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Boy 2.0 #1
Boy 2.0
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.
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.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2024
32 people are currently reading
3803 people want to read
About the author
Tracey Baptiste
50 books546 followersFrom Thompson-Gale: "Something About the Author"
I have always loved books. My favorite, was an oversized complete Grimm's Fairy Tales with beautiful illustrations, which I lost when my family moved to the United States. I was fascinated by the stories of the tailor who went up against a giant, and clever Hans, who wasn't so clever as well as the more traditional princess stories. When I was about thirteen, after spending a summer in the library reading Paul Zindel and Judy Blume among other authors, I announced to my best friend that I was going to be a writer. I didn't decide what I wanted to write until I read "The Friends" by Rosa Guy. I had recently moved to Brooklyn, NY, and the book spoke to my situation precisely. It remains one of my favorite books. I started writing for children then, and never stopped. I had early interest from publishers from the moment I began submitting stories at the age of 21, but I didn't put in the work necessary to become published until my late twenties. "Angel's Grace" was largely written while I was on maternity leave with my first child. It was inspired by my mother (the redhead) and my husband. Because I have very young children, I work when they sleep, which, sadly, is very little.
I have always loved books. My favorite, was an oversized complete Grimm's Fairy Tales with beautiful illustrations, which I lost when my family moved to the United States. I was fascinated by the stories of the tailor who went up against a giant, and clever Hans, who wasn't so clever as well as the more traditional princess stories. When I was about thirteen, after spending a summer in the library reading Paul Zindel and Judy Blume among other authors, I announced to my best friend that I was going to be a writer. I didn't decide what I wanted to write until I read "The Friends" by Rosa Guy. I had recently moved to Brooklyn, NY, and the book spoke to my situation precisely. It remains one of my favorite books. I started writing for children then, and never stopped. I had early interest from publishers from the moment I began submitting stories at the age of 21, but I didn't put in the work necessary to become published until my late twenties. "Angel's Grace" was largely written while I was on maternity leave with my first child. It was inspired by my mother (the redhead) and my husband. Because I have very young children, I work when they sleep, which, sadly, is very little.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
October 7, 2025
Tracey Baptiste is never ever going to disappoint me.
Unfortunately, I don't pick up many middle grade sci-fi reads so when I come across a title that really intrigues me, I'm bound to read it immediately. Tracey Baptiste is a brilliant author so I already expected amazing things going into Boy 2.0; however, this was actually beyond my expectations. It's not only a look at the impact of the foster care system on kids, but also an analysis of police brutality from the lens of science fiction. I'm not sure what I anticipated. While I knew that Coal's invisibility would play a role into a greater conversation, I was not expecting the way in which Baptiste leaned into the science fiction elements throughout the course of the novel. The conversations about the genetics and cloning were fascinating and pulled me further into the novel. Clearly there is more to be learned from this story, and I'm excited to see what Baptiste will do with the future installments. Coal is such a lovable character with so much compassion and care for others included his previous foster father and his new siblings. Honestly, if you're into science fiction this is one that I would recommend picking up sooner than later.
Unfortunately, I don't pick up many middle grade sci-fi reads so when I come across a title that really intrigues me, I'm bound to read it immediately. Tracey Baptiste is a brilliant author so I already expected amazing things going into Boy 2.0; however, this was actually beyond my expectations. It's not only a look at the impact of the foster care system on kids, but also an analysis of police brutality from the lens of science fiction. I'm not sure what I anticipated. While I knew that Coal's invisibility would play a role into a greater conversation, I was not expecting the way in which Baptiste leaned into the science fiction elements throughout the course of the novel. The conversations about the genetics and cloning were fascinating and pulled me further into the novel. Clearly there is more to be learned from this story, and I'm excited to see what Baptiste will do with the future installments. Coal is such a lovable character with so much compassion and care for others included his previous foster father and his new siblings. Honestly, if you're into science fiction this is one that I would recommend picking up sooner than later.
April 17, 2024
Lots of people guess at Coal’s nickname, but the truth is a secret that goes back to before he became a foster kid. He’s been in the same home for three years, but everything begins to change when his foster dad experiences a mental health crisis. On the heels of Coal’s urgent and unexpected move, yet another young black person is killed by the local police. Not having had many people to confide in, he processes his emotions through his art. As he is creating a chalk street mural (“Art bombing” as his best friend, Door, calls it), he experiences yet another trauma, and another. And sometimes trauma triggers physiological responses in people… in Coal’s case, the response is invisibility. Wait, what?! Invisibility? Yep. It’s a heck of a thing for a thirteen year old to try to wrap his mind around.
Boy 2.0 is gripping from the first chapter, relatable and totally clean. Even “sh*t” isn’t allowed in this family. Perfect for middle grades and up.
I loved it. Funny at times, sobering at others, Boy 2.0 will be high on my recommended list, especially for middle grade boys who enjoy superhero origin stories (think Spiderman). And the anti-bullying message (Coal has been picked on due to the darkness of his skin tone) is a fantastic touch and one that needs to be included in more books for young people.
Such a fun story. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Boy 2.0 is gripping from the first chapter, relatable and totally clean. Even “sh*t” isn’t allowed in this family. Perfect for middle grades and up.
I loved it. Funny at times, sobering at others, Boy 2.0 will be high on my recommended list, especially for middle grade boys who enjoy superhero origin stories (think Spiderman). And the anti-bullying message (Coal has been picked on due to the darkness of his skin tone) is a fantastic touch and one that needs to be included in more books for young people.
Such a fun story. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 9, 2025
Initial reaction:Feel good about giving this 4 stars. Admittedly, certain parts of the plot went off course a few times, but it was still an intense and enjoyable ride. I think readers will like Win/Coal and Door (Theodore) a lot.
This poor kid had a lot of awkward moments with his powers. 😅
Full review:
So I'm going to clarify that this is a middle grade story, but I think it's one of those titles that would work as a good bridge book between upper middle grade and lower YA, so I've tagged this as both on Goodreads and in my blog review. My local library had this tagged as YA and I wondered if that was a mistake or if there was a reason behind it. I realized once I read it why it could land there.
