The points of issue
Copyright page carries a complete number line descending to 1; first-issue dust jacket carries the printed retail price on the front flap.
Is this the true first?
The US Houghton Mifflin hardcover (April 2005) is the true first; the UK Hamish Hamilton edition follows.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No notable book-club edition; later reprints appear under paperback imprints.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Copyright page carries a complete number line descending to 1; first-issue dust jacket carries the printed retail price on the front flap.
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. The US Houghton Mifflin hardcover (April 2005) is the true first; the UK Hamish Hamilton edition follows.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No notable book-club edition; later reprints appear under paperback imprints.
I have a first edition of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close — 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.