Gayle B. (glbirch) reviewed Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer (Theodore Boone, Bk 1) on + 205 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
As a school librarian, I am trying to read more kids' books. I was very impressed with this one. No language or questionable situations, but (SPOILER ALERT) what really impressed me was the way Theo went to his uncle, a trustworthy adult, when he realized he was in over his head. I had a sinking feeling that he would try to solve the problem himself (thus, creating more DRAMA)but he did not. Definitely a good thing, in my opinion!
Laura P. (hemmputnam) reviewed Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer (Theodore Boone, Bk 1) on + 1113 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
My nine year old devoured this book so quickly and happily I had to give it a try for myself! It's a great mixture of page turner and lesson about how the legal system functions. Theodore is very likable and the hard choices he's faced with led to some good conversation with my son. It probably helped going in that I had seen there was a sequel. There is not a tidy ending, so if that's frustrating for you, you may want to skip this book. As for me, I'm looking for book #2! (In response to some of the other reviews here, I think the fact that the book itself says "ages 8 and up" means that it is not necessarily targeted for teens. The school library has it marked at a 5th grade level.)
Kristi W. (ilovedogs2) reviewed Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer (Theodore Boone, Bk 1) on + 13 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
The Kid Lawyer is the first teen book by John Grisham. Theo Boone is the main character and character is definitely the way I would describe him. He has a knack for helping everyone and being looked up to and he is only a teen.
This book is a great portrayal of the court system and how it affects different people. It laid out the basic structure of a trial along with a little bit of a mystery in whether the defendant of this trial was guilty or not.
As an adult reading this, I will say it was too basic of a read and even as a 11- 13 year old, I would think they would find it somewhat boring. Kids this age and adults need more stimulus in their reading, maybe some more action!
This book is a great portrayal of the court system and how it affects different people. It laid out the basic structure of a trial along with a little bit of a mystery in whether the defendant of this trial was guilty or not.
As an adult reading this, I will say it was too basic of a read and even as a 11- 13 year old, I would think they would find it somewhat boring. Kids this age and adults need more stimulus in their reading, maybe some more action!
Robert B. (SGTBob) reviewed Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer (Theodore Boone, Bk 1) on + 156 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
An intertaining book, to say the least. The book is geared towards the teenage market and not necessarily for adults, but I enjoyed it anyway. I picked it up at a book store, when I was out of town and didn't realize it was a teen book.
Although it is a teen book, I enjoyed it. I can see a series of book depicting this character (Theodore Boone). It wouldn't surprise me if John Grisham was to turn his attention to making this a series.
Although it is a teen book, I enjoyed it. I can see a series of book depicting this character (Theodore Boone). It wouldn't surprise me if John Grisham was to turn his attention to making this a series.
Helpful Score: 2
Absolutely great book about a trial. The kid lawyer is so perfect and amazingly sharp. He solves the mystery singlehandedly and makes sure justice prevails. A book that is suitable for adults and younger readers as well. A super positive, likable role model.
Helpful Score: 1
Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer was written in the same great style of Grisham's mysteries for adults. I was impressed with the amount of knowledge kids can learn by reading this "fun" mystery book. Not only did was there information about the legal system but about government and life's values. I will definitely be adding any more kid books by Grisham to my list, first for me to read and then to give to my grandchildren.
SUSAN S. (susieqmillsacoustics) -
This is a good story, I really liked the characters, but it seemed a bit incomplete in the end. I think there will be a sequel. I enjoyed it and it is a good book for teens to learn some of the inner workings of the legal system-also Theo is a good kid that tries to do the right thing. But I expected some of the suspense John Grisham is so good at and that was not there at all. It seemed as though it kept building toward suspense but it just kind of wrapped up short of developing. Good enough, but incomplete.
Carol M. (Tunerlady) reviewed Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer (Theodore Boone, Bk 1) on + 581 more book reviews
What a cute book - kind of a "junior legal thriller" ala Grisham. It's written for young adults, early teens, but I really enjoyed the writing, the characters, the intrigue. Anything by Grisham - I'm on it!
great book to introduce the kids to John Grisham!
