You Only Live Once, David Bravo - by Mark Oshiro (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

From Mark Oshiro, award-winning author of The Insiders, this time-bending adventure is perfect for fans of Sal and Gabi Break the Universe and When You Reach Me.

A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year * An ALA Rainbow Book List Top 10 Selection

Middle school is the worst, especially for David Bravo. He doesn't have a single class with his best (okay, only) friend, Antoine. He has to give a class presentation about his heritage, but he's not sure how--or even if--he wants to explain to his new classmates that he's adopted. After he injures Antoine in an accident at cross-country practice, he just wishes he could do it all over.

He doesn't expect his wish to summon a talking, shapeshifting, annoying dog, Fea, who claims that a choice in David's past actually did put him on the wrong timeline... and she can take him back to fix it.

But when their first try (and the second, and the third) is a total disaster, David and Fea are left scrambling through timeline after timeline--on a quest that may lead them to answers in the most unexpected places.

Coco meets Sliding Doors in this laugh-out-loud, heartwarming middle grade novel that explores how our choices make us who we are.

Review Quotes

"A joyful novel with a pick-your-path vibe. Both lighthearted and deeply moving." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"This funny, brave, charming novel is packed full of delights." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"A funny and unexpected twist on the time loop novel with moving and memorable results." - School Library Journal (starred review)

"The story about finding your place and your people that I wish I'd had as a kid. Héctor has my whole heart and I want to hug him and keep him close, but he belongs out in the world where he can inspire readers to honor themselves." - New York Times bestselling author Adam Silvera

"A classic in the making." - Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times bestselling author of The Belles

"Oshiro's intersectional saga conveys a strong message about letting go of secrets and, with help from loved ones, reclaiming space." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"So funny, the pages practically turn themselves. This time-bendy, big-hearted story asks all the important questions middle-schoolers have about identity, culture, orientation, and managing anxiety, and addresses them with equal parts kindness, heft, and hilarity." - Carlos Hernandez, author of Sal & Gabi Break the Universe

"A beautiful story of friendship, love, family and finding yourself that made me laugh and cry from start to finish. This book will make you wish that you, too, had a witty xoloitzcuintli to take you on the greatest adventure of your life." - Maulik Pancholy, Stonewall Honor-winning author of The Best At It

Praise for The Insiders: "Sometimes hilarious, sometimes devastating, but always full of heart, The Insiders carves out a space for us all to be our true selves." - Kwame Mbalia, New York Times bestselling author of Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky