The Climber, Vol. 1

Gr 7 Up–When Buntaro Mori enters a new high school, he is showered with attention from classmates and faculty alike, but the severely withdrawn student just wants everyone to leave him alone. This doesn’t sit well with one of his boisterous classmates, Miyamoto. When Miyamoto challenges Mori to a free-solo (ropeless) climbing challenge, with the stipulation that he’ll only leave him alone if he completes it, Mori accepts. Surprisingly, Mori completes the challenge, but what he doesn’t expect is the realization that he might want more than solitude and that climbing might be the missing piece in his life. While the book walks readers through the ins and outs of a sport they might not know well, it does not read like a typical shonen sports manga. More cerebral than others in its genre, this work is filled with fascinating introspective looks into Mori’s mindset that will hook teens who see themselves mirrored in his internal reflections. Characters deal with lack of confidence and must find creative ways to achieve their goals considering obstacles, making this a fantastic title for showing young adults that it’s okay to step outside of their comfort zones. Though the pacing can sometimes be slow, the deep narrative and incredibly detailed artwork give readers much to pore over.