The points of issue
First edition 2000, Dial Books for Young Readers, New York. Dial of this period does not state 'First Edition'; the first printing is identified by a complete number line ending in 1; copyright 2000. Paper boards in a first-state dust jacket without the Newbery Medal seal. Sequel to A Long Way from Chicago.
Is this the true first?
US true first. Awarded the Newbery Medal in 2001.
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 Year Down Yonder a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First edition 2000, Dial Books for Young Readers, New York. Dial of this period does not state 'First Edition'; the first printing is identified by a complete number line ending in 1; copyright 2000. Paper boards in a first-state dust jacket without the Newbery Medal seal. Sequel to A Long Way from Chicago.
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 2001.
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 Year Down Yonder — 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.