The points of issue
Tor hardcover, published October 2011, with First Edition stated and a full number line ending in 1; jacket priced. Third Zones of Thought novel.
Is this the true first?
The US Tor hardcover (2011) is the true first.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Copies lacking the priced jacket and the stated first edition with full number line suggest a book club or later printing.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of The Children of the Sky a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: Tor hardcover, published October 2011, with First Edition stated and a full number line ending in 1; jacket priced. Third Zones of Thought novel.
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 Tor hardcover (2011) is the true first.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Copies lacking the priced jacket and the stated first edition with full number line suggest a book club or later printing.
I have a first edition of The Children of the Sky — 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.