Dr. Stone Vol 2 by Riichero Inagaki

Illustrated by Boichi

Senku succeeds in making gunpowder. An experiment gone wrong sends smoke billowing in the air, signaling their location to Tsukasa. But off in the distance, other smoke columns rise. Who could be setting these? We also go back to the moment when Senku wakes, and we see just how many experiments he tried in the early days.  This time is very different than after Taiju wakes up because most of the experiments Senku does with his friend are successful, but those he does alone are an exercise in patience that Senku doesn't always have.  We also see Senku as a child, and that what sparked his voracious appetite for Science was his life-long dream of becoming an astronaut.

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This story gives a needed glimpse into the background of Senku.  Volume one focused much more on Taiju and his potential relationship with Yuzuriha, and Senku played a supporting character roll. I think Senku's dreams will definitely resonate with young readers, and it's important that they see being an astronaut requires a lot of commitment from them, even as children.  And, if there was any doubt about the role Science plays in this series, volume two dispels them.  I'm not an expert in Science by any means, but some basic Googling confirms that the formulas and components of reactions are correct, but the quickness of reactions themselves are exaggerated (which makes sense - would we be entertained watching characters sit around for pages waiting for something to happen?).  The interesting storyline coupled with this inclusion of Science makes this a no-brainer purchase for school libraries.

Sara's Rating: 10/10
Suitability Level: Grades 7-12

Reviews of previous volumes in this series: vol 1

Tags: Rating: 10/10, Suitability: Middle School, Suitability: High School, Manga, Science