There have been developments in the defamation lawsuits involving a Highland Park Middle School student's book, which describes underage students doing illegal activities and mentions about 30 of his classmates by their real names.

Two families of girls who were named in the book are suing the novelist's family, and they have recently consolidated their cases, according to court documents. The plaintiffs have also dismissed their claims against the author's father, who is divorced from the mother.

The lawsuit is scheduled to have a jury trial, beginning on Oct. 30.

Click here for more information about the lawsuits.