themes of resilience, opportunity, and the impact of community support.
Davis will be visiting Santa Cruz on February 24 to discuss the book as part of Friends of the Aptos Library’s Our Community Reads program. The event is just one of nine planned activities designed to bring the book’s themes to life, offering a range of experiences that encourage engagement with the material beyond traditional reading.
A Series of Engaging Events
The Our Community Reads program has grown significantly since its inception in 2018, when it was centered around Trevor Noah’s “Born a Crime.” Over the years, the initiative has expanded to include multiple library branches across the Santa Cruz Public Libraries system, including Capitola, La Selva Beach, Felton, and Scotts Valley. Past selections have included works such as “Flight Behavior” by Barbara Kingsolver, “The Monk of Mokha” by Dave Eggers, and “The Death and Life of Monterey Bay” by Stephen R. Palumbi and Carolyn Sotka.
Each year, a book selection committee reviews potential titles and narrows them down to four. These are then presented at voting parties held at various library branches. In 2023, the final choice was “Spare Parts,” selected by attendees who were impressed by its themes of overcoming adversity and achieving success against all odds.
Themes of Triumph and Resilience
The book follows four undocumented Mexican American teenagers attending an underfunded school in Phoenix. Encouraged by their science teachers, they enter the Marine Advanced Technology Education Remotely Operated Vehicle Competition. With limited resources, they build an underwater robot using spare parts and donations. Despite facing significant challenges, they manage to win the competition, proving that determination and creativity can overcome financial barriers.
The story also delves into the lives of these individuals after the competition, highlighting the struggles they face as undocumented immigrants in the U.S. The book was adapted into a film in 2015, further spreading the message of hope and perseverance.
A Variety of Events for All
The Our Community Reads program offers a diverse array of events to engage participants. Here are some of the key activities planned:
- Book Discussion: Facilitated by Casey Coonerty Protti of Bookshop Santa Cruz, this event will take place on January 22 at The Loft Coffee shop at Cabrillo College.
- Documentary Screening: A screening of the 2014 documentary “Underwater Dreams” will occur on January 27 at the Capitola Branch Library.
- Underwater Robotics Talk: On January 31, Knute Brekke will discuss building remotely operated vehicles, followed by a demonstration by the San Lorenzo Valley High School team.
- Immigrant Empowerment Panel: A panel discussion on February 5 will feature experts discussing immigration processes and legal services.
- Robot Sculpture Visit: On February 7, participants will visit Mario Guizar’s studio to explore his creative process and enjoy robot coloring pages.
- Writing Workshop: Anne Janzer will lead a session on writing underdog stories on February 10.
- International Student Experience: A conversation on February 17 will focus on the challenges faced by international students in the U.S.
- Author Discussion: Joshua Davis will speak about his experience researching the story on February 24.
- Dance Performance: The program will conclude with a dance performance on March 1 featuring folklórico and hip-hop styles.
All events are free, with some offering remote participation options. The program aims to inspire individuals to pursue their goals and believe in their ability to achieve success.
For more information on the events and how to participate, visit FriendsOfSantaCruzLibraries.org/our-community-reads.