Spare Parts by Joshua Davis

Davis tells the story of four Latino teens  from a disadvantaged community and high school in West Phoenix who compete in a national underwater robotics competition in the college division.  With a budget a fraction of MIT's, the teens design "Stinky," a funny-looking but remarkably effective underwater robot built with such materials as PVC pipe, string, a balloon and a milk container.  Confronted daily with issues of poverty, violence, and, in one case, the reality of being illegal, Oscar, Luis, Cristian and Lorenzo combine their various talents with the support of two dedicated teachers to qualify for the championship in Santa Barbara.  Alternately inspirational and sobering, Spare Parts is a compelling story.