The New David Espinoza

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

• Male Body Dysmorphia: David sees a scrawny kid in the mirror. He’ll do anything to erase that image, even if it means erasing himself in the process.
• Steroid Abuse: Frustrated with slow progress, David finds a shortcut that promises the physique he craves, pulling him into a dangerous world of chemical enhancement.
• A Gritty Coming of Age Story: Forced to confront what it truly means to be a man, David’s journey is a powerful, character-driven story of self-destruction and the search for self-worth.
• Viral Humiliation: After a video of him being slapped goes viral, David’s name becomes a school-wide joke. His desperate plan to remake his body is a direct response to public shame in the digital age.

“Powerful, raw, and honest. A gripping and realistic tale of body image and toxic masculinity.” - Adi Alsaid, author of Let’s Get Lost

“Aceves’ novel addresses harsher details of steroid and muscle-sculpting drugs.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

"Searing and thoughtful." - Kirkus Reviews

“A much-needed novel about steroid addiction from the point of view of a high school boy who’s the victim of bullying.” - School Library Journal (starred review)

“Stands out through its examination of toxic masculinity, body image, and the dangers of pursuing perfection.” - Booklist

“An authentically told story that is both gripping and gut-wrenching.” - Publishers Weekly