Harry L. (hairygrim) reviewed Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer (Theodore Boone, Bk 1) on + 10 more book reviews
Wow! Amazing plot, but where's the ending???
Very good book, and suitable for both adults and children
Good book, done in the wonderful Grisham style.
If I had to find any problem with this book it would be the abrupt ending. I can only hope that this is an indication that Theodore Boone will become a series. There was enough in the story line to easily branch off into additional books on Theo.
Altho this book is for teens and preteens, it satisfied my cravng for another Grisham book. I would recommend it for the 10 to 14 year old category - unless you are like me and are holding your breath waiting for the next powerful Grisham novel.
If I had to find any problem with this book it would be the abrupt ending. I can only hope that this is an indication that Theodore Boone will become a series. There was enough in the story line to easily branch off into additional books on Theo.
Altho this book is for teens and preteens, it satisfied my cravng for another Grisham book. I would recommend it for the 10 to 14 year old category - unless you are like me and are holding your breath waiting for the next powerful Grisham novel.
Ivy M. (Luvbug) -
I picked this one up because I have read other books by this author and really liked them. I also picked it up because my granddaughter wanted it and I wanted to make sure it was age appropriate before giving it to her.
I found that this book was a very good way to introduce a child to the mystery genre. Theo is a kid in sixth grade who has parents who are both lawyers. He wants to be a lawyer and give a little free advice. Theo gets involved in a murder case in his little town and works to get the bad buy convicted of the murder. When things gets to a point he is having trouble figuring out what to do he goes to his uncle (who is also a lawyer) for advice on what to do next.
Very good book. Loved it and would recommend it to anyone wanting to read a good mystery or to introduce a teen to this genre. There is no language, or questionable situations. The only thing I did not care for was the way it ended...it seemed to just end abruptly.
I found that this book was a very good way to introduce a child to the mystery genre. Theo is a kid in sixth grade who has parents who are both lawyers. He wants to be a lawyer and give a little free advice. Theo gets involved in a murder case in his little town and works to get the bad buy convicted of the murder. When things gets to a point he is having trouble figuring out what to do he goes to his uncle (who is also a lawyer) for advice on what to do next.
Very good book. Loved it and would recommend it to anyone wanting to read a good mystery or to introduce a teen to this genre. There is no language, or questionable situations. The only thing I did not care for was the way it ended...it seemed to just end abruptly.
Connie A. (jazzysmom) -
John Grisham could write traffic tickets and have a following. He is wonderful. Theodore Boone is perfect. An all new direction for Mr Grisham The story line is still court house,murder and family, but written to interest more than the one generation. Theodore Boone is a fantastic kid who gives a "little free advice" and finds himself mixed up in a murder trial. He is a busy young man and i found myself flipping pages quickly to see what was going to happen next--what is??? I wonder if there will be more.
Amy L. (wilfhh29) -
This book says ages 8-12, and I would say closer to 12 than 8--I know my almost 8 year old would not care for it (and he is an advanced reader). It has a lot of basic information about lawyers and trials that is explained through the main character's eyes--and that might be interesting to a tween.
Grisham doesn't develop the characters emotionally very much (like he does in the adult fiction he writes), but I found it an interesting read overall. Something that an adult can read in an afternoon.
Grisham doesn't develop the characters emotionally very much (like he does in the adult fiction he writes), but I found it an interesting read overall. Something that an adult can read in an afternoon.
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? . 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 Encyclopedia Brown, and as with the boy detective, expect to see more of him. Grades 6-8. This is clean, no bad language.
Linda K. (lhasalover) reviewed Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer (Theodore Boone, Bk 1) on + 203 more book reviews
One of the best books he has written in recent years. A thriller. Quick read. If you are a Grisham fan, it is a must read.
Carol N. (carolpwv) - , reviewed Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer (Theodore Boone, Bk 1) on + 47 more book reviews
I was disappointed in this book. It ws not what I expected. It is classified as a Children's book, probably geared to the middle school age group. It was simply written about a boy who wants to a lawyer. Theo is in a unloving family. He is an only child and his parents are too involved in their own legal careers. Theo also wants to be a lawyer so the mystery begins.
