Just so you know, I c+p'ed this from Rufftoon (deviantart.com). She actually worked on the series (art) last year, so she's kinda our own little representative.

Anyway, here's her post:

(oh, and links don't work.)

In a matter of weeks (if not days, we'll see if some copies get shipped before the actual date), the book "Sozin's Comet" will be out. This is an adaptation of the four part finale.
The actual finale only airs in July. It doesn't matter WHEN exactly the book is released this month, it is still way ahead of the episodes.
[link]
If you do intend to get the book, let's point out that it is geared towards a young audience readership (7-12 years old). It is probably very good for that age group. But if you are a bit older, do not expect grand literature.

There is no doubt spoilers will start filling up the web the moment someone gets their hands on the book, a bit like the episodes 314-315 got leaked the moment someone managed to get copies of the DVD.
(The DVD, the third one of the Book 3 chapter is now available in North America since May 6th)

So.

Will you be avoiding any spoilers from the book so all the surprise and beauty of the season finale can be seen in its original animation form?

Or you simply cannot resist, and you don't mind knowing how it ends in advance?
I mean...we all know in a way how it will end, just not all the details!

As for why the book is released way in advance, the reasons can be pretty complex: one may be that originally, the serie would have already ended (but there were changes in the broadcasting schedule, it's very own complex issue) and the book would have thus appeared after.
There may be many other reasons. We will probably never know the whole story.

On another note...I am a bit sad that pretty much all Avatar books out there (except perhaps for the Cine Manga) is ONLY geared towards younger readers.
Like these two:
[link]
[link]
For an audience of 6-8 years old.
Ok, maybe I'm jealous I'm not that age and I could enjoy these books made for me!

How it would be fun to get a nice, big, epic graphic novel! Keep Patrick Spaziante as an illustrator, as his art is awesome! I swear, I only got the Lost Scrolls books so I could get the comics he illustrated that came with them.

It's absolutely great that kids get many fun Avatar goodies. But...what about the older audience? Yes, there ARE people above the age of 14 watching that show (this is in no way a comment about age groups and all...there are kids out there way more mature than any 18 years old, and vice versa).
Things like soundtracks, art books, you name it!

This journalist did a nice article in his blog about it.
[link]

Whatever happened to "all ages?"
There was this nice text added to all the TinTin magazines I used to read when I was younger:
For kids 7 to 77. And there was indeed something for EVERYONE in the magazine. Both me and my father could enjoy it, on different levels. And years later, I could go back and enjoy the stories I had skipped because I thought they were boring back then.

Anyway. Side tracking.
Consider yourself warned- many many spoilers about the end of the Avatar serie is sure to spring out this month.
Maybe sooner than you think.
Thread the net carefully, if you don't want to get spoiled.

P.S.- I want to point out again I totally and fully support that Avatar books are done for young readers.
I'm just jealous and wish there was more diversity.