This Was Our Pact - Hardcover

Andrews, Ryan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1250196957 ISBN 13: 9781250196958

Publisher: First Second, 2019

Synopsis

It's the night of the annual Autumn Equinox Festival, whenthe town gathers to float paper lanterns down the river. Legend has itthat after drifting out of sight, they'll soar off to the Milky Way andturn into brilliant stars, but could that actually be true? This year,Ben and his classmates are determined to find out where those lanternsreally go, and to ensure success in their mission, they've made a pactwith two simple rules: No one turns for home. No one looks back.

The plan is to follow the river on their bikes for as long as it takes tolearn the truth, but it isn't long before the pact is broken by allexcept for Ben, and (much to Ben's disappointment) Nathaniel, the onekid who just doesn't seem to fit in.

Together,Nathaniel and Ben will travel farther than anyone has ever gone, down awinding road full of magic, wonder, and unexpected friendship*.

*And a talking bear.

About this title

About the Author

Ryan Andrews is an illustrator and cartoonist currently living in the Japanese countryside. He works at his drawing desk in the early morning hours, drawing comics, illustrating book covers, and designing backgrounds for cartoons, all to the sound of rummaging wild boar and badgers that come from the surrounding forest seeking out shiitake mushrooms and fallen chestnuts. He has published several short stories, including the Eisner nominated Sarah and the Seed and Our Bloodstained Roof. This Was Our Pact is his first book with First Second.

Reviews

Gr 4–7—Each year, during the Autumn Equinox Festival, the townsfolk release lanterns into the nearby river in honor of a local folk song. And every year, a group of boys ride their bikes along the river to follow the lanterns, always stopping partway through. This year, they make a pact to follow the lanterns for as long as possible and discover where they go. But one by one, each rider turns back until the only ones left are narrator Ben and perpetual tag-along Nathaniel. The two boys discover wonders around them: an anthropomorphized bear, a potion maker, and more. This is a charming read, thanks to adventurous Nathaniel, who remains steadfast and self-assured despite enduring verbal bullying from the other boys, in contrast to insecure, timid Ben. The palette is dominated by an inky, navy blue sky infused with ethereal blue stars, occasionally interrupted by vibrant, warm hues. Imprecise linework mirrors the fluidity of the book's reality, and Ben has a Harry Potter–like appearance. VERDICT For readers who want an escapist fantasy with a light touch. Hand this title to fans of whimsical or unpredictable adventures such as Neil Gaiman's Fortunately, the Milk or Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time.—Alea Perez, Westmont Public Library, IL

Edition details

• Publisher: First Second
• Publication date: 2019
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1250196957
• ISBN 13: 9781250196958
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 336