Pearson makes money, even without results, off America's obsession with academics.

Textbook publishers hope to avoid extinction.

Boston-based start-up Boundless, which provides free educational materials online, says it's looking to help cash-strapped students find an alternative to expensive textbooks.

Add another player to the digital textbook market. Microsoft announced at $300 million investment in Barnes & Noble's Nook reader.

When you think ebooks, the iPad and the Kindle come to mind — not Microsoft Windows. But Microsoft's been losing enough ground in tablets and e-readers that today it's decided to spend $300 million to invest in Barnes & Noble's Nook digital-book business.

What's your book going to be about? I'm thinking a zombie-kangaroo-road-trip thingy will sell well.

Apple is expected to announce its entry into the world of e-textbooks. But how have digital textbooks fared in the classroom so far?

Apple prepares to step into murky waters.