Tracey Baptiste has written a compelling start to a MG sci-fi, action/adventure series in "Boy 2.0." It's the kind of story I gravitate towards in terms of seeing a teen who isn't sure why or how they got the abilities they have, and is determined to learn more about themselves. It had me for the premise, it had me for the cover, and I'm happy to say it stuck the landing for what I got out of the experience.
Win "Coal" Keegan is a 13-year old Black boy who lives in foster care. His former foster parent had a mental health episode in the start of this story, so he's sent to live with another family for the time being. The McKays are nice, but Coal doesn't trust them to start with given the rough history he's had. And he's more than aware of police brutality even with the recent killing of yet another young Black kid around the time he comes to live with the McKay's. Coal decides to do street art as his way of speaking up/showcasing against this, but while drawing one afternoon he gets confronted by a white neighbor who threatens him and fires a gun at him. Coal runs, gets chased by police, and in the mix of hiding from the cops, his body camouflages with the scene around him. In other words, he turns invisible. Coal's never had this happen to him before and doesn't know why he has the ability.
Coal realistically struggles to come to terms on how his ability works. His friend Door (Theodore) is one of the few people he tells at first, but he later confides in his foster siblings and others about it. But as he tries to look further into why he might have the ability, more questions come up about his family history and the possibility that people might be pursuing him. Door helps Coal sneak into a company called Mirror Tech, with an African doctor who takes a keen interest in cloning and genetic abilities. Coal is interested in seeing whether or not they can tell him more about what he is. But he realizes that after his venture into Mirror Tech, they know a lot more about him, his family, and his foster parents than he could have imagined. And that places them all in a world of trouble.
"Boy 2.0" is brilliantly done for intrigue, action, and ultimately the set up for Coal's respective story. The pacing does lull a bit a few times, but once it hits the ground running, it carries well through the rest of the novel. It realistically handles Coal's growing pains, not only grappling with his abilities, but also for how he's bullied and the struggles he has from his past in foster care, grappling with the event that made him aware of his magic, and learning the truth of his family history. I think middle grade readers will enjoy the collective cast and intrigue of this. I definitely plan on picking up more of the series and Tracey Baptiste's work in the future.
Overall score: 4/5 stars.
This poor kid had a lot of awkward moments with his powers. 😅
Full review:
So I'm going to clarify that this is a middle grade story, but I think it's one of those titles that would work as a good bridge book between upper middle grade and lower YA, so I've tagged this as both on Goodreads and in my blog review. My local library had this tagged as YA and I wondered if that was a mistake or if there was a reason behind it. I realized once I read it why it could land there.
Tracey Baptiste has written a compelling start to a MG sci-fi, action/adventure series in "Boy 2.0." It's the kind of story I gravitate towards in terms of seeing a teen who isn't sure why or how they got the abilities they have, and is determined to learn more about themselves. It had me for the premise, it had me for the cover, and I'm happy to say it stuck the landing for what I got out of the experience.
Win "Coal" Keegan is a 13-year old Black boy who lives in foster care. His former foster parent had a mental health episode in the start of this story, so he's sent to live with another family for the time being. The McKays are nice, but Coal doesn't trust them to start with given the rough history he's had. And he's more than aware of police brutality even with the recent killing of yet another young Black kid around the time he comes to live with the McKay's. Coal decides to do street art as his way of speaking up/showcasing against this, but while drawing one afternoon he gets confronted by a white neighbor who threatens him and fires a gun at him. Coal runs, gets chased by police, and in the mix of hiding from the cops, his body camouflages with the scene around him. In other words, he turns invisible. Coal's never had this happen to him before and doesn't know why he has the ability.
Coal realistically struggles to come to terms on how his ability works. His friend Door (Theodore) is one of the few people he tells at first, but he later confides in his foster siblings and others about it. But as he tries to look further into why he might have the ability, more questions come up about his family history and the possibility that people might be pursuing him. Door helps Coal sneak into a company called Mirror Tech, with an African doctor who takes a keen interest in cloning and genetic abilities. Coal is interested in seeing whether or not they can tell him more about what he is. But he realizes that after his venture into Mirror Tech, they know a lot more about him, his family, and his foster parents than he could have imagined. And that places them all in a world of trouble.
"Boy 2.0" is brilliantly done for intrigue, action, and ultimately the set up for Coal's respective story. The pacing does lull a bit a few times, but once it hits the ground running, it carries well through the rest of the novel. It realistically handles Coal's growing pains, not only grappling with his abilities, but also for how he's bullied and the struggles he has from his past in foster care, grappling with the event that made him aware of his magic, and learning the truth of his family history. I think middle grade readers will enjoy the collective cast and intrigue of this. I definitely plan on picking up more of the series and Tracey Baptiste's work in the future.
Overall score: 4/5 stars.
November 14, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. Solid addition to the science fiction field. The main character, Coal, is a foster child who is used to things not lasting. He’s in a good placement and becoming friends with the family’s kids, but when he finds out he can turn invisible and that he thinks someone is after him, he is wary of letting them in on it. Excellent representation and plenty of action - definitely recommend for middle school and up. I didn’t love that the audiobook had a female narrator, and that definitely affected my experience.
October 23, 2024
I loved this one - but it took about 150 pages to really become suspenseful.
August 21, 2025
4.5 Wow, I liked this way more than I thought I would! It was so propulsive and I wanted to know what happened next, with the added bonus that the pages went by super quickly. I wish I had timed how long it took me, but I basically started it during my lunch break, snuck in another 15 minutes or so near the end of the school day, and then finished it before I went to sleep: the perfect length for middle schoolers. The premise was fascinating, and I think the sci-fi element is both engaging and really accessible for young readers. I loved watching Coal's relationship with his foster siblings grow, and there were twists I wasn't expecting. While it was not in-depth as it definitely could have been, I think it handled various issues pretty well, and overall it felt like a fun, action-packed superhero movie. I'm excited to recommend it to my students, and I will definitely pick up the sequel!
November 24, 2024
Win “Coal” Keegan, a wary foster kid, discovers he can turn invisible after a life-threatening incident. As he seeks answers about his powers and his past, he learns to trust the McKay family and friends. But others are searching for him, and the truth is more dangerous than he imagined.
