Just Holding On

New York Times bestselling author Aisha Saeed’s suspenseful novel in verse showcases the resilience of four kids left dangling by a wire when their makeshift gondola breaks down.

Just over a year ago, a devastating earthquake hit Tariq’s home in the mountains of Pakistan, destroying most of the town, including Tariq’s school. Now the nearest town with a school is a two-hour hike away, up and down the mountains. That is until their town gets Dolly, a makeshift gondola, cobbled together so the trip to the next town is just a five-minute ride zipping high over the valley below.

On the last day of school, Tariq nervously climbs aboard Dolly. He’s worried about the final exam he has to pass, and the fact that he has to sneak off to take it, as his mom wanted him to stay home to care for his sick brother. But all those worries are forgotten when halfway through the trip one of Dolly’s cables snaps. Tariq and the other students are stuck, hanging by a wire in midair. The kids struggle to keep each other’s spirits up as they wait for hours to be rescued. As daylight fades and the winds pick up, hope wanes for Tariq and his friend Aya—the last two kids stranded. In the dark of night, they open their hearts to each other about the past year and all they lost, and about their hopes for the future—if they live long enough to see it. As morning dawns, and a new kind of help approaches, Tariq realizes for the first time how proud he is of their town’s resilience—a resilience that will need to assert itself again in a daring rescue.

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