Boy 2.0 - by Tracey Baptiste (Paperback)

About the Book

When thirteen-year-old African American Coal discovers he can turn invisible, he searches for answers about his past with the help of his friends and his new foster family.

Book Synopsis

"The origin story of our new favorite superhero." --Jason Reynolds, New York Times bestselling author

An action-packed superhero story from New York Times bestselling author Tracey Baptiste.

Win "Coal" Keegan has just landed in his latest foster home, with a big, noisy, slightly nosy family named the McKays. They seem eager to welcome Coal, but he's wary of trusting them. So, he doesn't tell them that he went for a walk with chalk in his pocket to cover a nearby street with his art. He doesn't tell them that a neighbor found Coal drawing, pulled a gun on him, and fired it. He doesn't tell them the police chased him. And he definitely doesn't tell them that when everything went down, Coal somehow turned invisible.

But he did.

Now he has to figure out how. Is he a superhero? Some kind of mutant? A science experiment? Is that why he has no family of his own? As Coal searches for answers and slowly learns to control his invisibility, he turns to the McKay kids and friends both new and old for help. But they soon discover they're not the only ones looking for a Black boy with superpowers, and the situation is far stranger--and more dangerous--than they ever could have expected.

Review Quotes

"I'm honestly not sure how Baptiste spun biology, anthropology, chemistry, politics, and foster care into a suspenseful romp about family and the extraordinary nature of ordinary people, but she did. And it's masterful. Is Boy 2.0 the origin story of our new favorite superhero? Or a metaphoric nod to the lives of everyday Black boys in America? Or...both? Either way, this is a special, special read."--Jason Reynolds, New York Times bestselling author of Long Way Down and Twenty-Four Seconds from Now

A Kentucky Bluegrass Award nominee
A Maine Student Book Award nominee
A Connecticut Nutmeg Book Award nominee
A Rhode Island Middle School Book Award nominee
A South Carolina Book Award nominee
A Virginia Readers' Choice Award​ nominee
A Washington, DC Capitol Choices Reading List pick
A Texas Lone Star Reading List pick
An Oregon Reader's Choice Award nominee
A Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award nominee

* "A thrilling superhero origin story.... Friendships new and old bring the perfect amount of ­levity and humor to a highly suspenseful story. Although this is a superhero tale, ­Baptiste beautifully weaves in a variety of significant topics like racial justice, science, and mindfulness... hopefully the origin story here paves the way for future adventures.
VERDICT This is sure to be a hit with fans of the X-Men franchise, but ­Baptiste's inclusion of real-world topics is the story's true superpower."--School Library Journal, starred review

* "With well-rounded characters and witty dialogue...Baptiste has created imperfect but sympathetic heroes whom readers will champion throughout the story."--Horn Book, starred review

"Baptiste combines common issues of identity and finding a home with an sf spin, ultimately presenting an absorbing plot. Her characters are thoughtfully multidimensional, from Coal to his supportive foster family to Door, the good-natured and irrepressibly funny best friend. Baptiste neatly contrasts Coal's sense of social invisibility to his actual invisibility, all of which leads him to finding his place in the world."--Booklist

"A Black boy has no reason to trust anyone and a lot to learn about himself.... The novel thoughtfully illustrates some of the harsh realities of being a uniquely vulnerable, dark-skinned boy in a world that refuses to see you and the resulting anxiety that can occur. Luckily Coal is surrounded by people who give him the support he needs in ways that are heartwarming and impressive, and they ultimately lead to a positive place. An experiment in grace and care that's as hopeful as it is imaginative."
--Kirkus Reviews

"Captivating. Innovative. Original. Perfection. Tracey Baptiste is a masterful storyteller. Once again she's given us compelling characters and an unforgettable story about the magic and miracle of family, friendship and legacy." --Renee Watson, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Black Girl You Are Atlas and Piecing Me Together

"Propulsive and dazzling from the very first page, Boy 2.0 is as ingenious as it is impossible to put down. An astonishing book."--Anne Ursu, National Book Award longlisted author of Not Quite a Ghost

"Tracey Baptiste blends heart wrenching realism with unpredictable science fiction, to create an unputdownable tale about a boy's quest to find the truth about his family and his power. Baptiste cleverly tackles real-world issues in a story filled with easter eggs and plot twists that are sobering, eye-opening, and downright irresistible."--Kwame Alexander, Newbery Medal-winning author of The Crossover and The Door of No Return

About the Author

Tracey Baptiste is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty-one books and several short stories for children. She writes fiction and nonfiction picture books, middle-grade, young adult, and graphic novels. She is best known for the horror-adventure Jumbies series and Minecraft: The Crash. Tracey lives in New Jersey and can be found online at traceybaptiste.com and on Instagram: @traceybaptistewrites.