This was a book that can be read in one sitting. Kept me on the edge of my seat late into the night. A very different origin story of a future superhero and how he received his "power", leaving the reader hoping to learn more about Coal and his family and what his future holds. Kids will eat this one up!
This was a book that can be read in one sitting. Kept me on the edge of my seat late into the night. A very different origin story of a future superhero and how he received his "power", leaving the reader hoping to learn more about Coal and his family and what his future holds. Kids will eat this one up!
December 13, 2024
At the beginning I knew it would not be for me like I thought it would when I read the resumé.
The whole sci-fi, superhero thing was interesting but you know the book is for kid, because every kid is impress and is trying to find answers. They find it so cool! As an adult, this terrify me.
But, I have to give a higher note for the representation. The foster care system. The black kid. The superhero black kid!!! Just for that, it’s worth it for kids. They have a representation and I’m all in for that.
But for the adult that I am, it was a meh.
The whole sci-fi, superhero thing was interesting but you know the book is for kid, because every kid is impress and is trying to find answers. They find it so cool! As an adult, this terrify me.
But, I have to give a higher note for the representation. The foster care system. The black kid. The superhero black kid!!! Just for that, it’s worth it for kids. They have a representation and I’m all in for that.
But for the adult that I am, it was a meh.
October 6, 2025
For me, Boy 2.0's pacing felt rushed, with multiple things strung together that I don't feel make sense. It makes the book hard to stay engaged to. Also, he didn't remember most people's names, which made it confusing for me to remember who was who. Some of his actions were morally questionable, like giving people his DNA, and traveling around alone in risky situations. These issues led me to dislike the book. However, I found the plot interesting and believe others might enjoy it as well. I would recommend this books to others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2025
3.5 stars...I've been going back and forth on how to rate this one. I really liked it...but 2 days out from finishing it I'm finding it's not something that's sticking with me. I really enjoyed the look at the foster system set against the backdrop of this sci Fi story. I'd like to read the next book in the series...if I remember to...but right now I don't see this as a book I will seek out to read again in the future.
December 26, 2024
A solid sci-fi, superhero, mystery story with social commentary. The plot was fast paced and I really liked the characters. Though the book wraps up nicely in the end and focuses on an origin story, I wouldn’t mind if this was a series so I could revisit these characters.
January 12, 2025
4.5 stars!
May 17, 2025
I'm getting this for the library. It's really good and a good lead in to the high school Michael Vey series!
October 18, 2025
I got this for the kid last year, thinking we would read it together. But he read it by himself. So I read it alone also. I enjoyed the characters, I enjoyed the story. I am excited to read more.
March 28, 2025
Some plot holes, but not a bad read.
June 11, 2025
Great pick for middle grade. Lots of substance, snappy dialogue, endearing characters, interesting sci-fi-ish mystery.
December 23, 2024
Book 139/1000
An interesting story.
An interesting story.
April 13, 2025
I do not typically read sci-fi/super power books, but that being said, this one was actually decent. However, I think I would’ve enjoyed it more while I was in middle school.
The Good: the characters were written very well. I liked Coal’s tenacity, curiosity, and raw emotion. I liked Door’s sense of humor. I loved the Mckay families’ dynamic and how they interacted with Coal. I liked that the invisibility super power was science based. I also liked that there were some real life hardships (like being a teenager in foster care + death from police brutality) also weaved into the story between the funny moments and mystery.
The Meh: the plot itself was good for the most part but also got a little bit funky at some points. It felt that at times the author made things happen not because they made sense but because they were convenient to the storyline (Coal & Door conveniently getting a free tour of Mirror Tech, Dr Achebe basically kidnapping Coal, kids planning a heist, Isadora finding Coal and helping him, finding the lock box at Tom’s house so fast after he’d lived there for 3 years, etc). The random revelation that Coal’s ancestors also became invisible because God blessed them felt out of place for the story. In the end, I felt like I’d been ripped off because after all of the science throughout the book, Coal’s ability to become invisible was a “natural evolution” with no explanation as to why. It also took 145 pages for action/conflict to really start happening and then there was a very quick resolution.
The Good: the characters were written very well. I liked Coal’s tenacity, curiosity, and raw emotion. I liked Door’s sense of humor. I loved the Mckay families’ dynamic and how they interacted with Coal. I liked that the invisibility super power was science based. I also liked that there were some real life hardships (like being a teenager in foster care + death from police brutality) also weaved into the story between the funny moments and mystery.
The Meh: the plot itself was good for the most part but also got a little bit funky at some points. It felt that at times the author made things happen not because they made sense but because they were convenient to the storyline (Coal & Door conveniently getting a free tour of Mirror Tech, Dr Achebe basically kidnapping Coal, kids planning a heist, Isadora finding Coal and helping him, finding the lock box at Tom’s house so fast after he’d lived there for 3 years, etc). The random revelation that Coal’s ancestors also became invisible because God blessed them felt out of place for the story. In the end, I felt like I’d been ripped off because after all of the science throughout the book, Coal’s ability to become invisible was a “natural evolution” with no explanation as to why. It also took 145 pages for action/conflict to really start happening and then there was a very quick resolution.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2024
Coal is a foster child who initially seems to have no-one in the world looking out for him. After his foster dad has a mental health crisis, he is moved to a very different setting with a new foster family, then a series of events lead to him experiencing severe stress and trauma which in turn leads to him becoming temporarily invisible. This has never happened before and Coal doesn’t know who to trust or who to confide in. His desire for answers leads him on a potentially dangerous journey of discovery.
I really enjoyed this book, it has a wonderful cast of likeable supporting characters, themes of identity, found family and friendships and it’s an exciting adventure/mystery with many unexpected twists and turns as Coal finds out the truth about his origins.
Thanks to NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers for the ARC.
I really enjoyed this book, it has a wonderful cast of likeable supporting characters, themes of identity, found family and friendships and it’s an exciting adventure/mystery with many unexpected twists and turns as Coal finds out the truth about his origins.
Thanks to NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers for the ARC.
