“’White Noise’ by Don DeLillo. It’s about a man who’s obsessed with death and the constant static of our world. It’s a hysterically funny, poignant book.”

— Rex Bodean, carpenter/nanny, Lawrence

“’Fatal Error’ by J.A. Jance. It’s a mystery with a female investigator.”

— Barb Giffin, retired, Lawrence

“’Fadeaway Girl’ by Marth Grimes. It’s set back in the 50s and this 12-year-old girl is the protagonist and she solves little mysteries around her hometown.”

— Carolyn Wiley, retired, Lawrence

“’Outliers: The Story of Success’ by Malcolm Gladwell. He’s investigating the factors that go into success. He’s examining the social background. His main argument is that these people we view as big successes had significant advantages.”

— Geoff Bohling, scientist, Lawrence

“The Main Street series by Ann Martin. It’s about these two girls whose parents died when they were young and they live in their grandma’s house. It’s how they meet their friends and what they do.”

— Makenna Anderson, fifth-grader, Lawrence