Really enjoyed it - A nice change from Grisham's standard novels!
Very well written and easy to read for interested youth. I read a couple of chapters while waiting in line at the Post Office to mail books to fulfill PBSwap requests and decided to read it all against future use in a reading circle. It is a little young for the gals and guys I work with who want to improve their reading skills (and realize at age 15, 16, 17 that they will be soon out in the cold, cruel world--wonderful motivation). We read half the book and discuss, followed by the second half, the students learning to become engages a bit in their reading. In truth we mostly meet only twice and work with chapters from non-fiction books such as HRM so some pointers can be offered and they can see that they can handle any subject in junior college, but YA books are a lot of fun and available on every sort of dilemma imaginable.
Theo, the protagonist, is the son of a couple that practice law together, she in family court, and he in a general practice. He seems popular with his peers despite it being 'well known' that he'd rather hang out at the court house than play video games, baseball, etc. There is a lot to discuss, including his guts in facing the presiding judge to get permission for his class to attend the first day of a trial, the problem of inducing an illegal alien to come forth with key testimony, why girls may do better when taking classes without boys, the Perry Mason TV show in the 1950s creating an expectation among jurors that the guilty party would stand up and confess, etc.
Although Theo interacts a lot with women and girls, it is stated upfront (page 7) that he and none of his 13 year old classmates like girls and vice-versa, which is not believable, although later the author says they flirt during passing period. YA books that are just guys are not realistic and make it difficult for me when working with a mixed group, which is the best way to do this. (And fun. Even if you are a gal that cares little about baseball you can enjoy interacting with four or five guys, some hopefully cute, and get off a few zingers about the way teen guys act). So a book about a guy on the wrestling team, with a part-time job, and cranking out the homework to keep his grades up is much better if he has a girlfriend who is doing likewise while on the track team.
Still, this is a nice read.
Theo, the protagonist, is the son of a couple that practice law together, she in family court, and he in a general practice. He seems popular with his peers despite it being 'well known' that he'd rather hang out at the court house than play video games, baseball, etc. There is a lot to discuss, including his guts in facing the presiding judge to get permission for his class to attend the first day of a trial, the problem of inducing an illegal alien to come forth with key testimony, why girls may do better when taking classes without boys, the Perry Mason TV show in the 1950s creating an expectation among jurors that the guilty party would stand up and confess, etc.
Although Theo interacts a lot with women and girls, it is stated upfront (page 7) that he and none of his 13 year old classmates like girls and vice-versa, which is not believable, although later the author says they flirt during passing period. YA books that are just guys are not realistic and make it difficult for me when working with a mixed group, which is the best way to do this. (And fun. Even if you are a gal that cares little about baseball you can enjoy interacting with four or five guys, some hopefully cute, and get off a few zingers about the way teen guys act). So a book about a guy on the wrestling team, with a part-time job, and cranking out the homework to keep his grades up is much better if he has a girlfriend who is doing likewise while on the track team.
Still, this is a nice read.
Lou Ann V. (louvasek) reviewed Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer (Theodore Boone, Bk 1) on + 20 more book reviews
Very good young teenagers' book. I read it before I gave it to my grandchildren and I enjoyed it as much as they did!
Les C. (the-ump) reviewed Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer (Theodore Boone, Bk 1) on + 17 more book reviews
Good read. Typical Grisham.
Nancy H. (beastie3) reviewed Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer (Theodore Boone, Bk 1) on + 48 more book reviews
It seems that Mr. Grisham is trying to appease his publishers by getting books on the shelf no matter what. He has sullied his reputation by allowing himself to be commercialized to this point.
This book is childish and insulting to anyone who enjoys vivid courtroom drama. Had he aimed this at the 10 to 14 age group it may have been more acceptable.
This book is childish and insulting to anyone who enjoys vivid courtroom drama. Had he aimed this at the 10 to 14 age group it may have been more acceptable.