August 14, 2024
E ARC provided by Netgalley
Win "Coal" Keegan has been living in foster care with Tom, but when his foster dad has a mental health crisis, he ends up on the McKay's doorstep. The father, Jackson, and the mother, Candace (or "Doc"), haven't had a foster child before, but have three children, Aaron, who is in high school, and young Mia and Hannah. The family is friendly, but boisterous and a little overwhelming. Doc makes sure to give Coal some space, and to let him know she understands that the move is difficult. When Coal decides to get some air and go for a walk, Aaron agrees to tell the adults where he's gone, but also tells him to be home by dark. Coal finds a small side street where he can draw a picture in chalk of a woman who has been wrongfully killed, but when he is almost finished, a man comes after him with a gun. Panicked, Coal runs, and when the police arrive, he tries to hide behind a dumpster. He notices something odd-- he's become invisible, and so the police go right by him. When he gets home, Doc is worried, since he seems shaken. She's a psychiatrist, so knows when teens are lying to her, but gets Coal cleaned up and sends him. To bed. He's tried to tell her about the invisibility, but it's hard to explain something like that. He also tells his best friend, Door, at school the next day. Wanting to know more, Coal does some research, and comes across the Mirror Tech labs that are located nearby. He and Door take a tour of the facility with some other kids on the weekend, but don't feel comfortable doing any of the screenings that the director, Dr. Hunter Achebe, is having others do. Coal has interacted with some mimetic fabric, and a volunteer there, Isadora, mentions that the fabric usually doesn't act that way. There are still lots of questions, and Coal does unpack some of his worries with Doc, as they do yoga and run through some breathing exercises. When Coal mentions all of this to Aaron, Mia, and Hannah, they help him research, and come across information about Project Snow White, which was run through Mirror Tech, and which was supposed to help women with infertility issues. At school, the vice principal pulls Coal aside, and he thinks he is in trouble, but the vice principal wanting only to mention that there was a chalk drawing found, and the police wanted the artist to know that he could file charges against the man who shot at him. Coal and Door have tried to figure out what makes Coal turn invisible, and figure that it has something to do with a fear response. When Dr. Achebe asks Coal to be an intern, he's flattered until they get to the lab and the scientist not only takes blood and spit samples, but also some skin! Coal finds out that Tom, his foster father, was a scientist working at Mirror Tech. He and Door decide to break into the lab with Isadora's key card that Door swiped, and try to get more information. The boys claim to be going to a silent protest, but sneak into the lab. They manage to find some secrets and retrieve some files, but are, of course, caught. Doc shows up to protect him, but Coal knows he needs to figure out these secrets from the past. Does Coal's ability to turn invisible have anything to do with his birth mother, Mirror Tech experiments, and genetic manipulation, or is it something else? Will he be taken by the military and researched, or will his new found family, and Coal himself, be able to save the day? (I don't want to spoil the twists and turns!)
Strengths: The positive depiction of a foster family is good to see, and I particularly liked Aaron. Coal's concern for his foster father Tom is well placed, and the family tries to provide him with information that he needs. It's good that he's allowed to continue to go to school and see Door. The most unusual part of this book is that Coal TELLS people what has happened to him, and asks for help from Door, but even his foster siblings and parents. The connections between Coal, Doc, Tom, and Mirror Tech are fascinating, and revealed slowly. There is also an intriguing reason for Coal to turn invisible that is NOT connected with the lab. The cover is fantastic, and it's a short, punchy sci Fi adventure with a good message that I think will have broad appeal.
Weaknesses: I wish there had been more scenes where Coal was invisible and less yoga with Doc. If he has the ability, couldn't it have been used to better effect in Mirror Tech? This might just be me projecting my desire to run around and whap people upside the head when I'm invisible, like the characters in Ray's 2012 Calling Invisible Women.
What I really think: This is an excellent choice for readers who want a good dose of science in their science fiction adventures. There are a couple of books that deal with teens turning invisible, like Clements' Things Not Seen (which has left me permanently wary of electric heating pads!) or Kessler's Has Anyone Seen Jessica Jenkins? , or Welford's What Not To Do If You Turn Invisible, and it's something we could see a lot more of. Middle school students always feel that they are TOO visible. Boy 2.0 has a lot of things that make it unique. There are some genetic mystery adventures, like Smith's Boy X (2017) and Werlin's Double Helix (2004) Messner's Wake Up Missing (2013), but this also has a lot of family secrets. I thought it might be a series until the very end of the book, when things were wrapped up. I wouldn't mind reading more about Coal and the McKays, which is a good sign!
Win "Coal" Keegan has been living in foster care with Tom, but when his foster dad has a mental health crisis, he ends up on the McKay's doorstep. The father, Jackson, and the mother, Candace (or "Doc"), haven't had a foster child before, but have three children, Aaron, who is in high school, and young Mia and Hannah. The family is friendly, but boisterous and a little overwhelming. Doc makes sure to give Coal some space, and to let him know she understands that the move is difficult. When Coal decides to get some air and go for a walk, Aaron agrees to tell the adults where he's gone, but also tells him to be home by dark. Coal finds a small side street where he can draw a picture in chalk of a woman who has been wrongfully killed, but when he is almost finished, a man comes after him with a gun. Panicked, Coal runs, and when the police arrive, he tries to hide behind a dumpster. He notices something odd-- he's become invisible, and so the police go right by him. When he gets home, Doc is worried, since he seems shaken. She's a psychiatrist, so knows when teens are lying to her, but gets Coal cleaned up and sends him. To bed. He's tried to tell her about the invisibility, but it's hard to explain something like that. He also tells his best friend, Door, at school the next day. Wanting to know more, Coal does some research, and comes across the Mirror Tech labs that are located nearby. He and Door take a tour of the facility with some other kids on the weekend, but don't feel comfortable doing any of the screenings that the director, Dr. Hunter Achebe, is having others do. Coal has interacted with some mimetic fabric, and a volunteer there, Isadora, mentions that the fabric usually doesn't act that way. There are still lots of questions, and Coal does unpack some of his worries with Doc, as they do yoga and run through some breathing exercises. When Coal mentions all of this to Aaron, Mia, and Hannah, they help him research, and come across information about Project Snow White, which was run through Mirror Tech, and which was supposed to help women with infertility issues. At school, the vice principal pulls Coal aside, and he thinks he is in trouble, but the vice principal wanting only to mention that there was a chalk drawing found, and the police wanted the artist to know that he could file charges against the man who shot at him. Coal and Door have tried to figure out what makes Coal turn invisible, and figure that it has something to do with a fear response. When Dr. Achebe asks Coal to be an intern, he's flattered until they get to the lab and the scientist not only takes blood and spit samples, but also some skin! Coal finds out that Tom, his foster father, was a scientist working at Mirror Tech. He and Door decide to break into the lab with Isadora's key card that Door swiped, and try to get more information. The boys claim to be going to a silent protest, but sneak into the lab. They manage to find some secrets and retrieve some files, but are, of course, caught. Doc shows up to protect him, but Coal knows he needs to figure out these secrets from the past. Does Coal's ability to turn invisible have anything to do with his birth mother, Mirror Tech experiments, and genetic manipulation, or is it something else? Will he be taken by the military and researched, or will his new found family, and Coal himself, be able to save the day? (I don't want to spoil the twists and turns!)
