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.

"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

"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

"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

"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, author of Stuntboy

A Kentucky Bluegrass Award nominee
A Maine Student Book Award nominee

* "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

* "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

"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

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Pub date: 2026-01-27

Length: 272 pages