Dickens & Rumi
Cover of STUNTBOY, IN THE MEANTIME

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STUNTBOY, IN THE MEANTIME

Age rating, content warnings & parent guide

Jason Reynolds

Is STUNTBOY, IN THE MEANTIME appropriate for your child? See the reviewed age guidance, content cautions, positive themes, and supporting evidence below.

As a coping mechanism for his “frets,” a young boy creates a superhero alter ego. (Ages 7 to 12)

Ages 8+Book 1 · StuntboySource checked

Why this age? Best suited to middle-grade readers; anxiety, bullying, family conflict, and emotional distress may need discussion, but the superhero framing and supportive themes are accessible. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

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10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceAges 8+
Strongest cautionsFrightening scenes 2/5 · Violence 2/5 · Strong language 1/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 4/5 · Creativity & curiosity 4/5
Series positionBook 1 · Stuntboy
Recommendation4/5

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: frightening scenes.

This is the quick scan. Open the evidence and methodology below for the basis behind each rating.

Quick context

What parents should know

Best suited to middle-grade readers; anxiety, bullying, family conflict, and emotional distress may need discussion, but the superhero framing and supportive themes are accessible. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ. Courage & resilience; strongest caution: frightening scenes.

Readiness snapshotAge guidance: 8+Main watch-out: Frightening scenes 2/5
Recommendation 4/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
10Scored categories
10Evidence notes
0Explicit 0/5 checks
Oct 31, 2026Last updated

Dickens & Rumi describes what is present; families decide what matters to them. Community reactions are kept separate from official content ratings.

How ratings workReport a rating or series issue
Review depth10 scored categories10 evidence notes
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Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age8+

Strongest cautions

  • Frightening scenes2/5
  • Violence2/5
  • Strong language1/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Creativity & curiosity4/5
  • Good role models4/5

Reading order

Series progression

All known volumes are shown. Reviewed books include age guidance and cautions; books still being reviewed are clearly marked.

Next volumeBook 2 · STUNTBOY, IN-BETWEEN TIMEStrongest cautions: Frightening scenes 2/5 · Violence 2/5Open next review →
  1. Book 1 · STUNTBOY, IN THE MEANTIMEAges 8+
    Frightening scenes2/5Violence2/5Strong language1/5
    Starting point
  2. Book 2 · STUNTBOY, IN-BETWEEN TIMEAges 8+
    Frightening scenes2/5Violence2/5Romance1/5Strong language1/5
    About the same

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What should you do next?

One review should lead naturally to the next useful choice.

Lower cautionsTry something gentlerMrs Pepperpot and the TreasureOpen review →Similar fitCompare another titleSCARY STORIESCompare →Keep browsingSearch for another bookUse age, interests, vibe, or content preferences.Search →

Similar, with lighter cautions

Want something gentler?

These reviewed titles have overlapping age guidance and a lower total caution score than STUNTBOY, IN THE MEANTIME. Open each review for the details.

BOOKMrs Pepperpot and the TreasureAlf Prøysen; Hilda Offen · 2013Ages 5+4 points lighter on published cautionsBOOKMoldy Warp the moleAlison Uttley · 1940Ages 5+4 points lighter on published cautionsBOOKThe Extra DayAlgernon Blackwood · 1915Ages 8+2 points lighter on published cautions

What’s in it?

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

Occasional mild name-calling or schoolyard insults typical of middle-grade content.

Frightening scenes2/5
Why this rating?

Tension arises from the protagonist's anxiety and the emotional turmoil of his parents' arguments.

Violence2/5
Why this rating?

Occasional physical confrontations or 'stunts' performed by the protagonist; playground conflict is typical for the genre.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

The protagonist demonstrates significant courage in facing his 'frets' and personal challenges.

Creativity & curiosity4/5
Why this rating?

The superhero identity, episodic adventures, and graphic-novel format strongly encourage imaginative play and inventive thinking.

Diverse representation3/5
Why this rating?

Diverse representation of children in an urban setting, centered on well-developed characters with agency.

Educational value2/5
Why this rating?

Excellent for discussing emotional intelligence and mental health with young readers.

Kindness & empathy4/5
Why this rating?

Strong emphasis on friendship, support, and standing up for others.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

Promotes positive messages about managing anxiety, resilience, and the importance of empathy and communication.

Good role models4/5
Why this rating?

Portico is a relatable and brave protagonist, even when struggling, and he learns to articulate his needs.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. Which moment felt most tense or frightening? What helped the characters handle fear?
  3. Which choice in STUNTBOY, IN THE MEANTIME would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in STUNTBOY, IN THE MEANTIME, and what caused that change?
Discuss this title with other parents

Community perspective — separate from editorial ratings

What families noticed

Community signal

Community ratings and written reactions are a separate layer. They do not automatically change Dickens & Rumi’s official age guidance or content scores.

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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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