# Is "Rebels of the Heavenly Kingdom" by Katherine Paterson a First Edition?

> **Quick answer.** A first edition of Rebels of the Heavenly Kingdom by Katherine Paterson (Lodestar Books / E.P. Dutton, 1983) is identified by: Dutton first edition, New York, 1983. US Lodestar Books / E.P.

**Checklist — a true first has these:**
- Lodestar Books / E.P. Dutton first edition, New York, 1983
- First printing indicated on the copyright page
- First-issue dust jacket (design by Kinuko Craft) carries the original price
- Publisher imprint reads Lodestar Books / E.P. Dutton
- Not a book-club edition (see below)

| | |
|---|---|
| Author | Katherine Paterson |
| Publisher | Lodestar Books / E.P. Dutton |
| Year | 1983 |
| True first | US edition |
| Format | Children's / illustrated |
| Key point | Lodestar Books / E.P. Dutton first edition, New York, 1983 |
| Book-club edition exists? | Yes |

## Points of issue
Lodestar Books / E.P. Dutton first edition, New York, 1983. First printing indicated on the copyright page. First-issue dust jacket (design by Kinuko Craft) carries the original price.

## Is this the true first?
US Lodestar Books / E.P. Dutton edition is the true first.

## Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Book-club editions typically lack the printed jacket price.

## Source
New Mexico Literacy Project — Is *Rebels of the Heavenly Kingdom* by Katherine Paterson a first edition? https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/first-edition/rebels-of-the-heavenly-kingdom
CC BY 4.0. Part of the Canonical First-Edition Points of Issue dataset (https://newmexicoliteracyproject.org/api/first-edition-titles.json). Last reviewed 2026-07-03.