Every year during the Autumn Equinox Festival, villagers light lanterns and send them down the river, believing they will journey as stars to the Milky Way. This year, Ben and his friends make a pact: They’ll follow the lanterns on their bicycles to see where they actually end up. Soon everyone but Ben and brown-skinned Nathaniel, a straggler who doesn’t quite fit in with the group, has given up and turned back. The two boys cross the bridge into a magical parallel universe, where they meet a talking fisherbear in search of fish—or are they the lanterns?—that appear each equinox. When they become separated from the bear and lose their way, they stumble upon a telephone that connects them to Madam Majestic, who lives in a Cliffside hideaway, concocts potions, and is willing to draw them a map while she awaits the arrival of the mysterious Enlightened Ones, whom she fears may be lost in the fog. Reminiscent of a Miyazaki film, this otherworldly graphic novel evokes the enchantment of nighttime and the tendency of a perilous adventure to strengthen the bonds of friendship. (Ages 9–13)

A magical-realist adventure following two boys on a daring night-time quest, perfect for fans of quirky graphic novels.

Winner of the 2019 Booklist Editor's Choice, Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year, and Parents Magazine Best Children's Books of the Year.

On the night of the annual Autumn Equinox Festival, the town gathers to float paper lanterns down the river. Legend says they'll soar off to the Milky Way and turn into brilliant stars, but could that be true? This year, Ben and his classmates make a pact to find out, with two rules: No one turns for home. No one looks back.

Together, Ben and Nathaniel, the quirky kid who doesn't seem to fit in, travel farther than anyone has gone before. Down a winding road full of magic, wonder, unexpected friendship... and a talking bear.

Join them on an astonishing journey in This Was Our Pact, a whimsical graphic novel perfect for middle-grade readers and anyone who believes in the power of friendship and wonder.