The points of issue
First edition 2001, Clarion Books, New York. Clarion of this period does not state 'First Edition'; the first printing is identified by a complete number line ending in 1; copyright 2001. Paper boards in a first-state dust jacket (illustration by Jean and Mou-sien Tseng) without the Newbery Medal seal.
Is this the true first?
US true first. Awarded the Newbery Medal in 2002.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
A number line not ending in 1 indicates a later printing. Book-club editions lack a jacket price, and post-award jackets add the Newbery Medal seal.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of A Single Shard a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First edition 2001, Clarion Books, New York. Clarion of this period does not state 'First Edition'; the first printing is identified by a complete number line ending in 1; copyright 2001. Paper boards in a first-state dust jacket (illustration by Jean and Mou-sien Tseng) without the Newbery Medal seal.
How do I tell the first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention and confirm the points above. US true first. Awarded the Newbery Medal in 2002.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
A number line not ending in 1 indicates a later printing. Book-club editions lack a jacket price, and post-award jackets add the Newbery Medal seal.
I have a first edition of A Single Shard — what should I do?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque, any condition, and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. To sell, see the author's collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.