Notes from Band Camp

Off to band camp with besties Bao and Linnéa, eighth grader Tuva is anxious! She's spending time away from dad and doesn't know if she and Mariam (her crush) should make it official? How do you do that, anyway?

Created in a diary style and beautifully handlettered by the author, this is the sequel to the Stonewall-winning title, Cross My Heart and Never Lie--the third book in the Norwegian series that is beloved all over the world.

Seventh grade is over and Tuva, Linnéa, and Bao are going on a school band trip where anything can happen! Linnéa has a plan: she’s going to get a boyfriend. Bao just wants to play the drums. And Tuva? Tuva's instrument is clarinet, but she starts wishing she played saxophone as soon as she begins feeling insecure. Her biggest goal? Asking Mariam to be "official" girlfriends, just like Linnéa says they should.

But Mariam meets an old friend on the bus ride--and suddenly there's no room for Tuva. Maybe Mariam prefers Amanda? It seems that way since they're bunking together. At Karaoke, things get even worse. This isn't how band camp was supposed to be, and now Tuva isn’t so sure MAriam even likes her

What’s the difference between a girlfriend and a best friend when you’re a girl in love with another girl? In this heartfelt coming-of-age graphic diary, the sequel to the Stonewall winner Cross My Heart and Never Lie, Tuva gets caught up again—between feeling like she’s in love and feeling like she’ll never be a real teenager.

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