The new Harry Potter book, still five months from publication, has already set a record: It will be the highest-priced children's novel in history. Scholastic Children's Books, the U.S. publisher of J.K. Rowling's best-selling series, has set the suggested retail price for "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" at $29.99.

The previous installment, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" (2000), sold for a suggested price of $25.95.

A Scholastic spokesman cited increased costs for printing and paper and the book's anticipated length. At well over 700 pages, it's a third larger than the last Potter book.

PACINO CUSTODY BATTLE

Al Pacino, 62, star of "The Recruit," is suing his longtime girlfriend, actress Beverly D'Angelo, 48, in a custody dispute over their 2-year-old twins, Rose and Anton James. The couple is scheduled to be in New York City Family Court Feb. 24, according to the New York Post. Details in the case are sealed, but the paper reports that Pacino is seeking full custody or an increase in visitation.

SPLITSVILLE II?

Brace yourself, people. Just a week before Valentine's Day comes word that America's Sweethearts, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, may be having those dreaded marital problems.

It seems that Brad has become "friendly" with a woman who is working on his latest film, and that Jen walked in on them being, ahem, friendly.

Brad ran after her but she wouldn't listen, which is understandable, don't you think? She just got in her car and drove off, hopefully to Prada and not Ben and Jerry's. The worse thing is that this girl is gorgeous and Jen is, you know, kind of cute.