Stuntboy

Portico's superhero identity, Stuntboy, symbolizes courage. After Portico invents this imaginary identity for himself, he starts becoming Stuntboy almost every day. As Stuntboy, Portico is able to face and conquer her worst fears. Being Stuntboy lets Portico believe in himself and act in a strong and empowered way.

The Frets

The frets symbolize anxiety. Portico refers to his anxiety as the frets because it helps him to understand the condition better. Throughout the novel, the frets manifest in Portico's body as restlessness, nausea, fear, sweating, and distraction. Although Portico is accustomed to the frets, he is also eager to find a way to overcome them. The author uses the frets as a way to help the reader understand the more complex parts of living with anxiety.

Super Space Warriors

The superhero show Super Space Warriors symbolizes fantasy and magic. Whenever Portico tells Zola about his parents'...