The Passage of Jamie Quill

Spine-tingling suspense aboard the Titanic’s sister ship as an orphan tries to escape his criminal uncle by pulling one last con—posing as a first-class passenger.

Twelve-year-old Jamie has never wanted to steal anything. But after the tragic death of his grandma, his conniving pickpocket uncle is the only family he has—even if Uncle is nothing like family at all. As much as he hates thievery, it’s his only way out. If he’s going to escape to freedom in America, he’ll need the funds to start a new life. And in order to get those funds, he’ll have to do exactly what Uncle demands—pretending to be a posh, first class boy aboard the White Star Line RMS Olympic.

Jamie is anything but the wealthy boy he’s pretending to be. He’s starving, for one, and it’s hard to get close to people you’re going to rob. But when he accidentally steals the diary of a boy his age—a real first class boy, the kind he can never truly become—he starts an unlikely friendship that could change both of their lives forever. As long as Jamie doesn’t get caught.

Rendered with warmth and immersive historical detail, Kate Albus’ latest middle grade is an unforgettable tale of the transformative power of kindness.

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