The points of issue
First edition 1990, Little, Brown (Boston). The first printing states 'First Edition' on the copyright page with a number line ending in 1; copyright 1990. Pictorial cloth; first-state jacket without the Newbery Medal seal.
Is this the true first?
US true first. Newbery Medal 1991.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Absence of the 'First Edition' statement or a number line not ending in 1 indicates a later printing; book-club editions typically lack a jacket price; post-award jacket states add the seal.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Maniac Magee a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First edition 1990, Little, Brown (Boston). The first printing states 'First Edition' on the copyright page with a number line ending in 1; copyright 1990. Pictorial cloth; first-state jacket 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. Newbery Medal 1991.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Absence of the 'First Edition' statement or a number line not ending in 1 indicates a later printing; book-club editions typically lack a jacket price; post-award jacket states add the seal.
I have a first edition of Maniac Magee — 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.