Strengths: The positive depiction of a foster family is good to see, and I particularly liked Aaron. Coal's concern for his foster father Tom is well placed, and the family tries to provide him with information that he needs. It's good that he's allowed to continue to go to school and see Door. The most unusual part of this book is that Coal TELLS people what has happened to him, and asks for help from Door, but even his foster siblings and parents. The connections between Coal, Doc, Tom, and Mirror Tech are fascinating, and revealed slowly. There is also an intriguing reason for Coal to turn invisible that is NOT connected with the lab. The cover is fantastic, and it's a short, punchy sci Fi adventure with a good message that I think will have broad appeal.
Weaknesses: I wish there had been more scenes where Coal was invisible and less yoga with Doc. If he has the ability, couldn't it have been used to better effect in Mirror Tech? This might just be me projecting my desire to run around and whap people upside the head when I'm invisible, like the characters in Ray's 2012 Calling Invisible Women.
What I really think: This is an excellent choice for readers who want a good dose of science in their science fiction adventures. There are a couple of books that deal with teens turning invisible, like Clements' Things Not Seen (which has left me permanently wary of electric heating pads!) or Kessler's Has Anyone Seen Jessica Jenkins? , or Welford's What Not To Do If You Turn Invisible, and it's something we could see a lot more of. Middle school students always feel that they are TOO visible. Boy 2.0 has a lot of things that make it unique. There are some genetic mystery adventures, like Smith's Boy X (2017) and Werlin's Double Helix (2004) Messner's Wake Up Missing (2013), but this also has a lot of family secrets. I thought it might be a series until the very end of the book, when things were wrapped up. I wouldn't mind reading more about Coal and the McKays, which is a good sign!
October 9, 2024
A bit heavy on the science for a MG novel, but I liked it all the same.
October 2, 2024
What worked:
The opening hook describes the mysterious circumstances when Coal is forced to change foster homes. He really likes his foster father Tom but one day Tom starts telling him to run while trying to stab people no one else can see. Coal and readers don’t know anything about his real family as he was left on a doorstep as an infant. This backdrop leads to all kinds of possible explanations when Coal discovers he can turn invisible. Readers can use their imaginations to fill in details and modify their ideas as more information arises. There must be more to Tom’s character than we know and the story of Coal’s parents must eventually be revealed.
It's always interesting to watch how characters respond when they suddenly acquire “superpowers”. Coal escapes a traumatic situation when the police can’t see him hiding right in front of them. He freaks out when his skin becomes invisible and is frightened by the unexplained. Doubt then sets in when he can’t make it happen again and he can’t trust anyone to share his secret. He finally confides in his best friend Door and their curiosity is piqued. This range of emotions is more “realistic” than immediately deciding to become a new superhero. Coal never even considers intentionally using his invisibility because he’s more concerned with understanding it.
A couple of social issues are included in the book. Racism is an underlying issue throughout and police brutality in particular is highlighted after the news of a young girl’s death. Coal has a frightening encounter with a white man and police officers after he’s spotted painting a mural of her. This terror leads to his first episode of invisibility. Coal’s new foster parents, Doc and Jackson McKay, try to balance their understanding for his emotions and freedom while trying to keep him safe from dangerous situations. Moral and ethical questions arise when Coal learns more about genetic engineering and the manipulation of DNA. This would allow scientists to speed up human adaptation in response to the rapidly changing global environment. However, just because something might be possible doesn’t mean it's something that should be done.
What didn’t work as well:
The plot could use a faster pace as most of the real action begins when Coal locates a company that is cutting edge in the field of genetic engineering. It also seems overly convenient when Coal moves in with the McKays even though the parents say it was unexpected. The transition is too smooth so readers will know there’s more to the story. The parents and children go out of their way to support Coal so it’s surprising when it takes so long for him to trust them.
The final verdict:
Readers will empathize with Coal as he struggles with his new ability after being shipped to a new foster family. Strong emotions are embedded in the story as he tries to uncover the mystery of his past and the dangers in his future. I recommend this book for lovers of origin stories, science, and social issues. Give it a shot.
The opening hook describes the mysterious circumstances when Coal is forced to change foster homes. He really likes his foster father Tom but one day Tom starts telling him to run while trying to stab people no one else can see. Coal and readers don’t know anything about his real family as he was left on a doorstep as an infant. This backdrop leads to all kinds of possible explanations when Coal discovers he can turn invisible. Readers can use their imaginations to fill in details and modify their ideas as more information arises. There must be more to Tom’s character than we know and the story of Coal’s parents must eventually be revealed.
It's always interesting to watch how characters respond when they suddenly acquire “superpowers”. Coal escapes a traumatic situation when the police can’t see him hiding right in front of them. He freaks out when his skin becomes invisible and is frightened by the unexplained. Doubt then sets in when he can’t make it happen again and he can’t trust anyone to share his secret. He finally confides in his best friend Door and their curiosity is piqued. This range of emotions is more “realistic” than immediately deciding to become a new superhero. Coal never even considers intentionally using his invisibility because he’s more concerned with understanding it.
