Theodore Boone: The Activist
Popular series continues with fight to save the environment.
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that that Theodore Boone: The Activist is the fourth book in the Theodore Boone series and focuses on a group of kids who band together to fight against a highway project, shady developers, and crooked politicians. Theodore's an all-around good kid who stands up for his friends. He sometimes hides things from adults, but he always strives to do what is right.
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What's the Story?
Even at age 13, Theodore is famous for his legal prowess. One of his schoolmates, Hardi Quinn, seeks advice when his family farm is threatened by a proposed highway bypass. When the boys start to investigate, it turns out the project is a boondoggle, secretly benefitting a few but with disastrous consequences for the surrounding community which includes the Quinn family farm, an elementary school, and a soccer complex. As he starts to investigate the highway project, Theodore has run-ins with some shady characters. As in the rest of the series, Theodore combines the talents of his friends along with his own legal prowess to fight for what is right and defeat the crooked developers as well as the city council and the governor. Ultimately, this is an adventure-packed story of kids fighting for what they believe.
Is It Any Good?
Like Nancy Drew, Theodore is somewhat two-dimensional, missing the real depth of a teenager. The plot-driven books in the Theorodre Boone series focus on the story more than the characters. That said, The Activist and all the books should engage anyone interested in the legal system and investigations.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about saving the environment. Are there fragile areas in your town you want to protect?
What are positive ways to use Facebook and social media to support a cause? Discuss ways you currently use Facebook. Can you think of ways to help others or organizations you believe in?
What do you think it would be like to be a lawyer? What are ways that lawyers help people and your community?
Book Details
- Author: John Grisham
- Genre: Mystery
- Topics: Friendship
- Book type: Fiction
- Publication date: May 21, 2013
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 272
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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