Dr. Stone

Gr 9 Up--High schooler Senku is one of the smartest human beings on the planet, and the world needs him now more than ever! When every living being on Earth is inexplicably turned to stone for millennia, science-savvy Senku doesn't miss a beat when he wakes up after thousands of years. Knowing that humanity must continue, Senku (with a little help from his friends) uses all the knowledge he possesses to rebuild and find out why everything happened in the first place. This is an absolutely special work, with an extremely thoughtful story (even if it is totally over the top and outrageous) and a fantastical setting. The book's characters are diverse and complex; readers will even empathize with the villain. While some of the science featured in the story is more wishful thinking than realistic, the explanations provided are convincing. The art is thorough and well done, and readers will marvel as much at the illustrations as at the writing. Senku doesn't spend chapter after chapter obtaining what he needs to become a legend as in most shonen manga; instead, he already possesses what's needed to survive in this situation. The anime's third season is scheduled to run in 2022. VERDICT An outstanding way to begin a series.