The points of issue
Cloth-backed boards (red cloth spine, speckled paper-covered boards). Copyright page carries a number line descending to 1. First-state dust jacket present.
Is this the true first?
US Houghton Mifflin (Boston), 1989, is the true first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
By 1989 Houghton Mifflin identified first printings by a number line ending in 1, not by a printed First Printing statement; confirm the line descends to 1.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Among Schoolchildren a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Cloth-backed boards (red cloth spine, speckled paper-covered boards). Copyright page carries a number line descending to 1. First-state dust jacket present.
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 Houghton Mifflin (Boston), 1989, is the true first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
By 1989 Houghton Mifflin identified first printings by a number line ending in 1, not by a printed First Printing statement; confirm the line descends to 1.
I have a first edition of Among Schoolchildren — 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.