Publishers Weekly
★ 10/11/2021
Portico Reeves, secret alter ego Stuntboy, lives amid a lively, largely Black community at “the castle”—apartment building Skylight Gardens. As Portico, he navigates tense interactions with bully Herbert Singletary the Worst, the stress of his ever-fighting parents, and his own anxiety, or “frets.” As Stuntboy, meanwhile, his job is “keeping other superheroes safe, so they can save the world!” And he definitely has his hands full watching out for the castle’s various larger-than-life characters—rolling down the stairs for a neighbor who’s a “little wobbly,” taking a tumble in lieu of shoelace-obsessed Mr. Mister, and blowing salt-and-vinegar chip crumbs in his dad’s face to stop his parents’ fighting. Zola Brawner, best friend for 163 days, offers support, comparing Portico’s fighting parents to episodes of an in-universe television show, but his folks’ dismissals and descent into the “mean time” threaten to worsen the frets. From vibrant, comic book–style art with ample color by Elaine Bay to running gags and commercial breaks that balance serious moments, there’s plenty to enjoy about this engaging, high-energy collaboration by Raúl the Third (Strollercoaster) and Reynolds (Stamped). Ages 7–12. (Nov.)
Shelf Awareness
*"In this funny, action-packed graphic novel, readers are introduced to Portico Reeves (aka Stuntboy), a Black fourth-grader and superhero. As Portico tries to dodge Herbert's bullying and cope with his parents' constant arguing, Stuntboy swoops in to save his neighbors and, hopefully, his parents' marriage.
This easily accessible and hilarious graphic novel is broken up into short episodes interrupted by commercial breaks with helpful tips on stunts. National Ambassador for Young People's Literature Jason Reynolds (Track series) creates a text that makes for a quick and easy read and the accompanying digital illustrations by Raúl the Third (Strollercoaster) match the tone perfectly. Stuntboy, in the Meantime is a perfect book for seven- to 12-year-olds."
November 1, 2021 - BCCB
BCCB – Portico Reeves lives in “a giant castle . . . made from the glassiest glass and the brickiest bricks on Earth.” Skylight Gardens apartment, towering over the city and boasting “one hundred windows,” “at least a million steps,” and plenty of interesting neighbors, is pretty much all the residence a kid could want. Unfortunately, one particular occupant, Herbert Singletary, is out to make life miserable for Portico and his best friend, Zola. Fired up by their common passion for Super Space Warriors (and by Portico’s longing for a role in a superhero universe), the friends envision Portico as Stuntboy, a sort of caped guardian who does the physical dirty work of intervention so that superheroes will be safe. Stuntboy’s skills are needed now more than ever to defuse his parents’ fights over personal property as they prepare for a separation that’s obvious to everyone but Portico. .... [T]he presentation is successfully buoyed by the interplay of Portico’s overly literal tendencies (e.g., he understands “in the meantime” to allude to his parents’ “mean time” skirmishes) and by and by Raúl the Third’s ebullient digital illustrations, which shine as a love letter to working class urban life.
The Horn Book
*"This ingeniously crafted illustrated novel offers a multifaceted and heartfelt take on the classic superhero story. Portico Reeves is a kid with a “secret secret”—he likes to think of himself as Stuntboy, a homegrown and self-styled superhero whose power is “making sure all the other heroes stay super. And safe. Supersafe.” The selfless Stuntboy protects the quirky and racially diverse cast of characters in his apartment building, particularly his own family members and his best friend Zola. Instead of super strength or flight, Stuntboy performs a variety of odd “stunts” to help others, which also lets him burn off some energy. When he is Stuntboy, the young hero isn’t affected by his anxiety, or “the frets,” which are made worse for Portico by his parents’ constant bickering and his relentless bullying by “Herbert Singletary the Worst.” In ten episodic chapters, Reynolds employs fast-paced, realistic dialogue loaded with wordplay and humor. .... Raúl the Third’s cartoon illustrations are integral, active components of the story....the art makes Portico’s world feel real and vibrant. Bay’s color work is invaluable, oscillating between pulsating palettes and subdued screentones. Keeping to the superhero tradition, the creators end on a cliffhanger, leaving readers with a promise of more adventures to come."
AudioFile Magazine Winner of an AudioFile Earphones Award
"With endless energy, verve, and style, Guy Lockard is a total superstar narrating this middle-grade novel about Portico Reeves, aka Stuntboy."
OCTOBER 2021 - AudioFile
With endless energy, verve, and style, Guy Lockard is a total superstar narrating this middle-grade novel about Portico Reeves, aka Stuntboy. Supported by a lively cast and a dynamic production, Lockard tells Portico’s origin story—Portico loves life in his apartment building, but every time he catches his mom and dad arguing, he feels “the frets” (cue the red-alert sound effect!). So he and his best friend, Zola, invent superhero alter egos—as Stuntboy, maybe Portico can save his parents AND defeat neighbor and bully Herbert Singletary (THE WORST!). This adaptation is a special and unique audio experience, and along with Jason Reynolds’s smart, funny, empathetic writing that meets kids where they are, it’s guaranteed to catch and keep the attention of even the most reluctant reader or listener. J.M.D. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2021 Best Audiobook, 2023 Odyssey Award, 2023 Audies Winner © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2021-09-01
Not-so-secret superhero by day and kid from apartment 4D by day as well, Portico “Stuntboy” Reeves will need all his tricks to withstand the great threat facing his family and the anxiety that comes with it.
Portico loves living in Skylight Gardens, an apartment complex as large as a castle, but he cherishes the people and community the most—with the exception of Herbert Singletary the Worst. Herbert is a bully and often a source of Portico’s “frets,” or debilitating anxiety, but neighbor and bestie Zola provides great support to both Portico and his super alter ego. The latter’s purpose is to keep all the other uniquely heroic folk in Skylight Gardens safe through an arsenal of self-sacrificing distractions and awkward hijinks. Raul the Third’s illustrations are both dynamic and cleverly slapstick as Portico skillfully tumbles down stairs to prevent an older resident from falling or flops in front of his parents to momentarily stop them from fighting. Reynolds’ narrative gradually reveals the impact Portico’s parents’ impending separation is having on their deeply sensitive son even as he can’t fully grasp what’s going on around him. Superlative, action-packed art and cheeky narration combine to tell a story of emotional intelligence on a superheroic scale while remaining consistently funny and undeniably thoughtful. Most characters read as Black.
A boy finds a creative coping mechanism in this original tale that speaks to the heart. (additional sketches) (Adventure. 7-12)
