In the small city of Strattenburg, there are many lawyers, and though he's only thirteen years old, Theo Boone thinks he's one of them. Theo knows every judge, policeman, court clerkÑand a lot about the law. He dreams of a life in the courtroom. But he finds himself in court much sooner than expected. Because he knows so muchÑmaybe too muchÑhe is suddenly dragged into the middle of a sensational murder trial. A cold-blooded killer is about to go free, and only Theo knows the truth. The stakes are high, but Theo won't stop until justice is served.
Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Grade 6–8— While the ending may be anticlimactic, Grisham brings to his crossover bid the lapidary prose and frank insider's view of this country's legal system that makes his adult best sellers so absorbing. Only 13 but already so much a lawyer in his own mind that he keeps an "office" at home and dispenses legal advice to classmates and even adults, Theo finds himself in over his head when he's told in strict confidence that there's an eyewitness to a high-profile local murder whose perp is about to walk due to lack of evidence. That witness is an illegal immigrant, and so is understandably afraid of coming forward. What to do? Grisham injects occasional side remarks into the narrative (students in Theo's school are gender-separated "according to a new policy adopted by the smart people in charge of educating all the children in town,") and he embroiders Theo's dilemma with intriguing public and behind-the-scenes looks at courts, lawyers, and the realities of the judicial process. He also sets up the plot to move in ominous directions in future episodes—which partly, at least, compensates for leaving the murder trial unresolved at the end of this one. Expect heavy publicity-driven demand.
John Peters, New York Public Library --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
John Peters, New York Public Library --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
From Booklist
After years of taking on lawyers of the adult persuasion, best-selling writer Grisham turns to a lawyer who's only 13. Well, Theo Boone hasn't taken the bar, but he offers advice to his friends, hangs out at the courthouse, and watches Perry Mason reruns. Things turn serious, however, when a witness to a murder, a young illegal immigrant, comes to Theo with evidence. The trial is in full swing, and it looks like the defendant will walk unless Theo comes forward. But he's promised the young man he will keep his identity confidential. What should he do? Grisham doesn't have the whole writing-for-kids thing down quite yet. His style, a little stiff, sometimes seems as if it's written for an earlier era. In one howler, he introduces Theo's teacher: “He always addressed them as ‘men' and for thirteen-year-olds there was no greater compliment.” The moral dilemma Grisham poses is interesting, but when Theo (logically) calls in the adults, it loses tension. Problem-solver Theo sometimes seems like a sophisticated Encylopedia Brown, and as with the boy detective, expect to see more of him. Grades 6-8. --Ilene Cooper
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
146 of 156 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I have worked in a middle school library for 19 years and I think this book would be a hard sell. There is not enough action and at times it felt like a lecture on law. The ending was flat. Grisham should read the competition for this age group. The late Robert Parker (Chasing The Bear, The Boxer and the Spy and The Edenville Owls)did a great job on his three titles for YA readers - great for reluctant male readers. Andy McNab - Traitor, Robert Muchamore - The Recruit, Anthony Horowitz - Gatekeepers Series, Jack Higgins - Surefire and David Gilman - Devil's Breath, know how to take the kids to an intensity in a storyline that rivals video games. Do some summer reading Mr. Grisham.
189 of 212 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I was happy to learn that best-selling author John Grisham was entering the youth market with Theodore Boone Kid Lawyer, the first of a planned series. I read and enjoyed a few of his earlier books some years back and knew he was capable of telling a compelling story. Because I think children and young adults deserve great storytelling (how else will we instill a love of reading in them?), I was looking forward to Grisham's contribution.
Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. Not only was it not great, it wasn't even particularly good.
Thirteen year old Theodore Boone wants to be a lawyer - or perhaps a judge - he hasn't quite decided yet. He loves to hang out at the courthouse and sit in on trials whenever he can. He knows most of the legal types about town - judges, clerks, bailiffs, etc. and they all know him by name. At school, classmates approach him with their troubles and he gives them legal advice. When one of those classmates takes Theo aside and tells him that his cousin may be an important witness to a murder currently being tried before Theo's friend, Judge Gantry, Theo finds himself involved.
It's a good premise. But Theodore Boone Kid Lawyer stumbles as soon as it steps up to the plate. For the first 60 pages of the 260 page novel, Theo plods from place to place having (mostly) meaningless and (mostly) uninteresting conversations with (mostly) unimportant-to-the-plot characters. It's an awkward beginning to what I had believed would be a legal thriller, kid style.
And while the pace did pick up a bit around that 60 page mark when we began to learn details of the murder, the expected thrills never materialized. Instead it was one conversation after another that moved the plot forward to the completely predictable (and vaguely unsatisfying) conclusion. Along the way, there was no mystery, very little action or suspense and almost no humor whatsoever to punch the story up and keep us turning the pages.
To top it off, I didn't find Theo a particularly engaging character. He's nice enough, but because he comes across as rather unrealistically perfect, it's tough to warm up to him. There were a number of instances as well where I felt his thoughts and observations of others held tones of condescension - not an attractive trait, especially in a young teen.
