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Available
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Publication
Hodder & Stoughton (2011), 263 pages
Description
Juvenile Fiction. Juvenile Literature. Mystery. HTML:The thrilling young mystery series from internationally bestselling author John Grisham! 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 clerk�??and a lot about the law. He dreams of being a great trial lawyer, of a life in the courtroom. But Theo finds himself in court much sooner than expected. Because he knows so much�??maybe too much�??he 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
Media reviews
Grisham tells his story scrupulously, explaining fine points of criminal law and, as far as I can tell (not being a lawyer myself), sticking to legal reality. As a civics lesson it goes down smoothly, as storytelling only partly so. There’s a reason that movies and TV shows about attorneys are
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full of courtroom baloney — it’s entertaining! Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member TDoug1853
This book is not a satisfying read. Grisham's business plan is too obvious - begin the plot in this entry, write the sequel to continue it and resolve it three or four entries down the road. Why sell one book, when you can sell four or five? Thus, the many threads of the plot and subplots only
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begin in this book and absolutely nothing is resolved by the end. Theodore Boone, the precocious kid lawyer, is only mildly interesting. The best character in the book is his disbarred uncle, Ike. Grisham beats up the reader along the way with his heavy handling of the subplots - we get broken families, drunk driving, the mortgage mess and the struggles of legal and illegal immigrants, all in this one book. Finally, the end and the menacing glares of the thuggish investigator, which are meant to threaten Theo and foreshadow bad things to come in the next book - unfortunately, they don't rise to the level of an even mediocre cliffhanger. Not a total waste of time, but nearly so. At least it was a fast read. Show Less
LibraryThing member nictheman
good book about a kid who visits the court house alot. this is about a kid who could change the whole case of a man who suppose of murdered his wife. read it to see what happens
LibraryThing member lnommay
Book talk:
Describe a typical 8th grade guy, (Allow time for student responses.) Yeah, Theo Boone is definitely not your typical 13 year old. I'm not even sure if he would even be a typical 18 year old. You see, Theodore, or Theo as everyone calls him, has grown up around the law: his parents are
Describe a typical 8th grade guy, (Allow time for student responses.) Yeah, Theo Boone is definitely not your typical 13 year old. I'm not even sure if he would even be a typical 18 year old. You see, Theodore, or Theo as everyone calls him, has grown up around the law: his parents are
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both lawyers, he knows everyone who works at the local courthouse, he'd probably rather watch a trial at the courthouse than anything on TV. Oh, yeah, and his dog's name is Judge. In fact, Theo knows the law so well that his classmates come him for legal advice; actually, even the secretary at school went to Theo for legal advice. So it's really not surprising when Theo gets involved in the murder trial down at the courthouse. He gets permission for his government class to sit in on the first day in court. There they all hear about the murder of Myra Duffy, and about the suspected murderer, her husband. For Theo, this is the Super Bowl in the criminal justice system. And the courtroom is already becoming his turf. Don't expect the mystery to end on the final page. Theo Boone, kid lawyer, is just getting started. Show Less
LibraryThing member SMG-HWood
This is a great book. It is exiting and you never know what will happen next. I strongly reccomend this book.
LibraryThing member Suzieqkc
Theodore Boone is thirteen years old. Both of his parents practice law, and he has learned some basics just by watching them. When students in his middle school have a legal problem (or they know that they're parents are having legal problems) they consult with Theodore. One of the nice things
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about this book is Theodore's relationship with his parents. They respect him and treat him with dignity and he treats them respectfully as well. This book deals with a murder trial and Theodore's involvement finding a witness. The end of the book isn't wrapped up neatly leaving room for a sequel. What a great book! Show Less
LibraryThing member lindamamak
Grisham first YA novel bringing his crime solving themes for young adutls
LibraryThing member kikigirleva
I love John Grisham, so when I saw this book I bought it and started reading it right away. I didn't even know it was for kids until I was halfway done with it. Like always, he doesn't disappoint us readers. Can't wait for the next one!
LibraryThing member JRlibrary
13 year old Theodore Boone is the only son of two lawyers; a real estate lawyer and a divorce lawyer. As a result of his parentage, Theodore is very into courtrooms and the legal process. When a big murder trial happens in his small city, Theodore is naturally quite interested, even before he
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becomes personally involved. Unexpectedly, he soon knows much more about the case than he wants to know, and he is really stuck with what he knows and all the people he can't tell, but should. This was an okay read; I enjoyed the legal aspects of the book, but really felt like Grisham had no idea how a thirteen year old boy actually worked, especially when he said they had no interest in girls and made Theodore run the class. Clearly, he hasn't been around many thirteen year old boys lately since they wouldn't behave the way he suggested. I also felt that the way so much of the book wasn't really concluded, it seemed like he was intentionally leaving open the possibility of a sequel, in an awkwardly executed fashion. Other than those two criticisms, the book is an enjoyable read. Show Less
LibraryThing member wiccked
I really enjoyed this. Very light, and easy to read.
