| Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer |
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What You Need to Know:
• I have to say it, Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer was a bit of a letdown.
• It's typical Grisham fiction, not very literary, but I did like the main character, Theo, so that's good.
• This is the first book in the series, the second is just out (6/6/11). |
Sweet Book Summary:
As I stated above, this book was a disappointment. I had such high hopes of this being the answer to my 11 year old son's reluctant reader issues but it was a dud. I have no illusions about the general quality of Mr. Grisham's books, but they do appeal to a mass audience. So when I saw he had written something for children I was excited it might appeal to those kids that are not that jazzed about reading. But, alas, it was not to be.
Theodore Boone is an eighth grade boy who is the only child of two hard-working lawyers in a small southern town. Theodore is on his way to becoming a lawyer himself and is often sought out by his peers for legal advice. Theo is a great kid, and Grisham has created a nice character here. But Theo doesn't do much but espouse legalese. I am just not sure the intended audience of this book is looking for a courtroom procedural. Never mind that the trial the plot follows is about a husband who is accused of sneaking into his own house and strangling his wife. I am not sure the middle grade audience this book is intended for is ready to take that event in stride and instead study all the ways this man is going to walk out of the jury a free man because the prosecution doesn't have a case. Grisham also throws in a mishmash of major issues like illegal immigration, murder, drunken driving, and drug possession and this book quickly loses it's way, very unfortunately.
So, leave this one on the book store shelf unless you have a young budding lawyer on your hands that would like to see what goes on in the courtroom, down to the minute details. |
Author: John Grisham Illustrator: N/A Published: 2010, 263 pages
Themes: Friendship, Detective Stories, Self-Awareness/Discovery, Adventure, Family Life |
Sweet Discussion Questions:
• Have you ever helped a friend out of a jam?
• What happened and how did you help?
• Have you studied the law at all in school? Is it appealing at all? Why/why not?
• How are you interactions with your parents, similar to Theo and his parents? Why/why not?
• Do you know what you would like to do for you career when you get older?
• If you do know what you would like to do, what are some things you can you do now to start preparing for that career? |
| This recommendation was written by: Melissa Y. |
| Support Independent Book Shops: Click Here to Buy this Book on IndieBound |
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