My rating is 2.5 stars. For me, Theodore Boone Kid Lawyer hovered someplace between "It was okay" and "I didn't like it". Normally I round up because I want to give the author the benefit of the doubt. But this is John Grisham, for pete's sake. He should have hit it out of the park. Instead, he bunted.
Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. Not only was it not great, it wasn't even particularly good.
Thirteen year old Theodore Boone wants to be a lawyer - or perhaps a judge - he hasn't quite decided yet. He loves to hang out at the courthouse and sit in on trials whenever he can. He knows most of the legal types about town - judges, clerks, bailiffs, etc. and they all know him by name. At school, classmates approach him with their troubles and he gives them legal advice. When one of those classmates takes Theo aside and tells him that his cousin may be an important witness to a murder currently being tried before Theo's friend, Judge Gantry, Theo finds himself involved.
It's a good premise. But Theodore Boone Kid Lawyer stumbles as soon as it steps up to the plate. For the first 60 pages of the 260 page novel, Theo plods from place to place having (mostly) meaningless and (mostly) uninteresting conversations with (mostly) unimportant-to-the-plot characters. It's an awkward beginning to what I had believed would be a legal thriller, kid style.
And while the pace did pick up a bit around that 60 page mark when we began to learn details of the murder, the expected thrills never materialized. Instead it was one conversation after another that moved the plot forward to the completely predictable (and vaguely unsatisfying) conclusion. Along the way, there was no mystery, very little action or suspense and almost no humor whatsoever to punch the story up and keep us turning the pages.
To top it off, I didn't find Theo a particularly engaging character. He's nice enough, but because he comes across as rather unrealistically perfect, it's tough to warm up to him. There were a number of instances as well where I felt his thoughts and observations of others held tones of condescension - not an attractive trait, especially in a young teen.
My rating is 2.5 stars. For me, Theodore Boone Kid Lawyer hovered someplace between "It was okay" and "I didn't like it". Normally I round up because I want to give the author the benefit of the doubt. But this is John Grisham, for pete's sake. He should have hit it out of the park. Instead, he bunted.
56 of 63 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nice read for 10-15 year olds and adults who enjoy a gumshoe story without the grit of commercial fiction
May 27, 2010
Format:Hardcover
I bought this book for my 14-year-old as a summer reading book. I did read it first so I could know what he was talking about while giving me his daily chapter summery. I very much enjoyed it!
I wouldn't recommend it for a non-avid reader less than about 10 years old, though. It is very well written, but it is not childishly written, if you know what I mean. This is no Magic Treehouse book. I reads exactly like any other John Grisham novel, except is is clearly geared for middle school aged kids.
That being said, my 14-year old has already read the first 2 chapters and is getting sucked into it despite his every intention to hate any book that isn't a graphic novel.
I wouldn't recommend it for a non-avid reader less than about 10 years old, though. It is very well written, but it is not childishly written, if you know what I mean. This is no Magic Treehouse book. I reads exactly like any other John Grisham novel, except is is clearly geared for middle school aged kids.
That being said, my 14-year old has already read the first 2 chapters and is getting sucked into it despite his every intention to hate any book that isn't a graphic novel.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding!!
My wife and I love John Grisham books and have not find one we did not like. This was a great book.
Published 2 days ago by richard
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wow
I loved the book because it supports such a mysterious book it was a cross between guilty or not innocent
Published 3 days ago by cookie monster
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another Gresham success!
I thoroughly enjoyed the book along with the other Theo Boone books. I will continue to purchase this series as long as he keeps writing them.
Published 6 days ago by Jim Howton
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great book!
This book had lots of surprises, but I wish it had a better murder weapon! I have to do a project on this book, I would not suggest it for a project!!!!! Read more
Published 8 days ago by Ctc1023
3.0 out of 5 stars
Different for
These series are something different for Grisham, Not bad but I think for younger readers, sorry to say I do not fit in that catergory, too bad..
Published 8 days ago by elliott egglestone
4.0 out of 5 stars
Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer
Compelling story line -- had a hard time putting it down, but then I'm a fan of John Grisham. I look forward to the sequel.
Published 9 days ago by Caryl Hepworth
5.0 out of 5 stars
Theodore Boone - by John Grisham
This book is a great read because the story line is interesting yet uncomplicated. I found it very entertaining and believable. John Grisham has done it again!
Published 9 days ago by jeannie fowler
4.0 out of 5 stars
The First of a Great Series
A charming story by the master story teller and legal expert. Grisham accurately captures the mind and behavior of
a 13 year old boy. A book to be enjoyed by all ages.
a 13 year old boy. A book to be enjoyed by all ages.
Published 10 days ago by James K. Hill
5.0 out of 5 stars
13 year old Theodore Boone, has his own law office!
I enjoy all of the John Grisham stories. Even though this is about a 13 year old kid, it is so well written that adults can enjoy this book too. Read more
Published 11 days ago by Patricia E. Jenkins
3.0 out of 5 stars
By a 10- year old
First book ive read on my kindle. I have to read all the Mark Twain awards for a pizza party with the librarian ( Which, a.k.a is my best friend's mom!!!!). Read more
Published 13 days ago by chloe
