Kid X - (Boy 2.0) by Tracey Baptiste (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

The thrilling sequel to Boy 2.0, from New York Times bestselling author Tracey Baptiste, perfect for fans of Amari and the Night Brothers and Into the Spiderverse.

Win "Coal" Keegan is starting to get the hang of his new life. He's come to love his foster family, the McKays, and is getting more confident with his invisibility powers. Almost too confident. At first, he uses his abilities for small favors. But soon, the favors snowball into bigger asks and messier pranks. And when rumors surface about a "ghost" in the neighborhood, Coal realizes it might be best to keep his talents under wraps.

But that gets harder when Coal starts to suspect that someone--or something--might be tracking him. And as the evidence stacks up, Coal realizes he's not the only one with powers. Is his pursuer friend or foe? What would it be like to meet someone just like him?

As the stakes rise and Coal finds allies and enemies in unexpected places, he'll have to channel a new level of bravery to protect himself, his family, and his world. Packed with themes of technology, race, and justice, this exhilarating follow-up to Boy 2.0 returns readers to the world of their new favorite superhero.

Review Quotes

Praise for Boy 2.0:
A Kentucky Bluegrass Award nominee
A Maine Student Book 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

"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

"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...

"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.