How to Identify a Atheneum Books for Young Readers First Edition

How to identify a first printing

• Through 1986: explicitly states 'First Edition' on the copyright page
• Late 1980s onward: number line on copyright page with '1' present (1 indicates first printing); 'First Edition' statement also frequently used alongside
• First printing requires the number line to include / end in 1

Notable points & cautions

• Atheneum founded 1959; its children's department became a powerhouse (Newbery winners: E.L. Konigsburg's From the Mixed-Up Files 1967, The Westing Game 1978)
• Margaret K. McElderry Books (est. 1971) was the first eponymous children's imprint in US publishing; follows Atheneum house ID style. Now part of Simon & Schuster Children's
• Atheneum was absorbed into Macmillan then Simon & Schuster; imprint name persists. Older 'A Margaret K. McElderry Book' / 'A Jean Karl Book' lines on title pages help date but are not printing indicators

Imprints

First editions also appear under: Margaret K. McElderry Books, Anne Schwartz Books (historical), Richard Jackson Books / a Richard Jackson Book (historical), Jean Karl Books (historical). Each generally follows the house convention above.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my Atheneum Books for Young Readers book is a first edition?

Check the copyright page. Through 1986: explicitly states 'First Edition' on the copyright page Late 1980s onward: number line on copyright page with '1' present (1 indicates first printing); 'First Edition' statement also frequently used alongside

Does Atheneum Books for Young Readers use a number line?

Late 1980s onward: number line on copyright page with '1' present (1 indicates first printing); 'First Edition' statement also frequently used alongside

Is a book-club edition a Atheneum Books for Young Readers first edition?

No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Atheneum founded 1959; its children's department became a powerhouse (Newbery winners: E.L. Konigsburg's From the Mixed-Up Files 1967, The Westing Game 1978)

What era does this cover?

This covers Atheneum Books for Young Readers (1959–present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.