Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer

Review

Common Sense Media says

Series starter about teen lawyer teaches Courtroom 101.
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
 
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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this book is a tamer version of Grisham’s adult novels. The central murder is described without excessive violence or detail, and there's no bad language or sex. The story delves into social issues such as homelessness and illegal immigrants. Theo sometimes breaks rules such as hacking into computer systems to help solve crimes, but he is generally driven by his interest in seeing justice served. He is surrounded by positive adult role models and knows when to ask adults for help.

  • Educational value4
    Grisham manages to weave in some Courtroom 101, giving his story extra appeal to tweens interested in the legal system and specifics of courtroom procedure.
  • Positive messages3
    Tweens get the message that our legal system works -- and Theo works hard to make sure that justice is served.
  • Positive role models4
    Theo Boone uses his knowledge of the law to help both schoolmates and the police. Theo’s mom and dad are both supportive parents and honest lawyers. The judge in the trial is good and fair.
  • Violence2
    The central story involves a husband charged with strangling his wife. The murder is described after the fact in court and not in great detail.
  • Sex0
    Not applicable.
  • Language0
    Not applicable.
  • Consumerism0
    Not applicable.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking2
    Uncle Ike, the black sheep of the family, drinks and wakes up with hangovers. His behavior certainly isn't celebrated.  Theo's mother only drinks coffee for breakfast to lose weight.
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What's the story?

Thirteen year-old Theodore Boone gives legal advice to friends at school. He gets in over his head, though, when an illegal immigrant who has witnessed a murder seeks his help. Theo uses his great knowledge of the legal system -- and a little help from his lawyer parents -- to see that justice is done.

Is it any good?

 

John Grisham brings his courtroom thriller style into a book for tweens. This plot-driven novel hits a few dry spots along the way, but the author manages to weave in some legal basics and kids interested in the law will appreciate the Courtroom 101. Although Theo can be a little too good to be real at times, he is confronted with some tough moral conflicts that will give teen readers plenty to consider. In the end, the author has created an engaging enough premise to keep tweens looking forward to the next installment of the series, Theodore Boone: The Abduction.

What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about the appeal of this book, which is now a series. Do you think it would have been so well received if it was written by a lesser-known author? This author usually writes for adults; what do you think he had to do differently here? 

  • What do you think about Theo's methods for solving crimes? Is it OK to hack into computer records if that's what it takes to see that justice is done?

This review was written by Barbara Lawrence
Teen, 14 years old
July 14, 2011
AGE
12
 
If your looking for something that's worth reading, this is the one!
I've read this book when I was in second year high school and it was the best! If you want something for your son/daughter or even for yourself, i suggest you read this book. :))
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Parent
May 5, 2012
AGE
11
 
I L-O-V-E this book!
This book and the abduction are two of my favorites! Denfinetely worth reading!
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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This review was written by Barbara Lawrence
Author:John Grisham
Book type:Fiction
Genre:Mystery
Publisher:Puffin Books
Publication date:May 25, 2010
Number of pages:263
Hardcover price:$9.28
Paperback price:$7.99
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.
Our child development rating guidelines

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