This Was Our Pact

At their town’s Autumn Equinox Festival Ben and three friends plan to follow floating paper lanterns down the dark river to see where they eventually go and they make a pact not to turn back. To Ben’s annoyance Nathaniel, a boy who doesn’t fit in, follows them but when his friends turn back Nathaniel alone continues the journey with Ben, the two have a magical adventure, and Ben learns the true meaning of friendship. This engaging graphic novel, with compelling artwork, examines wonder, personal growth, friendship, and the difficulties of navigating middle school. Suitable for whole class novel study or literature circle choice and to study storytelling and the graphic novel genre.