Lisa, Bright and Dark Value Guide

Published in 1969, John Neufeld's Lisa, Bright and Dark is a landmark of young adult literature for its raw depiction of teenage schizophrenia. It remains highly collectible for its historical significance as one of the first novels to challenge the era's stigma surrounding mental health and adult denial.

What Is Lisa, Bright and Dark Worth?

The typical price range for Lisa, Bright and Dark is $10 - $15 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Overall condition of the cardstock cover, specifically looking for 'spine stress' or creasing common in vintage paperbacks.
• Presence of foxing or yellowing on the interior paper pages due to the high-acid content of 1960s mass-market materials.
• Provenance or signatures, though standard first-edition copies typically trade between $10.00 and $15.00.
• The scarcity of copies without library stamps or heavy school-use markings, as many were originally purchased for educational settings.

How to Identify Lisa, Bright and Dark?

• Verify the 1969 or 1970 publication date on the copyright page to ensure it is an early printing.
• Look for the original cover art featuring the distinctive late-60s typography and cardstock texture.
• Check for the publisher's mark, typically Signet or Phillips, consistent with the initial United States paperback release.
• Confirm the author's name, John Neufeld, is prominently displayed on the front cover and spine.

History of Lisa, Bright and Dark

Published in 1969, this novel was a ground-breaking work in young adult fiction for its candid portrayal of mental illness. It follows a teenage girl's struggle with schizophrenia and her friends' attempts to help her when the adults in her life refuse to acknowledge her condition. The book was later adapted into a Hallmark Hall of Fame television movie in 1973.