LibraryThing member DrApple
Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer is John Grisham’s first attempt at young adult literature. Although only 13, Theo Boones is something of a legal expert. The child or lawyers, he has been raised around the courthouse and is very knowledgeable about the legal system. He even provides free legal advice
In this novel, Theo is excited about being able to watch the proceedings of a murder trial. This is, by far, the most sensational trial Theo has ever been able to witness. During the proceedings, Theo becomes privy to information about the murder that is not known by the attorneys or the judge. He has to determine how to protect his source without letting a cold-blooded killer go free.
This book will grow on you. Initially, I felt that the legal information might be boring to young readers, but soon the characters, particularly Theo, and the murder trial will catch your attention and keep you reading.
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for students in his class at school.In this novel, Theo is excited about being able to watch the proceedings of a murder trial. This is, by far, the most sensational trial Theo has ever been able to witness. During the proceedings, Theo becomes privy to information about the murder that is not known by the attorneys or the judge. He has to determine how to protect his source without letting a cold-blooded killer go free.
This book will grow on you. Initially, I felt that the legal information might be boring to young readers, but soon the characters, particularly Theo, and the murder trial will catch your attention and keep you reading.
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LibraryThing member phh333
Fans of the Hardy Boys will enjoy this first book in the series. Theodore has supportive parents and an uncle he can turn to for help, unlike most JF where the children are usually orphaned or have absentee parents. Obvious that this book will be part of a series. Theodore seems to relate better
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with adults than with kids. Show Less
LibraryThing member Booklady123
Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham
Thirteen year old Theodore Boone is surrounded by lawyers. Both of his parents are lawyers. His Uncle Ike, is a former lawyer. He knows almost all the lawyers at the courthouse where he spends as much time as he can. It’s no wonder Theo considers himself
John Grisham is an excellent storyteller, but he misses the mark on this one. While Grisham does an excellent job of explaining the legal system in young adult terms, the story lacks the intense pace and excitement needed to engage teens. Theo is a character with a lot of potential but unfortunately comes across rather flat and at times seems too good to be true. Grisham seems out of touch with real kids. Hardly any of the teens have cell phones. Just take a walk down any real middle school hallway and you’ll see that’s not the case with real teens. Early in the book Theo states that he doesn’t know a "single thirteen-year-old boy who admitted to having a girlfriend. Just the opposite. They wanted nothing to do with them. And the girls felt the same way. Theo had been warned that things would change, and dramatically, but that seemed unlikely." (7). That does not mesh with what I have experienced as an elementary and teen services librarian. And finally, the ending was very disappointing. In fact it didn’t seem like an ending at all. I’ve read reviews that indicate this is the beginning of a series. Perhaps the ending was supposed to be a cliffhanger, but it fell short. Possibly all will be revealed in the next installment (provided there is one). Readers who picked up this book expecting Grisham’s usual stellar work will be disappointed. If it is a series, they may not return to see if it improves.
Thirteen year old Theodore Boone is surrounded by lawyers. Both of his parents are lawyers. His Uncle Ike, is a former lawyer. He knows almost all the lawyers at the courthouse where he spends as much time as he can. It’s no wonder Theo considers himself
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a lawyer or at least a lawyer in training. Theo spends his days doing all his homework, visiting Uncle Ike once a week, getting dogs released from animal court and offer advice to both kids and adults. Soon Theo finds himself caught up in a high profile murder trial. Theo knows a secret, one that could impact the outcome of the trial. The only problem is that he’s sworn to secrecy. What’s a kid lawyer to do?John Grisham is an excellent storyteller, but he misses the mark on this one. While Grisham does an excellent job of explaining the legal system in young adult terms, the story lacks the intense pace and excitement needed to engage teens. Theo is a character with a lot of potential but unfortunately comes across rather flat and at times seems too good to be true. Grisham seems out of touch with real kids. Hardly any of the teens have cell phones. Just take a walk down any real middle school hallway and you’ll see that’s not the case with real teens. Early in the book Theo states that he doesn’t know a "single thirteen-year-old boy who admitted to having a girlfriend. Just the opposite. They wanted nothing to do with them. And the girls felt the same way. Theo had been warned that things would change, and dramatically, but that seemed unlikely." (7). That does not mesh with what I have experienced as an elementary and teen services librarian. And finally, the ending was very disappointing. In fact it didn’t seem like an ending at all. I’ve read reviews that indicate this is the beginning of a series. Perhaps the ending was supposed to be a cliffhanger, but it fell short. Possibly all will be revealed in the next installment (provided there is one). Readers who picked up this book expecting Grisham’s usual stellar work will be disappointed. If it is a series, they may not return to see if it improves.
