Publishing & Prizes: Bennington College named Scarlett Choi and Emma Gaffney as winners of the 2026 Ben Belitt Prize for Undergraduate Writers (short stories), with Carrie Colley taking the poetry award—each student receiving $1,000, chosen by visiting writer Jo Ann Beard. Rare Books: A pristine first-edition paperback of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone sold for £17,000 at Rare Book Auctions, a new world record for the format. AI, Books, and Ethics: Barnes & Noble CEO James Daunt said the chain would stock AI-written books as long as they’re clearly labeled, reigniting debate over authenticity in publishing. Children’s Literature & Identity: A new essay argues that queer parenthood still faces backlash in children’s publishing, even as social norms shift. Books, Borders, and Tension: North Korea’s 2025 map and book reportedly omit Takeshima/Dokdo, fueling speculation about its sovereignty claim. Community Reading: Connecticut Public’s “Where We Read” spotlights local author events and reader meet-ups, with a June list of recommended books. Education Admin: CBSE opened an online portal for answer-book verification and re-evaluation for Class 10 and 12, running until June 6.