Rivets and Sprockets

by Alexander Key

Dr. Bailey, his son Jim, Rivets and Sprockets have an adventure involving space marbles and Martians.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction

Hardcover

First published February 17, 1964

About the author

Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name

An American science fiction writer, most of whose books were aimed at a juvenile audience. He became a nationally known illustrator before he became an author. After he began writing novels for young people, he moved his family to the North Carolina mountains, and most of his books include that wild and rugged landscape.

His novel Escape to Witch Mountain was made into a popular film in 1975 and again in 1995. His novel The Incredible Tide became a popular anime series, Future Boy Conan.

He is known for his portrayals of alien but human-like people who have psychic powers and a close communion with nature, and who can speak with animals. In The Strange White Doves, he professed his belief that animals are conscious and aware, and have subtle ways of communicating, perhaps via telepathy.

The protagonists of Key's books are often ostracized, feared, or persecuted due to their abilities or alien origin, and Key uses this as a clear metaphor for racism and other prejudice. In several of the books (most notably The Case of the Vanishing Boy,) Key portrays some sort of communal withdrawing from society with a group of like-minded individuals. - Wikipedia -

Reviews

[Loco4Libros · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seriously, did my love of science fiction begin with the simple joy of reading Rivets and Sprockets some 30 years ago? Before I read Bradbury, Asimov or about Androids with Electric sheep and sleep, I was enthralled by these two. I must have checked this book out twenty times from the middle school library. My fifth grade buddy Tony and I started writing our own android adventures, inspired by this book.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like I missed out in being one of the few who didn't read this in the 80's. However I can see why people would have loved it. The characters are endearing and adventurous. My childhood self would have loved this. Deffinitely a great one for young "nerdy" readers. One I will pass on to students.

Thanks to the publishers for the ARC copy.

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book in elementary school. There were two other books in this series and they were all wonderful.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A science fiction story for children about robots and scientists traveling to Mars. A bit unrealistic, which is to be expected to some degree, but really Alexander Key has better stories. My personal favorite isThe Golden Enemy. Rivets and Sprockets was published before the 1969 moon landing. The illustrations are great though.

Favorite Passages:
DEDICATION
To all the boys and girls I know, of all ages and especially the right age, beginning with Zan, and including Jerry, Scotty, Patsy, Nick, Christina, Gloria, Paul, Marty, Herman, lots of Johns and Bills and Franks, a good Joe, a nice Sarah, and all the way down and up the alphabet to Debbie, Cindy, Betsy, and little Alice.
______

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

How I missed this adorable gem back when I was a kid I will never know, but if you haven't had the pleasure, definitely pick up this book. Two smart little robots and their family stumble upon a message from Mars and it doesn't sound good. To beat the evil professor, Sprockets calls upon the help of some very purple alien friends. The adventure continues on Earth, space, and Mars.

What a cute story! For those familiar with Witch Mountain, you know the caliber at which Key writes. Young boys and girls will find the robot brothers to be quirky and just a whole lot of fun.