The New David Espinoza - Hardcover

by Fred Aceves (Author)

This story from the acclaimed author of The Closest I've Come unflinchingly examines steroid abuse and male body dysmorphia. Perfect for fans of Jason Reynolds and Matt de la Peña.

David Espinoza is tired of being messed with. When a video of him getting knocked down by a bully's slap goes viral at the end of junior year, David vows to use the summer to bulk up-- do what it takes to become a man--and wow everyone when school starts again the fall.

Soon David is spending all his time and money at Iron Life, a nearby gym that's full of bodybuilders. Frustrated with his slow progress, his life eventually becomes all about his muscle gains. As it says on the Iron Life wall, What does not kill me makes me stronger.

As David falls into the dark side of the bodybuilding world, pursuing his ideal body at all costs, he'll have to grapple with the fact that it could actually cost him everything.

A Chicago Public Library Best Teen Fiction Selection

A Banks Street Best Children's Book of the Year

How far would you go to stop being a target?

• A Raw Coming-of-Age Story: After a humiliating video of him getting slapped goes viral, David Espinoza decides he's done being the victim. This summer, he's going to become a new man--no matter the cost.
• Tackling Body Image Issues: David finds a home at Iron Life gym, but his quest for the perfect body leads him down a dangerous path of obsession, questioning what it truly means to be strong.
• Important Social Issues Fiction: Perfect for fans of Jason Reynolds and Matt de la Peña, this novel takes an unflinching look at bullying, steroid abuse, and the pressures young men face.
• Authentic Latinx Voices: A powerful and relatable story about identity, family, and self-esteem from a vital voice in young adult literature.