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LibraryThing member MsLangdon
Part D Popular
Grisham, J. (2010). Theodore Boone: kid lawyer. New York: Dutton Children’s Books.
At only thirteen years old, Theodore Boone is giving legal advice. He comes from a family of lawyers and already knows that he wants to be a lawyer, or maybe a judge. Theo finds himself in the middle
Grisham’s Theodore Boone is a young character with positive qualities, looking for justice. He is honest, caring, and promotes academics. The suspenseful story keeps the reader intrigued and wanting to know more about what will happen with Theo and the murder trial. With the exception of April, Theo’s best friend, each of the characters is well developed. On the other hand, April is introduced in the first chapter and then does not play a significant role in the story. When she is mentioned it seems as though she is an afterthought. Ages 9-12.
Grisham, J. (2010). Theodore Boone: kid lawyer. New York: Dutton Children’s Books.
At only thirteen years old, Theodore Boone is giving legal advice. He comes from a family of lawyers and already knows that he wants to be a lawyer, or maybe a judge. Theo finds himself in the middle
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of the biggest murder trial the small city of Strattenburg has ever seen. The defendant is up for murder and the prosecution has a weak case against him. But Theo knows about some evidence and an unidentified witness that could turn the trial around. Grisham’s Theodore Boone is a young character with positive qualities, looking for justice. He is honest, caring, and promotes academics. The suspenseful story keeps the reader intrigued and wanting to know more about what will happen with Theo and the murder trial. With the exception of April, Theo’s best friend, each of the characters is well developed. On the other hand, April is introduced in the first chapter and then does not play a significant role in the story. When she is mentioned it seems as though she is an afterthought. Ages 9-12.
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LibraryThing member ChristianR
I'm not quite sure which readers will take to this book. It's a nice story about a murder trial. Theo Boone, an 8th grader, learns some relevant information about the murder while the trial is taking place. A rather good explanation of how trials work. My hesitation is that Theo is a perfect type
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of kid (in adults' eyes) -- good student, polite to others, conscientious, and really, really interested and informed about the law. He knows all of the judges and lawyers in his town and follows trials very closely. He's not the type of character that current readers connect with, but Grisham has been very successful with his adult books and perhaps knows something I don't about what kids want. A nice read. Show Less
LibraryThing member tracylg13
Just finished this book. It was a pretty fast read. Theodore Boone is a kid who's parents are both lawyers. He wants to be a big lawyer when he grows up. Being a child of lawyers he as access to lots of law books and information. Classmates and teachers often come to him for legal advice. This is a
Keeps you wondering till the very end. However i would have liked for it to go on a bit more with some closure to the different characters futures.
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story of a classmate of his/charity case of his mothers. A murder is commited and goes to trial but no one knows there was a witness except Theodore. Will it be too late to keep a murderer from going free?Keeps you wondering till the very end. However i would have liked for it to go on a bit more with some closure to the different characters futures.
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LibraryThing member starspangle95
My mom and grandma are both fans of the John Grisham books, so I decided to try this out. It's a good story, and for most of the book, I couldn't put it down. However, the whole point of the book seems to shift and the ending leaves you hanging. There are a lot of unanswered questions and the book
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just doesn't end well. Show Less
LibraryThing member untraveller
Easy, fun read. Grisham is quite the storyteller and manages to lay down some of the basics of law at the same time. This one is/was good for kids and adults alike.
LibraryThing member patricia_poland
A children's author Grisham is not. Filled with lots of "lawyerly teaching" (I'll admit, sometimes it was welcomed) the book has a most unsatisfying ending. Kind of a lazy way to end it - letting the reader imagine the bad guy's eventual punishment. Though subsequent installments may get better
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(Theo is a good character) I won't be reading any more. Show Less
LibraryThing member ewyatt
Theodore Boone might just be a kid, but he offers legal advice and knows just about everyone in the court system in his southern town. When he gets some new evidence that would impact the outcome of a murder trial, he has to decide what steps to take to help justice get served.
LibraryThing member JuBo0523
This book was great overall. I really enjoyed learning about the law buisness and how it works.
