Theodore Boone: The Abduction

Review

Common Sense Media says

More mature themes in second entry of popular series.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this novel is more mature than the first book as it deals with a disturbing issue that's more immediate to a teen audience: a missing 13-year-old who may be dead. There are other mature aspects as well, including the discovery of a dead body, an escaped convict who wants to trade information for leniency, dysfunctional, divorcing parents, and teens at a college fraternity party. Theo is not always completely truthful when talking to the police and blatantly lies to his parents, but ultimately he is a heroic character who uses his skills to save his friend. 

  • Educational value3
    Theo’s skills as a boy-sleuth shine in this book. He searches for his missing friend using deduction, logic, and even Facebook. 
  • Positive messages3
    There is a strong message about community and the importance of working together to save someone. Theo once again illustrates doing what's right, and April's parents ultimately learn to put the needs of their daughter before their own.
  • Positive role models3
    The entire middle school pulls together to help find a missing classmate. Though Theo is not always completely truthful when talking to the police and blatantly lies to his parents, he works hard to save his friend, and readers will admire his heart as well as his brain.
  • Violence2
    There is no overt violence, but readers' imaginations might fill in the blanks when imagining about what could have happened to the abducted girl. A body is found drowned in a local lake, and some presume it's the missing girl, murdered by her cousin.  
  • Sex0
    Not applicable.
  • Language0
    Not applicable.
  • Consumerism1
    Facebook is mentioned and used to locate the abducted teen.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking3
    April’s mother takes pills to check out of her life. Teens are at a college fraternity party where there are lots of cans of beer and smoking. Theo's mother, a successful lawyer, is often portrayed drinking coffee to lose weight. Uncle Ike uses coffee to keep himself awake while driving at night.
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What's the story?

Theo’s best friend, 13-year-old April, is missing from her home. Using clues at the scene of the crime, the police determine she hasn’t run away but has been abducted by someone she knows. When April’s distant cousin, who has just escaped from prison, claims to know her whereabouts, the police follow his lead. But Theodore Boone is not so sure. He decides to rely on his sleuthing skill -- and technological know-how -- to find his missing friend.

 

Is it any good?

 

Like the first book in the popular series, this novel has a page-turning plot and introduces both complex legal and social issues in a way middle-schoolers can absorb. Indeed, teen fans of the first book might find this book more relevant as it deals with themes such as self-absorbed parents, unhappy homelife, and kids dealing with feelings of abandonment. Though Theo often bends (and even breaks) rules, he is always trying to do the right thing, and readers will admire his heart as well as his brain. 

What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about popular mystery series. How does Theo compare to other detective kids, such as Encyclopedia Brown, Nancy Drew, or the Hardy Boys? How has the author updated his protagonist?

  • Theo is not always completely truthful when talking to the police and lies to his parents. Is it ever OK to lie? What would you do if you promised a friend you would keep her secret?

This review was written by Barbara Lawrence
Teen, 14 years old
July 14, 2011
AGE
13
 
If you liked theodore boone: kid lawyer, you will surely love this :))
I can say that this is really a good book but i was disappointed or shall I say "unsatisfied" with the story:))
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Kid, 12 years old
August 20, 2011
AGE
12
 
Kidnapping
I think it is a little too violent because there are some kidnapping scenes.
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Helped me decide (6) | Had useful details (9) | Read my mind (4)
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This review was written by Barbara Lawrence
Author:John Grisham
Book type:Fiction
Genre:Mystery
Publisher:Dutton Children's Books
Publication date:June 6, 2011
Number of pages:217
Hardcover price:$16.99
Publisher's recommended age(s):9 - 12
This review was written by Barbara Lawrence
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
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