Stuntboy, in the Meantime

More about the book

A Schneider Family Award Honor Book for Middle Grade, this engaging and humorous novel from Newbery Medal honoree and #1 New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds introduces a unique young superhero. Portico Reeves possesses the superpower of ensuring the safety of other superheroes, including his parents and best friends, all while keeping his identity as Stuntboy a secret. Portico lives in what he considers a castle—a massive apartment building with fifty doors, each home to diverse neighbors he often helps. He takes pride in being the reason the cat, New Name Every Day, has nine lives. However, Portico grapples with a troubling secret: his parents are constantly fighting. They attempt to mask their issues by sending him to check on neighbors, but Portico understands that “meantime” signifies impending conflict. He feels the weight of his superhero duties to save them, but the burden of secrets leads to anxiety, which he refers to as the worry wiggles. Additionally, he faces an arch-nemesis who aims to undermine his superhero status. Balancing his responsibilities and personal challenges, Portico navigates the complexities of childhood with humor and resilience.