Stuntboy, In-Between Time (Stuntboy, Book 2) Jason Reynolds – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Stuntboy, In-Between Time (Stuntboy, Book 2) Jason Reynolds

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2023

89%

WISE Score

4.4

Amazon

A kid superhero battles divorce, anxiety, and stairwell bullies—with humor, heart, and a secret art hideout.

Stuntboy, In-Between Time (Stuntboy, Book 2) Jason Reynolds

book

2023

89%

WISE Score

4.4

Amazon

A kid superhero battles divorce, anxiety, and stairwell bullies—with humor, heart, and a secret art hideout.

4.4

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Screenwise Verdict

This is what good middle-grade fiction looks like in 2023. Reynolds writes with the kind of authenticity that makes kids feel seen—Portico's anxiety isn't a Very Special Episode, it's just part of who he is. The divorce stuff is handled with humor (calling his parents 'Xs' because it sounds like coughing up a hairball is genius) without minimizing the real sadness of split households.

The verse-novel format is a smart move. It makes the book feel fast and accessible, which is clutch for kids who might otherwise bounce off a 200-page chapter book. Raúl the Third's illustrations add visual punch. The plot—finding a secret apartment hideout, turning it into an art space, dealing with the fallout—is engaging without being over-the-top.

This isn't a book that's going to change the world, but it's solid, warm, and genuinely funny. If your kid is navigating divorce, anxiety, or just needs a book that feels like a friend, this delivers.

Age Fit

Perfect for ages 8-12, especially kids dealing with family changes or who need a book that feels accessible. The verse format and illustrations make it less intimidating than traditional chapter books, while the emotional depth keeps older middle-graders engaged.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Tackles divorce and anxiety with age-appropriate sensitivity while centering friendship, vulnerability, and humor. Models healthy coping through creative expression (drawing) and peer support. The narrative treats Portico's 'frets' (anxiety) with respect and shows kids navigating difficult emotions without trauma-dumping.

Imaginative

The superhero alter-ego framework lets kids explore identity and coping mechanisms through metaphor. The discovery of an empty apartment as a creative hideout—where the trio makes it their own through 'stunts of the drawing kind'—invites artistic expression. Reynolds' verse-novel format with Raúl the Third's illustrations creates a visually dynamic reading experience that feels fresh.

Safe

No content warnings. Divorce is handled with humor ('Xs' sounds like a hairball) rather than trauma. Bullies in stairwells are present but not graphic or violent. The biggest conflict involves drawing in an empty apartment and adult disapproval—very middle-grade stakes. Common Sense Media notes it's 'introspective and hopeful' with no red flags.

Enriching

Provides vocabulary and metaphors for anxiety ('the frets') that give kids language for their feelings. Shows divorce from a kid's perspective—the in-between feeling of split households—with empathy and without melodrama. The friendship dynamics with Herbert and Zola model collaboration. Reynolds is a Newbery honoree known for authentic middle-grade voices, and the book delivers emotional intelligence wrapped in action and humor.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Jason Reynolds nails the middle-grade voice—funny, vulnerable, and real without being preachy
The verse-novel format with illustrations makes it fast-paced and perfect for kids who find chapter books intimidating
Gives kids concrete language for anxiety ('the frets') and shows coping through creativity and friendship
Divorce is treated with humor and honesty—the 'in-between time' of split households feels authentic
Raúl the Third's illustrations add visual energy that keeps reluctant readers engaged

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What to Watch For

Divorce is a central theme—handled well, but might hit close to home for some families
Mild anxiety representation (helpful for most kids, but check in if your child is particularly sensitive)
Stairwell bullies are present but not graphic—more intimidating presence than actual violence

Conversation Starters

"Portico calls his anxiety 'the frets.' What would you call that feeling when you're worried about something?"
"He feels stuck 'in-between' his parents' apartments. Have you ever felt in-between in your own life?"
"The kids turn an empty apartment into their own space with drawings. If you had a secret hideout, what would you do with it?"
"Why do you think the grown-ups got upset about the drawings? Were they right to be worried?"

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