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 [book:Things Not Seen|542752] 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.

This was so good. What drew me to the book was the cover and I’m glad I got the opportunity to read it. I love that there are social issues included in the books. And again the cover is amazing. Highly recommend to fans of superhero books. Representation matters.

Holy smokes, this was a wonderful read! I do love some super power sci-fi storytelling and Baptiste hit the mark with Boy 2.0. A 2024 goal was to read more diversely so getting approved for the arc via netgalley had me excited but I'll be honest, I didn't expect to love a middle grade as much as I did here.

Thank you NetGalley, Algonquin Young Readers, and Tracey Baptiste for the early access copy of Boy 2.0.

Boy 2.0 follows the story of Win "Coal" Keegan, who at 13 years old has had to deal with a lot of adversity. With him being abruptly removed from his long-term foster home to a new foster family. Coal doesn't trust easily, and he most definitely doesn't trust the Mckay's, at least not yet. He definitely isn't sharing with them that after a walk to make some chalk art, a neighbor shot at him, which resulted in him being chased by the police. What he doesn't understand is that he only got away because he turned invisible. Thus, he embarks on the journey of figuring out how he turned invisible, why he turned invisible, and who is really is.

Run, don't walk to get your copy of Boy 2.0.

Boy 2.0 has themes that touch on family issues, foster care systems, mental health issues, consent, racial discrimination, bioengineering, scientific research, and much more all written in a style geared towards middle years. The writing is impactful and purposeful and has consistent pacing. This may be a great story for reluctant readers.

This is a science fiction thrilling mystery that I never wanted to put down. My beliefs were easily and permanently suspended as Coal navigated his new ability and tried to figure out how and why it was happening. This is also the tale of found family and I absolutely loved Doc, Jackson, and their children. I'm excited to read the next installment of Coal's adventure.

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.

Boy 2.0 realistically portrays a boy in foster care, a system that is just that: a system. Coal is not only in foster care, he has no idea who his parents are/were. He has been with the same foster parent for a long time, but Tom has a mental health crisis and Coal is once again thrust into a new living situation without any preparation. Can he trust his new first time foster family of five who seem to communicate so well and appear to want him to fit in? Coal makes street chalk art to center himself. However, his first foray turns into someone shooting at him. And that’s not all! In the midst of the shock of the shooting, he becomes invisible. How can this be?

Tracey Baptiste excels at writing age appropriate edge of your seat thrillers. This will be an excellent addition to middle school libraries and is suited for students interested in genetics, scientific research, and supernatural abilities. Ms. Baptiste has a gift for hard to predict stories. Middle grade readers are in for a treat.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

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!

Meet Coal, a 13y Black male in foster care system, who after a traumatic event, discovers he has superpowers- he can turn invisible! In an effort to learn more about himself, he engages in corporate espionage, bringing the McKay family kids and his best friend along with him. The government thinks he is an experiment they financed, but he is actually just a naturally occurring mutant. Not everyone is really who they seem- What do Tom and Doc know? Who is his father? Loved this superhero origin story, but he doesn't actually get to do any superheroing. The author could have ended with examples of that or perhaps she is saving that for book 2? Great vibrant cover! This was a quick read that I hope others will also love.

One of the best middle grade books I have read this year! Tracey Baptiste does a phenomenal job handling ethics, representation, and social issues.

The characters are extremely relatable for middle grade and young readers. They are inquisitive, curious, and willing to find answers. The adult figures are portrayed accurately through the eyes of children,

The conflicts are age appropriate and resolved in sensible ways. Baptiste weaves foster care and abandonment with intrigue and belonging. In addition, the author masterfully incorporates ethical issues of consent, science, and age.

This book is interesting, intriguing, and I think young readers will love it!

I really enjoyed this book! Part adventure, part sci-fi with some mystery mixed in. Coal, a foster kid, who's world had been turned upside-down when his foster dad suffers a mental breakdown. When he is placed with the McKay's, his new foster family, he's not sure if he can trust them. Soon he discovers he has the ability to become invisible after being shot at by a rifle toting neighbor. He must figure out what is happening to him and the mystery surrounding his birth mom. I loved the supporting characters that provided undying support for Coal. This will be a great addition to middle school libraries.

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. A perfect teenage read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers for the ARC.

Get ready for a wild adventure with "Boy 2.0"! This thrilling tale follows Coal, a 13-year-old foster kid placed with the loving McKay family, where he finally feels at home.

Coal, a talented artist, inadvertently discovers a unique ability—invisibility—after narrowly escaping a harrowing encounter with a shooter. From that moment on, his life takes a dizzying turn as he grapples with his newfound power and the dangers that come with it.

This isn't your typical story. "Boy 2.0" beautifully explores themes of found family and identity without falling into stereotypes. It's refreshing to see a captivating Black narrative that focuses on adventure and excitement, steering clear of familiar tropes.

Prepare to be riveted by the twists and turns of Coal's journey. With every page turn, you'll be on the edge of your seat, eager to discover what unfolds next. "Boy 2.0" is a well-written, electrifying story that will leave you craving more! I absolutely enjoyed this read.

Huge thanks to Algonquin Young Readers & NetGalley for this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I am a big fan of middle grade books, and an even bigger fan of superhero comics, and! an even BIGGER fan of Tracey Baptiste, so I hit the trifecta with this one. A heartwrenching, fun, hopeful story about a foster boy trying to learn how to trust while dealing with things that far too many thirteen year old Black boys need to face, and the sudden ability to turn invisible--I laughed (the supporting cast is wonderful), I cried, I wanted to do everything I could to protect Coal and at least make sure he knew that he was going to be loved and taken care of. This is a book for every kid, especially the Black boys and the superhero lovers, trying to find their place in the world even when it would be so much easier to just be invisible.