Reviews

In the Meantime by Jason Reynolds

jenmangler's review

3.0

Liked, didn't love. Younger readers would definitely enjoy it. I appreciate that Jason Reynolds is branching out and trying new things.

bibliobrandie's review

3.0

A graphic novel that tackles issues like anxiety and parents separating. It felt a little hard to follow at times and the graphics overwhelmed me. I think younger kids will love it though.

gillianengelbrecht's review

funny sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

breakfastgrey's review

1.0

This book didn’t work for me at all. Its heart is firmly in the right place and it would be a lovely animated audiobook or TV show but the writing style is excessive. It’s meant to read like a kid telling a story, but you know who aren’t very good at telling stories? Most kids. The worst part? It doesn’t even end. It literally just stops and tags a to be continued.

bickie's review

4.0

Format is a kind of visual-text hybrid style like Diary of a Wimpy Kid or some of the Big Nate books. Fun wordplay. As Portico Reeves befriends a new girl at school (and in his apartment building/castle) and deals with the resident bully, Herbert Singletary the Worst, his parents begin fighting over which household items will go to which of the two new apartments they are getting (read: because they are divorcing, but Portico doesn't figure that out until later). Portico (super-secret, not-so-secret-now-that-we-know-it-identity=Stuntboy) also needs to deal with anxiety, which he calls the Frets. They move all his insides into the wrong places.
Possibly some readers will make connections between the episodes of Portico's favorite TV show, Super Space Warriors, and his parents. The main characters of SSW are siblings Mater and Pater, whose job is to save the Sun, but they frequently get sidetracked and thwarted by their own bickering.

meganmcc1234's review

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

shelbyaye's review

Just couldn’t get into it

sparklethenpop's review

4.0

2022 Popsugar Reading Challenge: A book you can read in one sitting.
Book Riot Read Harder Challenge 2022: Read an adventure story by a BIPOC author.

readmoreyall's review

4.0

I think this is a 4-5 stars for the target audience. I think that the audiobook is also amazingly produced. I think the younger middle grades readers will love this.

beyondevak's review

4.0

Quick Summary: The story of Stuntboy was so good and quite relatable, in all truth. I cannot believe how much Reynolds was able to capture in this youth tale. Portico, the main character, had a life that was all of ours, in one fashion or another. He faced ups, downs, sideways, and in-betweens, both internally and externally. In the end, he landed in a new place. The new place represented a genesis moment on his journey into better knowing himself.

Rating: 4.25/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: YA