Eleven Kinds of Blue

An art-obsessed twelve-year-old learns to paint outside the lines to confront her fears and find her strength when her depressed mom's disastrous boyfriend moves in.

Twelve-year-old Margot Stafford is an observer and an artist, far different from her activist older brother and idol, Eli. She spends her time drawing and painting on her own and hanging out with her best friend, Suzanne. Her art class—taught by the eccentric Mr. Grunwald—is the one place where Margot can truly be herself. But even there, she holds on to worries about her depressed mother, whose boyfriend, JP, moves into their house and seems to change her mom in ways Margot can't understand.

JP becomes harsh and quick-tempered, and Eli is too busy to notice. For Margot, neither school nor home feels good right now. Trouble in Math class has forced her into an after-school tutoring program that she resents. And if all that weren't enough, Suzanne is drifting into another friend group and leaving Margot even more alone.

But the words of Mr. Grunwald give her confidence in her own art . . . and in her ability to recognize the beauty around her. A chance discovery in an abandoned art studio inspires Margot to follow a new path. Slowly, she finds that just as neglected artwork can be restored and celebrated . . . neglected people can be restored and celebrated, too.

The story of Margot brings to light the rich imagination of a child who finds herself adjacent to mental illness. With equal parts heartache and hope, this debut novel about one girl and her resilience is also a colorful picture of family love, even in the face of crisis.

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