This Was Our Pact

The color blue dominates much of the novel. Why do you think this is so? Examine places in the graphic novel when the color palette emphasizes blue and analyze how this contributes to plot, characterization, or themes.

The Knight on the Galactic Railroad by Kenji Miyazawa was one of Andrews’s inspirations for This Was Our Pact. Either read or research The Knight on the Galactic Railroad and compare and contrast the two works.

At the end of This Was Our Pact, Nathaniel and Ben say they are going to continue on and circumnavigate the earth. What clues in the story itself argue for or against this happening? Why do you think Andrews leaves the ending open?

The fisherbear offers wisdom and mentorship to Ben and Nathaniel, but he is sometimes wrong and often unintentionally funny. In what ways is the fisherbear both a wise and a comic figure? What point might Andrews be making by portraying the bear in this way?

What do Ben and Nathaniel believe about the equinox festival when the story begins, and what additional stories do they learn along the way? How do all of the stories connect to one another, and how are they different?

Which elements of This Was Our Pact make it an example of magical realism? How does this aspect of the novel help support its arguments about Cultivating Positivity and a Sense of Wonder?

How do the symbols of the lanterns, outer space, the Rice Krispies treats, and maps all relate to one another? How do these symbols support the story’s larger themes?

When Ben begins his journey, what is his understanding of his goal? How does his understanding change along the way?