Stuntboy, in the Meantime

Stuntboy, in the Meantime is a 2021 realistic fiction graphic novel written by American author Jason Reynolds, illustrated by Raúl the Third, and colored by Elaine Bay. In addition to Stuntboy, in the Meantime, Reynolds has written several other books for children. As a former reluctant reader himself, Reynolds creates stories that inspire young boys who don’t like to read. Stuntboy, in the Meantime features Portico Reeves, a boy who is dealing with The Effects of Family Conflict on Children while also discovering The Foundational Supports Provided by Friendship. Understanding and Experiencing Anxiety becomes the vehicle through which Portico grows into his superhero self, Stuntboy. Stuntboy, in the Meantime received the Audie Award for Middle Grade Fiction in 2023.

This guide refers to the 2021 Atheneum Books for Young Readers edition.

Content Warning: The source text and this guide include depictions of anxiety.

Plot Summary

Portico Reeves narrates the story of how he became Stuntboy and began to overcome his anxiety amid his parents’ separation. He presents his story through the lens of a television show, complete with commercial breaks and theme music. Stuntboy’s job is to keep the other heroes in his life safe, and Stuntboy considers everyone to be a hero in their own way.

Portico lives with his parents and Gran Gran in an apartment tower that he considers a castle. His best friend is his neighbor Zola Brawner, and his sworn enemy is Herbert Singletary, who hangs out in the boiler room between Portico’s and Zola’s apartments. Portico explains that Herbert moved from a house into the apartment building and seemed to be nice at first, but as soon as Herbert was reminded of his own family situation, he became mean. Portico has anxiety and experiences physical symptoms like nausea and shaking when he gets fearful or nervous. Zola helps Portico learn to calm himself through breathing techniques and yoga, and Portico helps Zola by protecting her from Herbert, who often bullies them. Zola and Portico also bond over their shared love of Super Space Warriors, a cartoon featuring two heroes named Mater and Pater who are always in conflict with one another. Zola encourages Portico to come up with a superhero identity, and Portico chooses Stuntboy because he loves performing stunts and giving them funny names.

Half a year later, Portico’s parents tell him that they are getting two new apartments and leaving their current one. Portico doesn’t realize that they mean they are separating, and he is excited by the idea of living in two places at the same time. A few days later, Portico comes home and sees his parents fighting for the first time. They argue over a chair that they have had since they were young, and Portico is told to go play with Zola “in the meantime.” Portico finds Zola and tells her about his parents’ argument. She recalls an episode from Super Space Warriors when Mater and Pater almost die because they can’t decide who should steer the ship. Portico runs home to save his parents from a similar danger, and he breaks up their fight by performing stunts and making them laugh.

Portico and Zola accompany Zola’s father to a lawn chair sale on the 10th floor, and Portico loves seeing the view from the top. He rushes home to tell his parents all about it but finds them fighting again, this time over a picture frame. They hardly notice Portico and shuffle him away again, so Portico goes to find Zola. They get snacks and talk about an episode of Super Space Warriors in which Mater and Pater nearly destroy the past because of their arguing. Portico rushes home and stops his parents’ fight by blowing chip crumbs into his father’s face and stinging his eyes. Portico’s Gran Gran watches and laughs.

At Zola’s birthday party a few weeks later, Portico enjoys dancing with all the neighbors until Herbert pushes him into the snack table. Portico’s embarrassment makes him anxious, and he runs home to safety but only finds more conflict there. His parents are arguing over a coffee table, so Portico runs away to the laundry room instead. He sits there watching Super Space Warriors until one of the neighbors comes in to do laundry. Portico’s neighbor tries to give him advice, but Portico doesn’t understand it. Instead, Zola’s ability to clarify situations by using Super Space Warriors as a metaphor makes Portico wonder if his parents are becoming villains. He runs home and hides under the coffee table as his parents create a storm around him.

Portico’s mother cuts hair for residents of the apartment building once a month, and Portico always looks forward to those days. He loves getting his haircut and watching others get theirs cut, too. One of the customers this time is the superintendent of the building, whom everyone calls Soup. Portico sees Soup as a real-life superhero. When Soup tells Portico that he should learn to cut hair like his mom, Portico gives it a try. He accidentally shaves his dad’s head in the process. When Portico goes home later, he finds his parents arguing over a plate that he painted in kindergarten. The plate shows a portrait of Portico and his family all smiling together, but now, it is the object of conflict. Portico performs a kick stunt and accidentally hits the plate, breaking it.

A block party is held at Portico’s apartment building, and Gran Gran has the chance to show off her DJing skills. Portico’s dad is a waste collector and uses his special large wrench to turn on the fire hydrant, which the kids use to fill up water balloons. Herbert throws a balloon right at Zola’s face and breaks her glasses, and Portico attacks him in retaliation. Portico’s parents pull him off Herbert and take him home, where they argue over whether he did the right thing. Gran Gran “grounds” Portico’s parents for worrying more about their argument than their child. A few days later, Portico and Zola are taking the trash to the garbage chute when Herbert comes up behind them and dares them to jump in. Soup stops Herbert, and Portico and Zola realize that Soup is Herbert’s new stepfather. When Portico returns home to tell his parents what he discovered, they are arguing again. Portico tells them to take a time out and then finds Zola. Zola and Portico do yoga together, and Portico realizes that he should try a new approach with his parents. He goes back to his apartment and sits down on the floor between them, breathing deeply and emanating calmness. When the Super Space Warriors movie is released, Portico and Zola go to the movie but fall asleep part-way through. Herbert finds out and spoils the movie for them, and Portico’s anger and frustration lead him back home again. His parents argue over the television set, and Portico feels powerless to stop them.

When Portico finds Herbert’s earring in the lobby, he and Zola decide to return it. Surprisingly, Herbert invites them into his boiler room and shows them how he works out on the pipes. When Herbert mentions that the fighting between Portico’s parents sounds like they’re getting a divorce, Portico suddenly realizes the truth of his situation. His mind races with questions, and he starts to cry. Feeling more anxious than ever, he asks his parents and finds out that they are in fact separating. Portico starts to feel as though he is split in two, and when his parents ask him to choose whose apartment to live in, he feels overwhelmed. In a moment of true heroism, Portico snaps out of his fear to save his cat, who sits stranded on top of the huge stack of boxes that have accumulated in the living room. Portico discovers that becoming Stuntboy allows him to forget his anxiety, and he helps his cat to safety. Stuntboy and his cat jump up and into stunt mode as the story reaches its conclusion, hinting at a sequel.