This is a graphic novel, large comic book, thing. Whatever you want to call it. A novel with images.
I just yeah, here's an amazon summary, "It's the night of the annual Autumn Equinox Festival, when the town gathers to float paper lanterns down the river. 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. No one looks back.
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.
Together, Nathaniel and Ben will travel farther than anyone has ever gone, down a winding road full of magic, wonder, and unexpected friendship*.
*And a talking bear." AMAZON LINK OF JUSTICE
This is a coming of age story that kind of deals with bullying, but also kind of like how to maintain an enthusiasm or zest for life? I mean... I don't know. Let me summarize.
A group of kids attend their town's lantern festival where they set lanterns with fish painted on them down the river. This year, their determined to follow the lanterns to see where they actually go. They set out as a group, they start winding down the path on their bikes, and the 'nerd' shows up to join them. They don't wait for him to catch up, they keep pushing on... until one by one they start dropping off at different points except for the 'nerd' and Ben.
Then, the world gets all magical and it becomes a weird guessing game of is this real, or is this an allegory? The boys venture beyond the point where their parents warned them not to, and they meet up with a fishbear. There's a very clear way that Ben reacts, and there's a very clear but very different way that Nathaniel reacts (the nerd). The fishbear has a different reason to be out there, and asks for their story, which reveals the town folklore behind the lantern festival.
That's enough summary.
I kind of don't like this book a bit. I wanted it to teach some sort of lesson besides the value of 'real friendship' but like that real friendship is basically Ben being a jerk to Nathaniel the entire story, and then Nathaniel having sympathy for him to a point even after Ben freaks out, and then they're like friends anyways?! So are you trying to teach people that it's cool to pursue a friendship with an abusive person?!? >_> It really left an unsettling taste in my mouth through the story to see Nathaniel constantly looked down upon by Ben. The entire story. Like, legit Ben was going to ditch Nathaniel to a witch of sorts to go home but "found it within himself" to save the nerd. Like, SCREW YOU BEN. You wouldn't have even been on this adventure at all if it weren't for Nathaniel making the best of each scenario and pushing you to follow what you want.
Where is the book about what a HEALTHY friendship looks like? Why couldn't that have been an integral part of the story and then whisk us off through the series of allegories and different beings with different ways of operating/looking at the world with different priorities.
This book could have been so much better if it wanted to show people a better way to be. Screw Ben, screw his lack of compassion and bravery when facing down the criticisms of the other kids. Ben should not be rewarded for being a part of that at all. It makes me mad.
I think this also speaks to a larger theme of society on some levels. Like giving this weird acceptance/making it okay that if at one point you were a piece of crap human being, but now you're reluctantly trying to be less of a piece of crap, you get all the gold stars. No, if you were crap, you understand you were crap, you apologize to the people you hurt, you make it right, and that's how you become less of a piece of crap. IT'S HARD. It's not supposed to be easy; the biggest things worth doing are often the hardest.
People matter, people deserve to be treated well, people deserve care, people deserve compassion, and they shouldn't have to break down other ridiculous barriers to earn it.
So you know what? Thanks Nathaniel for finding it in your heart to forgive Ben enough to continue to go on an adventure with him. But Ben, work to make up for your past transgressions. A promise of never doing it again is not something that can undo past harm since a promise can always be broken. But beware of toxic people who would sooner treat you like dirt to make sure they could fit in with the other people. Don't let yourself become broken Nathaniel.
....end rant. I clearly disliked this book, but you know, the art was pretty gorgeous. The uses of different shades of blue were dynamic and enhanced so much of the story.
.......I could have just used a way much better message.
Happy reading. :|
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