A couple of social issues are included in the book. Racism is an underlying issue throughout and police brutality in particular is highlighted after the news of a young girl’s death. Coal has a frightening encounter with a white man and police officers after he’s spotted painting a mural of her. This terror leads to his first episode of invisibility. Coal’s new foster parents, Doc and Jackson McKay, try to balance their understanding for his emotions and freedom while trying to keep him safe from dangerous situations. Moral and ethical questions arise when Coal learns more about genetic engineering and the manipulation of DNA. This would allow scientists to speed up human adaptation in response to the rapidly changing global environment. However, just because something might be possible doesn’t mean it's something that should be done.
What didn’t work as well:
The plot could use a faster pace as most of the real action begins when Coal locates a company that is cutting edge in the field of genetic engineering. It also seems overly convenient when Coal moves in with the McKays even though the parents say it was unexpected. The transition is too smooth so readers will know there’s more to the story. The parents and children go out of their way to support Coal so it’s surprising when it takes so long for him to trust them.
The final verdict:
Readers will empathize with Coal as he struggles with his new ability after being shipped to a new foster family. Strong emotions are embedded in the story as he tries to uncover the mystery of his past and the dangers in his future. I recommend this book for lovers of origin stories, science, and social issues. Give it a shot.
July 16, 2024
Boy 2.0
by Tracey Baptiste
Algonquin Books for Young Readers
Workman Publishing
2024
304 pages
ISBN: 9781643753812
Book available October 1, 2024
Tracey Baptiste has created her own super-hero--dare I say--series?
Being a foster kid isn't that bad, and Win (Coal) has seen everything and been placed in several homes, but when he has a run-in with an armed neighbor and somehow turns invisible, that's a whole other level of crazy. How did the armed man and later the police not see Coal? He "changed" his skin like a chameleon.
Sure, there's some glitches in turning invisible--like his clothes are still visible so he must be naked to be truly invisible, but it's a small price to pay for being a super-hero. Or is he a super-hero? And how can he learn to use his new-found power and control it? And how did he get this superpower? He knows so little about his birth mother or the man who adopted him.
When Coal tells his best friend Door about his invisible run-in, Door doesn't believe him at first and refers to Coal's new power as, "a stupid naked superpower." The boys need to figure out how Coal is able to turn invisible and what causes it in order to keep themselves safe, so they turn to where else? The trusty library. Researching humans and chameleons brings up the name of a company: Mirror Tech. Coal is determined to travel to Newark to find out is he is a mutant or an orphan or both.
The author weaves Coal's story masterfully, and a reader will have much to ponder about how skin color affects people's first impressions and society's treatment of a person based on their appearance.
Boy 2.0 is a read that will stick with you long after the last page is turned. The novel has huge potential as an extended series and is a stellar win for the author and the publisher. Kudos Tracey Baptiste and Algonquin Books for Young Readers for not only an important story but one packed with excitement, bad guys, evil stealthy doctors, military secrets and a few normal kids who use their friendships and wiles to best a gigantic corporation and expose dark conspiracies.
Highly, highly recommended grades 5 and up. If you read one superhero book, make it Boy 2.0 which is destined to become a bestseller, the next big thing and perhaps an entire franchise. This book is likely to win Every. Single. Book. Award. This. Year.
by Tracey Baptiste
Algonquin Books for Young Readers
Workman Publishing
2024
304 pages
ISBN: 9781643753812
Book available October 1, 2024
Tracey Baptiste has created her own super-hero--dare I say--series?
Being a foster kid isn't that bad, and Win (Coal) has seen everything and been placed in several homes, but when he has a run-in with an armed neighbor and somehow turns invisible, that's a whole other level of crazy. How did the armed man and later the police not see Coal? He "changed" his skin like a chameleon.
Sure, there's some glitches in turning invisible--like his clothes are still visible so he must be naked to be truly invisible, but it's a small price to pay for being a super-hero. Or is he a super-hero? And how can he learn to use his new-found power and control it? And how did he get this superpower? He knows so little about his birth mother or the man who adopted him.
When Coal tells his best friend Door about his invisible run-in, Door doesn't believe him at first and refers to Coal's new power as, "a stupid naked superpower." The boys need to figure out how Coal is able to turn invisible and what causes it in order to keep themselves safe, so they turn to where else? The trusty library. Researching humans and chameleons brings up the name of a company: Mirror Tech. Coal is determined to travel to Newark to find out is he is a mutant or an orphan or both.
The author weaves Coal's story masterfully, and a reader will have much to ponder about how skin color affects people's first impressions and society's treatment of a person based on their appearance.
Boy 2.0 is a read that will stick with you long after the last page is turned. The novel has huge potential as an extended series and is a stellar win for the author and the publisher. Kudos Tracey Baptiste and Algonquin Books for Young Readers for not only an important story but one packed with excitement, bad guys, evil stealthy doctors, military secrets and a few normal kids who use their friendships and wiles to best a gigantic corporation and expose dark conspiracies.
Highly, highly recommended grades 5 and up. If you read one superhero book, make it Boy 2.0 which is destined to become a bestseller, the next big thing and perhaps an entire franchise. This book is likely to win Every. Single. Book. Award. This. Year.
February 7, 2025
3 Stars
7th Grade Plus
This is a well written book that tackles some serious themes including racism, gun violence, and black identity. It follows Win “Coal” Keegen, a middle grade student who has just moved into a new foster home, as he discovers he can turn invisible. What follows is a fast paced chase to find answers with the help of his best friend Theodore “Door” and his new foster siblings, Adam, Mari, and Hannah. They are able to find answers at a place called Mirror Tech, a company responsible for a lot of technological advancements and genetic experiments. Including the Snow White project which focused on creating and experimenting on babies. In the end Coal discovers more about his mom and is subject to being the target of the military. While the writing is good, the dialog is charming, and the fast paced plot keeps the reader engaged, the book struggled to get to the finish line it painstakingly set up and took several convenient shortcuts to get there.
