Cover Stories: Jessica Lynch; Kids' Night In; Harrogate Crime Writing Festival

As debate continues over the Iraq war, a book about its chief feelgood moment appears to be running into trouble. Rescue in Nasiriya, dealing with Private Jessica Lynch's "harrowing ordeal" and due in October from HarperCollins, has come under unfriendly fire amid accusations that the story was run and spun by the Pentagon. It seems the publishers are hedging their bets, claiming the book is as much about what it was like to be an American POW as about heroic "rescue" missions.

* Kids, of course, are thinking of only one thing now, with a week before Potter V hits the shops. But there's fun and excitement to be had from Kids' Night In, a collection of stories and poems that raises money for War Child, which began amid the ruins of the former Yugoslavia and now gives help round the world. It features work from a host of children's favourites, among them Jacqueline Wilson, Eoin Colfer and Dick King-Smith. Kids' Night In is published by HarperCollins, and £1 from every copy will go direct to War Child.

* July sees the launch of the new Harrogate Crime Writing Festival, which runs alongside the city's music festival from 17-20 July. Director Val McDermid has brought together "maestros of mystery" such as Frances Fyfield, Ian Rankin, Reginald Hill and Colin Dexter. For details call the box office at 01423 562303; or e-mail crimeatharrogate-festival.org.uk