Fireboat

Meet the John J. Harvey—the fireboat that fought the fires after the events of September 11, 2001—in this remarkable picture book that eloquently pays tribute to one of America’s darkest days with sensitivity, heroism, and honor.

★ “A hundred years from now, when people want to know what we told our children about 9/11, Kalman's book should be among the first answers.”—Booklist (starred review)

★ “Exciting, uplifting, and child-sensitive. . . . Revisits the tragedy without the terror and conveys pride without preachiness."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)

Learn about the inspiring true story of the John J. Harvey—a retired New York City fireboat that helped fight the fires at Ground Zero on September 11—in this picture book that compassionately uncovers the events surrounding that fateful day in 2001. Originally launched in 1931, the Harvey was the most powerful fireboat of her time. But after retiring due to inactivity, no one ever thought the ship would work again. That is, until a group of friends decided to save it from the scrap heap.

Then, one sunny September day in 2001, something horrible happened in New York City that shook the whole world. With fire hydrants at Ground Zero inoperable and the Hudson River's water supply critical to fighting the blaze, the fire department called on the Harvey for help. The fireboat's volunteer crew pumped much-needed water to the disaster site until the fires were extinguished, saving lives, preventing further destruction, and proving to be one of New York City’s bravest.

Heroic, uplifting, and honest, Fireboat tells the true story of one ship’s vitality, the hope it provided for its people, and how its latest mission confirms that old heroes never die.

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