The points of issue
Copyright page states First Edition with 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 Henry Holt hardcover is the true first; UK and other editions follow.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
No notable book-club edition; later mass-market reprints appear under paperback imprints with different pagination and ISBN.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Beet Queen a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Copyright page states First Edition with 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 Henry Holt hardcover is the true first; UK and other editions follow.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
No notable book-club edition; later mass-market reprints appear under paperback imprints with different pagination and ISBN.
I have a first edition of The Beet Queen — 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.