A WRINKLE IN TIME

New York: Ariel Books / Farrar, Strauss and Cudahy, 1962. First edition. Fine in near-fine jacket.. First printing of the book that helped make science fiction stories for children mainstream, a beautiful copy. A journey to a fantastical land full of epic battles and philosophical musing, A WRINKLE IN TIME reads in many ways like an updated, science-based spin on the Narnia series. While Heinlein and others published science fiction for young adults before this, L'Engle popularized it among elementary-age titles. Initially, L'Engle had a difficult time getting it published: "After trying 'forty-odd' publishers (L'Engle later said 'twenty-six rejections'), L'Engle's agent returned the manuscript to her. Then at Christmas, L'Engle threw a tea party for her mother. One of the guests happened to know John Farrar of Farrar, Straus & Giroux, and insisted that L'Engle should meet with him. Although the publisher did not at the time publish a line of children's books, Farrar met L'Engle, liked the novel and ultimately published it" (Random House). Winner of the Newbery Award and the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award. A lovely copy, very hard to find in collectible condition. 8.25'' x 5.5''. Original quarter blue cloth, white speckled paper boards. In original unclipped ($3.25) blue pictorial dust jacket designed by Ellen Raskin. [10], 211, [2] pages. Very slight fading to edge of cloth as typical. Jacket in really nice condition with price intact, only very faint fading where seal was removed, a light bit of soil on the rear panel and a touch of wear to spine ends.