There are several instances where things just happened, not because they made sense, but because the author wanted to keep up the pace established from the beginning. For example, Door and Coal initially get into Mirror Tech by joining a random class trip and nobody stops or questions them. A teacher or adult would have had to notice two extra kids on their roster they have never seen before. The majority of the side characters were also merely convenient plot devices to be used to move plot forward only to vanish once their role was served, like Isadora or General Knox. Even most of the main cast of characters really don’t feel present in this story.
Those criticisms are small and can be ignored with a really great book. The thing that stops this book from being truly great is the left turn it makes about 80% of the way in the book. Even through its fast pace, it takes its time to very clearly establish the idea of science experimentation and genetic modification. It lays down the foundation to make the reader believe that Coal was a baby created in the lab only for his mutation to be from a natural gene in his specific family tree. Plot twists like this only work if there is a set up to them to make them pay off. Nothing in this book sets that up or prepares you for that change. It takes the wind out of the natural progression and doesn’t add anything to the story. Coal being the result of genetic modification fits. The story would have still worked if his mother/the scientist who created him just hid him from the government without needing to add the backstory of her interest in this specific type of modification.
7th Grade Plus
This is a well written book that tackles some serious themes including racism, gun violence, and black identity. It follows Win “Coal” Keegen, a middle grade student who has just moved into a new foster home, as he discovers he can turn invisible. What follows is a fast paced chase to find answers with the help of his best friend Theodore “Door” and his new foster siblings, Adam, Mari, and Hannah. They are able to find answers at a place called Mirror Tech, a company responsible for a lot of technological advancements and genetic experiments. Including the Snow White project which focused on creating and experimenting on babies. In the end Coal discovers more about his mom and is subject to being the target of the military. While the writing is good, the dialog is charming, and the fast paced plot keeps the reader engaged, the book struggled to get to the finish line it painstakingly set up and took several convenient shortcuts to get there.
There are several instances where things just happened, not because they made sense, but because the author wanted to keep up the pace established from the beginning. For example, Door and Coal initially get into Mirror Tech by joining a random class trip and nobody stops or questions them. A teacher or adult would have had to notice two extra kids on their roster they have never seen before. The majority of the side characters were also merely convenient plot devices to be used to move plot forward only to vanish once their role was served, like Isadora or General Knox. Even most of the main cast of characters really don’t feel present in this story.
Those criticisms are small and can be ignored with a really great book. The thing that stops this book from being truly great is the left turn it makes about 80% of the way in the book. Even through its fast pace, it takes its time to very clearly establish the idea of science experimentation and genetic modification. It lays down the foundation to make the reader believe that Coal was a baby created in the lab only for his mutation to be from a natural gene in his specific family tree. Plot twists like this only work if there is a set up to them to make them pay off. Nothing in this book sets that up or prepares you for that change. It takes the wind out of the natural progression and doesn’t add anything to the story. Coal being the result of genetic modification fits. The story would have still worked if his mother/the scientist who created him just hid him from the government without needing to add the backstory of her interest in this specific type of modification.
October 1, 2024
Win “Coal” Keegan has left his previous foster home of three years – one he was just getting used to – and now lives with the McKays, a loud, big, and energetic family who welcomes him with open arms. But Coal remains wary, afraid he will have to move again. One night, he sneaks out to make chalk art but a neighbor spots Coal and pulls a gun on him. When the police chase him, he doesn’t tell the McKays. And he especially doesn’t tell them that the cops never found Coal, because he turned invisible. Shock becomes a desperate search for answers as Coal tries to figure out the truth: what is he? And where (and from whom) did he come from? Through training to control this new ability, infiltrating a suspicious biotech company, and slowly trusting his friends and newfound family, Coal will learn that being a Black boy with superpowers is a dangerous game but a liberating experience.
Boy 2.0 is an exciting superhero-esque origin story focusing on character, relationships, and family rather than high-stakes action. Readers follow Coal as he navigates a bustling new family and his own trust issues with the sci-fi element of new superpowers. He is a quiet, quick-thinking, and modest boy who just wants a simple life and a place to stay, but must learn how to form new bonds and discover who he wants to be for that to happen. The plot slowly picks up pace as Coal and his friends infiltrate the biotech company, train more with his invisibility, and learn about Coal’s actual parents, culminating in a satisfying climax where justice is served and our hero learns what family really is. Overall, a great new science fiction/”superhero origin” story for middle-grade readers. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
Boy 2.0 is an exciting superhero-esque origin story focusing on character, relationships, and family rather than high-stakes action. Readers follow Coal as he navigates a bustling new family and his own trust issues with the sci-fi element of new superpowers. He is a quiet, quick-thinking, and modest boy who just wants a simple life and a place to stay, but must learn how to form new bonds and discover who he wants to be for that to happen. The plot slowly picks up pace as Coal and his friends infiltrate the biotech company, train more with his invisibility, and learn about Coal’s actual parents, culminating in a satisfying climax where justice is served and our hero learns what family really is. Overall, a great new science fiction/”superhero origin” story for middle-grade readers. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...
November 10, 2024
This is going to be a great new middle grade series-- a mix of superhero origin story and plain ol' "life is hard". Win aka Coal has been in foster care. Tom was a great guy to grow up with until a mental health crisis leads Coal to move in with the McKay's who are a wonderful family including a Doctor mom. She's assuring from the get-go with all of Coal's changes and his leaving for several hours a few days in- he left to clear his head and do chalk graffiti in response to a death of another Black person. But during this chalk art, a man waving a gun points and shoots at Coal. A cop is called. But in the ensuing chase and drama, Coal ends up blending in with the parking lot/pavement, seemingly invisible and sets off a mystery of why Coal can turn invisible. Who should he tell? His best friend Door? His new family? His teacher who seems to be concerned? He'll start with a local scientific organization and asking questions while he caretakes for Cornelius, the class chameleon.
It's an updated superhero version of Things Not Seen which is perfect for this audience as his supportive cast of new family and old friends are there as Coal discovers the mysteries of his birth and birth mother. Riveting, creative, and an overall fantastically plotted first book in a series.
