Spencer Higginson, ninth-grader at Central Junior High, Lawrence

“I’m actually reading the Bible. I’m trying to see how far I can get.”

Augie Longhurst, ninth-grader at Central Junior High, Lawrence

“‘The Portrait of Dorian Gray’ by Oscar Wilde.”

Brian Daldorph, Kansas University English professor, Lawrence

“Two different literary journals. ‘New Letters’ and ‘Chiron Review.’ It’s really interesting contemporary literature.”

Melanie Galyon, bartender, Jefferson County

“‘The Storyteller’ by Mario Vargas-Llosa. It’s about native tribes in the Amazon.”

Emily VanSchmus, fourth-grader at Raintree Montessori School, Lawrence

“‘Ramona the Brave’ by Beverly Cleary.”