Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer

by John Grisham

Dutton, 2010. 263 pgs. Fiction.

John Grisham's highly-anticipated "thriller" for kids is interesting and well-written, but not as thrilling as one might have expected. Theodore Boone is the only child of lawyer parents. His mother is a divorce lawyer and his father is a real estate lawyer, his Uncle Ike is a disbarred lawyer, and Theodore wants to be a trial lawyer. From this platform, Grisham launches a tutorial for his young readers about how the law works. Because Theo is pals with the judge, he wangles good seats for his Government class at once-in-a-lifetime murder trial at the Strattenburg courthouse. Although most everyone thinks Mr. Duffy is guilty of killing his wife, the state's case is circumstantial and it looks like the husband will walk. But Theo, a paragon of a boy who tutors a Latino boy at the homeless shelter, finds out from Julio that his cousin who works at the golf course saw Duffy enter the house at the time of the murder and leave quickly afterwards to continue his solitary game. He also found a pair of Duffy's discarded golf gloves in a trash bin on the course. Problem is, Julio's cousin is undocumented and will not come forward to nail the crimer. How Theo manages to keep his word to keep this man's secret, and at the same time make it possible for justice to be done, is the burden of Grisham's story and it has some refreshing components, particularly that Theo figures out that he will have to tell as much as he honorably can to the adults in his life and get some help with this problem. Along the way, Theo uses his knowledge of the law to aid various classmates, supporting one whose parents are divorcing, and advising one whose brother is arrested for drug possession, and one whose father lost his job and is about to lose his house. Hence, Grisham's tutorial: kids who read this book will have a solid grounding in legal knowledge (although he glosses over the golf gloves/chain-of-evidence problem that even a cursory acquaintance with Law and Order would make plain--ha ha). In terms of rising action, the slope is shallow here, and rather than climax and denouement, this book coasts to an end. But Grisham's prose is compelling, Theodore and his family and friends are engaging characters, and the villainous Omar Cheepe is menacing enough in a limited role. One hopes that Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer is meant to be the first in a series because if it is, Grisham has set the table well, and there should be fine dining ahead.

Comments

Funny Farm by Mark Teague 2009

There are things I liked about Mark Teague's newest book, Funny Farm , and things I didn't like. Where should I start? I'll do the "didn'ts" first. The illustrations show animals personified. Well, some of the animals are. The main characters, Edward, and his farm family relatives, all dogs, are humanized. They stand upright, do farm chores, eat at a table, wear clothes, knit (yes, with paws) and sleep in beds. Most everybody else on and around the farm, who are also animals, act like animals. They are outside, roll in mud, live in the barn, and require care from their owners. It struck me the most on the page spread where there are pigs playing in puddle in the rain and Edward, a black and white boxer, watches from inside the house. I thought "You're a dog! Go play with them!" But, alas, he can't, seeing as how he goes through his entire visit to the farm wearing a suit and red bow tie. Another picture that bothered me was the maple syrup pa...

Dude, That's Rude! (Get Some Manners) by Pamela Espeland & Elizabeth Verdick

If there's one book today's kids need to read, it is Dude, That's Rude! (Get Some Manners) . The authors provide a fun format for teaching etiquette to children. They discuss proper behavior at home, at school, at other people's homes and in public places. The information is completely up-to-date with cellphone manners and netiquette included. Fun, cartoony illustrations are on practically every page giving the book great visual appeal. This book is perfect for boys and girls in the fourth grade or older. WARNING: Bodily functions are discussed.

The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester 2008

J Fiction 328 pages I almost didn't finish this book. I got to Chapter 4, and was just about ready to quit (a kind of slow story about a girl, name of Piper McCloud, who discovers she can fly, parents freak out, she becomes a social outcast, yadda, yadda) but suddenly, right there in Chapter 4, the story takes a sharp turn and becomes really interesting . Piper finds herself in the company of others like her, but not "fliers", and under the care and authority of Dr. Hellion. I won't even tell you any more. Read this book. Forester does a great job of keeping you wondering who's the good guy and who's the bad? Piper is a likeable, strong, endearing character that girl readers will enjoy. But don't NOT give it to boys! The main male character is an extremely intelligent young man who is one of the ones you wonder about . . . good or bad? This is a good one, well worth your time.

Provo Library Children's Book Blog

Search This Blog