Top Heavy

This heart-stopping debut novel in verse about a talented dancer struggling to give herself grace in the wake of an assault is a gut-wrenching masterpiece.

A YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Title

Fifteen-year-old Esme lives and breathes dance. Alongside her best friend, Mia, she is happiest when in the studio… sweating, stretching, soaring. And after a summer of nonstop practice, Esme and Mia earn coveted spots on the Elite dance team. Now that they’ve proven themselves to Miss Regina and the senior girls, it should be smooth sailing.

Except that Esme and Mia took the spots of two popular, well-liked dancers.
Except that Esme's dad hasn't been able to work for months, and there’s hardly enough money for groceries, never mind dance tuition and recital costumes.
Except that a stranger touches Esme during a night out, touches the breasts that have always felt like giant targets.

After years of being oversexualized for her large chest, this is the violation that pushes Esme over the edge. Was it her fault? Could she have stopped it? Why can’t she just be different? Esme stumbles, off kilter and adrift from her loved ones, struggling to find the strong, central cord that will pull her up and allow her to soar again.

This dazzling, tour-de-force debut tackles friendship, first love, and sexual assault, along with the full emotional range of life as a teenage girl. Esme musters strength she didn’t know she had—and learns to lean on others to find the right support. An unforgettable read.

A Pedro and Daniel Intersectionality Book Awards Commended Title

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