Kid X
by Tracey Baptiste
Intermediate, Middle School    Little, Brown    272 pp.
2/26    9781643753829    $17.99

Coal Keegan (Boy 2.0, rev. 11/24), with the help of his foster family and best friend, is slowly but surely learning how to navigate his superhuman ability to make himself invisible. With the sudden arrival of Coal’s biological aunt, the adults in his life begin to argue about where he (and his gifts) should live. As Coal becomes frustrated with having to adhere to the demands of others, he begins to make choices independently, with potentially dangerous results. When he is forced to partner with an old nemesis, Coal discovers that there are more eyes on him than originally thought, and he’s going to need both the support of his loved ones and his own wits to save himself (and possibly a few others). Baptiste balances action with introspection, and Coal remains a compelling protagonist: vulnerable, impulsive, and deeply human even with his powers. The supporting characters are varied and provide a range of perspectives, some lending humor and others urging caution as they attempt to help. Explorations of ethical medicine and AI practices are woven throughout, with references to historical cases (e.g., Henrietta Lacks; the Tuskegee experiment), likely prompting readers to question issues of consent and surveillance. This second thrilling and thoughtful installment again trusts its audience to consider what it means to be seen and what it costs to disappear.

From the January/February 2026 issue of The Horn Book Magazine.