Brilliantly enchanting.' - Kirkus, s tarred review This story's a quiet one in which danger flickers and hope flares at odd but fruitful moments.the primarily blue and red mixed-media pictures underscore how nighttime sometimes promises transformation. 'Andrews' marvelously melancholic, earnest graphic novel, at its core an exercise in whimsical self-reflection. 'An original and much-needed view of the complex world of middle-school friendships.' - New York Times Together, Nathaniel and Ben will travel farther than anyone has ever gone, down a winding road full of magic, wonder, and unexpected friendship*. The plan is to follow the river on their bikes for as long as it takes to learn the truth, but it isn't long before the pact is broken by all except for Ben and (much to Ben's disappointment) Nathaniel, the one kid who just doesn't seem to fit in. Legend has it that after drifting out of sight, they'll soar off to the Milky Way and turn into brilliant stars, but could that actually be true? This year, Ben and his classmates are determined to find out where those lanterns really go, and to ensure success in their mission, they've made a pact with two simple rules: No one turns for home. It's the night of the annual Autumn Equinox Festival, when the town gathers to float paper lanterns down the river. Ryan Andrews's This Was Our Pact is an astonishing, magical-realist adventure story for middle-grade readers.

A 2019 Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the YearĪ 2019 Parents Magazine Best Children's Books of the Year

This was our pact ryan andrews