How to Identify a Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (LBYR) First Edition

How to identify a first printing

• Little, Brown house convention: modern firsts state 'First Edition' / 'First North American Edition' on copyright page, generally with a number line ending in 1
• Historically Little, Brown stated 'First Edition' or 'Published (Month, Year)' and removed it on later printings; combine with number line
• First printing requires number line to reach 1

Notable points & cautions

• LBYR published Stephenie Meyer's Twilight (2005) — a major modern YA point-of-issue collectible; true first = full number line to 1 plus 'First Edition: October 2005'
• Also home to the Alvin Ho / Clementine lines and many picture books
• Part of Hachette Book Group; older Little, Brown was independent then Time Warner — imprint conventions consistent across ownership

Imprints

First editions also appear under: LB Kids, Megan Tingley Books, Poppy (YA, historical), Christy Ottaviano Books, Jimmy Patterson Books. Each generally follows the house convention above.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (LBYR) book is a first edition?

Check the copyright page. Little, Brown house convention: modern firsts state 'First Edition' / 'First North American Edition' on copyright page, generally with a number line ending in 1 Historically Little, Brown stated 'First Edition' or 'Published (Month, Year)' and removed it on later printings; combine with number line

Does Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (LBYR) use a number line?

Historically Little, Brown stated 'First Edition' or 'Published (Month, Year)' and removed it on later printings; combine with number line

Is a book-club edition a Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (LBYR) first edition?

No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. LBYR published Stephenie Meyer's Twilight (2005) — a major modern YA point-of-issue collectible; true first = full number line to 1 plus 'First Edition: October 2005'

What era does this cover?

This covers Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (LBYR) (1837–present (children's line mid/late-20th c.)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.