LibraryThing member burnit99
Theo Boone, 13, child of two lawyers, dreams of being a great lawyer someday. He haunts the courts, knows the judges, police and court employees of his small town, and uses his legal insight to help friends when they need legal advice. He is inadvertently dragged into the most sensational murder
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trial to hit town in years when he discovers that the investigation has taken a wrong turn, and the actual killer may go free. This is an intriguing and well-paced book, aimed at younger readers but a good read for adults too. The ending did not quite wrap things up, and I would hope this portends at least one more book to come. Show Less
LibraryThing member kiwifortyniner
This is John Grisham's first foray into teenage fiction. Theodore is the son of two lawyers and wants to be a lawyer himself when he grows up. He is friendly with the people at the courts and one of the judges and spends time giving advice to his classmates on their legal problems. His judge friend
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gets him and his legal classmates seats in court for a mudrer trial happening in his town. But Teodore becomes more directly involved in this trial when he is presented with evidence that could change the course and the verdict of the trial. But the person with the information is too scared to come forward for fear they may be deported. This is too big an issue for Theodore to handle alone so he goes to his uncle first, and then his lawyer parents for help. This book was a good read, although i would have liked it to carry on a bit longer so that all the issues could be resolved. There were one or two characters who were introduced to the story and we never really knew enough about their purpose for being there. Maybe he will write a sequal to finish the story.. Show Less
LibraryThing member Kenny11
A quick read, a wonderful story, beautiful characters that instantly come alive, lifting off the pager becoming at once a part of our lives. This book leaves you wanting more, much more!
LibraryThing member LiamWicks
Liam Wicks. English review
11/5/11
Saying that John Grisham is an accomplished author is an understatement. The author of 21 novels, one work of non-fiction, and one collection of stories translated into 38 languages is a legend! Even though his original intentions were not to be an author. His
As many other 13 year olds are dreaming of being pop stars, actors, or professional athletes, Theodore "Theo" Boone wants nothing more then to be a big time court layer. The son of two lawyers Theo knows every single judge, police officer, and courtroom official there is to know in his small town. But, when there is a big murder trial Theo finds himself in the middle of it. And this is not the same game as giving his friends on the playground free advice. This book is similar to Football Genius by Tim Green because teenagers get involved way over their heads with grown adults with their special talents.
The main audience for this story is aspiring young lawyers. It might also appeal to lawyers looking for inspiration. The story plot is fantastic, but more detail could have been used in certain areas. I would rate this story a 3-5. It is a good story but lacks some key components like keeping you hooked through the whole story. But overall I thought it was a very good read.
11/5/11
Saying that John Grisham is an accomplished author is an understatement. The author of 21 novels, one work of non-fiction, and one collection of stories translated into 38 languages is a legend! Even though his original intentions were not to be an author. His
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first dream was to become a famous MLB player. But, after that didn't go very well he switched to accounting at Mississippi State. After graduating law school in 1981 Grisham spent nearly 10 years as a lawyer until he had his first book published in June of 1988. But I don't know how that book could even come close to comparing to his book titled Theodore Boone Kid Lawyer.As many other 13 year olds are dreaming of being pop stars, actors, or professional athletes, Theodore "Theo" Boone wants nothing more then to be a big time court layer. The son of two lawyers Theo knows every single judge, police officer, and courtroom official there is to know in his small town. But, when there is a big murder trial Theo finds himself in the middle of it. And this is not the same game as giving his friends on the playground free advice. This book is similar to Football Genius by Tim Green because teenagers get involved way over their heads with grown adults with their special talents.
The main audience for this story is aspiring young lawyers. It might also appeal to lawyers looking for inspiration. The story plot is fantastic, but more detail could have been used in certain areas. I would rate this story a 3-5. It is a good story but lacks some key components like keeping you hooked through the whole story. But overall I thought it was a very good read.
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LibraryThing member robertbdouglas
This story moved way too slowly. Apparently the plan is to carry the plot of this book out for several books. Unfortunately that means formulating each installment around a sub-plot. In this first installment, the sub-plot revolving the plight of an immigrant family in a homeless shelter was not
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enough to hold the book together. All the actual tension in the novel surrounded the central plot of the inevitable series, but it was not enough to make me care if I read the second installment or not. I don't care about any of the characters and I don't care how the plot resolves. This could have been a winner if it had stuck to the main plot and moved at something faster than a turtle's pace. Show Less
Awards
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — Grades 6-8 — 2012)
Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award (Nominee — 2013)
Pacific Northwest Library Association Young Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — Junior — 2013)
Agatha Award (Nominee — 2010)
Mark Twain Readers Award (Nominee — 2013)
Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award (Nominee — 2013)
Hampshire Book Awards (Shortlist — Hampshire Book Award — 2012)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2010-05
Physical description
263 p.; 7.6 inches
ISBN
1444714503 / 9781444714500