New ‘Potter’ to be on pricey side

The new “Harry Potter” book, still five months from publication, has apparently already set a record: the highest-priced new children’s novel in history.

Scholastic Children’s Books, the U.S. publisher of J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” announced Thursday a suggested retail price of $29.99.

A spokeswoman for Scholastic, Judy Corman, acknowledged that some customers may object to the price, but cited increased production costs and the new book’s anticipated length, well over 700 pages.

Few will actually pay $29.99 because stores offer significant discounts. Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble, which had been selling the book for $17.97, will now charge $17.99.