Loved the librarian representation too! "We don't have any books like that, but there might be scientific articles." He pulled out a chair for Coal and clicked through to the public library's database. "You can go here and search through medical journals. Type in keywords using the plus sign. Like, human plus chameleon."
It's an updated superhero version of Things Not Seen which is perfect for this audience as his supportive cast of new family and old friends are there as Coal discovers the mysteries of his birth and birth mother. Riveting, creative, and an overall fantastically plotted first book in a series.
Loved the librarian representation too! "We don't have any books like that, but there might be scientific articles." He pulled out a chair for Coal and clicked through to the public library's database. "You can go here and search through medical journals. Type in keywords using the plus sign. Like, human plus chameleon."
October 24, 2024
I received this copy at a reduced rate in exchange for a review, but this is my honest opinion.
At a moment of crisis, as the community protests the killing of a black woman by police, teenage artist Win Keegan, A.K.A. Coal, discovers he has a superpower. He’s a foster kid without much trust for adults who has just been moved into a new home and he doesn’t know what to do or who to trust. It turns out the distrust is warranted but he has questions and needs to find answers if he wants to know who, or what, he is. He figures the place to start is the nearby bioengineering firm Mirror Tech, but what if they want to exploit his new power? The story is about learning to trust others and yourself even if you are afraid that what others see is a stereotype.
This is a young adult book with some positive parental figures and likeable characters. It’s a kid-driven adventure book that should resonate with pre-teens and teens. It includes the mention of police violence against the black community, an episode of the main character being shot at (by a civilian), and running from the police, but no foul language. I couldn’t help thinking that it’s written with movie rights in mind, and it has certainly left enough unanswered questions for a sequel, but I enjoyed it enough that that’s not a bad thing in this case. Although it’s a hardback, the pages feel inexpensive, and I noticed a couple of words missing from the text that should be corrected in the next edition.
At a moment of crisis, as the community protests the killing of a black woman by police, teenage artist Win Keegan, A.K.A. Coal, discovers he has a superpower. He’s a foster kid without much trust for adults who has just been moved into a new home and he doesn’t know what to do or who to trust. It turns out the distrust is warranted but he has questions and needs to find answers if he wants to know who, or what, he is. He figures the place to start is the nearby bioengineering firm Mirror Tech, but what if they want to exploit his new power? The story is about learning to trust others and yourself even if you are afraid that what others see is a stereotype.
This is a young adult book with some positive parental figures and likeable characters. It’s a kid-driven adventure book that should resonate with pre-teens and teens. It includes the mention of police violence against the black community, an episode of the main character being shot at (by a civilian), and running from the police, but no foul language. I couldn’t help thinking that it’s written with movie rights in mind, and it has certainly left enough unanswered questions for a sequel, but I enjoyed it enough that that’s not a bad thing in this case. Although it’s a hardback, the pages feel inexpensive, and I noticed a couple of words missing from the text that should be corrected in the next edition.
February 2, 2025
This is one of the most innovative novels I’ve ever read about a superpower. It starts off as social commentary, a lens held up to the racial tensions that exist today between black and white peoples. Justice for wronged black people is as elusive as ever. A black boy runs from a gun-toting citizen and two cops—and then the bizarre takes place.
Coal is a resourceful adolescent. But his determination to rely on his own resources falls against the straitened circumstances in which he finds himself. He withdraws from those around him, automatically lies to cover up his own follies and thinks he can deal with his newfound powers all on his own.
The novel avoids the “Scooby Doo” trope, as I call it. Coal reluctantly confides in his contemporaries but keeps mum to the adults around him. But the author subverts this boring trope. Coal is bemused and embarrassed to find out the adults are one step ahead of him, that they prove to be far more resourceful than he gave them credit for being.
(I’ve been exasperated by stories that have children running rings around grownups. In the Scooby Doo franchise, it didn’t make sense even to call them meddling kids. How are they “kids”? Fred is old enough to drive and Velma, Daphne and Shaggy all look to be around his age. They aren’t kids by a long stretch.)
Coal’s journey and his decisions are fascinating to read. I’m glad his story isn’t finished and that more revelations await him. I can’t wait to see what happens to him next.
Coal is a resourceful adolescent. But his determination to rely on his own resources falls against the straitened circumstances in which he finds himself. He withdraws from those around him, automatically lies to cover up his own follies and thinks he can deal with his newfound powers all on his own.
The novel avoids the “Scooby Doo” trope, as I call it. Coal reluctantly confides in his contemporaries but keeps mum to the adults around him. But the author subverts this boring trope. Coal is bemused and embarrassed to find out the adults are one step ahead of him, that they prove to be far more resourceful than he gave them credit for being.
(I’ve been exasperated by stories that have children running rings around grownups. In the Scooby Doo franchise, it didn’t make sense even to call them meddling kids. How are they “kids”? Fred is old enough to drive and Velma, Daphne and Shaggy all look to be around his age. They aren’t kids by a long stretch.)
Coal’s journey and his decisions are fascinating to read. I’m glad his story isn’t finished and that more revelations await him. I can’t wait to see what happens to him next.
August 22, 2024
Win 'Coal' Keegan has bounced around many foster homes. He didn't know he'd have to leave Tom, his foster father for the past 3 years, when Tom had a mental breakdown and Coal was whisked quickly away to another home. Enter the McKays, a family of 5, that all seem excited and curious to have him join their family. He doesn't know if he can trust them so he takes a walk to do what he enjoys best - drawing. With chalk in the middle of the street, he works on a portrait based on a news headline that is bringing out protesters, but he gets stopped by a neighbor with a rifle. The man first the gun, and Coal is off - police, trying to hide, and turning invisible with no idea how, why, or that he could do such a thing. The only person he tells, in the beginning, is his best friend, Door, but things take off as they try to discover clues, do research, and pull in the three McKay kids - Aaron, Mari, and Hannah, and new friends discovered along the way. As a superhero origion story, this one hits all the marks and is sure to have readers clamoring for book 2. Coal's struggles with trust, depending on others, and tyring to find out his past and truths are believable and real. The characters that surround him, friends and villains, are unique and easily recognizable in the story. Give to readers who like science fiction, superheroes, and adventure.
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