Braid by Braid

A poignant coming-of-age novel-in-verse about an Indian-American girl who must find the courage to be herself and stand up to her bullies—for fans of Starfish and Red, White and Whole.

"All honesty and heart. It’s easy to root for Kapardini."—Andrea Beatriz Arango, Newbery Honor-winning author of Iveliz Explains It All

I’ve learned that I can braid
anything—even the bullies.
I sort out their words
making them neat and tight
placing them where they
cannot reach me.


Eighth grade isn't going well for Kapardini. The bullies seem worse than ever, her friend Mariah has shut her out, and she cannot find her voice, afraid to speak even in class. Kapardini copes by braiding her hair ritually, as if by plaiting her experiences together she can keep her emotions tightly contained. Then a rumor reaches her—her classmates think she has a crush on Mariah. But that’s not true . . . or is it?
Kapardini thinks back on her friendship with Mariah, about all the feelings she keeps buried, not ready to face. One thing is for certain: Kapardini is tired of all the hurtful words, tired of the storm of emotions swirling inside her, waiting to be free. Something must change.
An achingly beautiful novel in verse about a girl learning how to find her voice, stand up to her bullies, and make space for her truest self.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs