The Extraterrestrial Zoo 1: Finding the Lost One

The middle grade debut by New York Times bestselling co-author of Between the Lines! Thirteen year old Ava helps run her family’s refuge for extraterrestrials. But then a sudden disaster exposes a government conspiracy that upends everything she believed to be true.

When meteors suddenly dropped to Earth -- containing eggs with extraterrestrial babies inside -- the government called in the experts. Ava’s parents hatched, cared for, raised, and researched these unique beings –- and Ava was part of the team. So many extraterrestrial living beings (ELBs) arrived that the government funded a Zoo for visitors to see them up close. It was a huge success in its day.

But now Ava is 13, and so much has changed. A terrible car accident claimed her mother. Her father, in deep despair, left Ava and the Zoo in the care of his brother, who’s healing from his own emotional wounds. Then the alien babies stopped coming, and so did the public.

So when fifteen year old Harley shows up as an intern for the Zoo, Ava feels blindsided. This is her show!

And then a terrible storm changes everything. Now the once-beloved ELBs are loose in the world, and being hunted. Ava’s uncle is MIA. And all she has is this strange new boy to help her save everything she loves.

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