Parents' Guide to

Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer

By Barbara Lawrence, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 11+

Series starter about teen lawyer teaches Courtroom 101.

Book John Grisham Mystery 2010
Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 11+

Based on 2 parent reviews

yanwang007
yanwang007 Parent of 10 and 12-year-old
September 30, 2021
age 10+

The best

I can't find any other positive figures as these book series somewhere else. This book introduced law terms as in the other books. I like the humor and fun in the animal court in the series books. It is also a fast pace, and my boy can't put down to dig out what happened in the end. Wish to read more books like this series.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
shanerocks
shanerocks Adult
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!

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
See all 2 parent reviews

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?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (15 ):

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.

Talk to Your Kids 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?

Book Details

  • Author: John Grisham
  • Genre: Mystery
  • Book type: Fiction
  • Publisher: Puffin Books
  • Publication date: May 25, 2010
  • Publisher's recommended age(s): 9 - 12
  • Number of pages: 263
  • Last updated: July 12, 2017

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