After Kodi is saved, he returns the favor to his lonely friend. ISBN 9781603094672.Īn outcast named Katya stumbles upon a bear, Kodi, who is caught in a trap. He's even more nervous when he realizes that, unlike in his Washington Heights neighborhood, at Riverdale, he's one of the few kids of color. In the Newbery-winning graphic novel, Jordan Banks is anxious about being the new kid at Riverdale, especially since he'd rather be going to art school. This time, the narrative prioritizes darker-skinned Drew’s perspective, juxtaposing full-color artwork with Jordan’s grayscale cartoons to illustrate issues of race, class, and plain old pubescence. The fast-paced, riotously funny sequel to New Kid follows aspiring artist Jordan and best friends Liam and Drew as they begin eighth grade at New York City’s upscale Riverdale Academy Day School. ISBN 9781626724440.Ī fictionalized graphic memoir captures the ups and downs (let's be honest-mostly downs) of a stint at a Russian Orthodox summer camp.Ĭlass Act by Jerry Craft. This year, something is different.īe Prepared by Vera Brosgol. And every year, a group of boys ride their bikes along the river to follow the lanterns, always stopping partway through. ISBN 9781250196958Įach year, during the Autumn Equinox Festival, the townsfolk release lanterns into the nearby river in honor of a local folk song. Together, Nathaniel and Ben will travel farther than anyone has ever gone, down a winding road full of magic, wonder, and unexpected friendship*.Whether kids want to vicariously experience summer camp shenanigans, learn about the ultimate lemonade stand rivalry, or get a head start on Halloween with vampires and werewolves, there's something in these middle grade graphic novels for everyone. 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 graphic novel