Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer

Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer, by John Grisham (Penguin Audio, 2010, read by Richard Thomas)

Both of Theodore Boone's parents are lawyers--his mother, a divorse attorney, his father, something to do with taxes, I think. His uncle has been disbarred but used to by an attorney, as well. Theodore is also a lawyer, of sorts. He sees kids pro bono and offers them info on matters such as home foreclosures and pets picked up by animal control.

When a murder trial is held in town, a friend comes to Theo with incriminating evidence that his cousin turned up. The problem is: the cousin is an illegal immigrant and afraid to tell the police what he knows. Can Theo keep the witness secret and still reveal the truth?

I don't know. Maybe he should ask his parents. Or his uncle. If he wants to ruin the book, that is!

In real life, yes. When in doubt, tell your parents. If your parents are idiots, find an adult who is not an idiot, and talk to them. Talk to two adults so that if one flakes out on you, you've covered your bases.

But in books...the kid should solve the problem on his own. I thought we'd established that in all the other kids books. Instead, Theo tells his uncle, who makes him tell his parents. This cuts through the tension a little too early in the book. However, Grisham is such a skilled storyteller that he can break this kidlit rule and still pull off an exciting and well-plotted mystery.

It is a courtroom thriller for kids, which I love. To Kill a Mockingbird is the only courtroom drama I can think of that, if not written for kids, has become a must-read for junior high or high school kids. (Must read because their teachers make them read it, but many of them end up loving the book.)

Loved the plot, loved the idea. However, there was something pretty big I didn't like about this book: Theo. He just didn't seem like a realistic 13 year old to me. His life and his comfort level in all situations seemed too perfect. Nobody has a perfect life, least of all a 13 year old.

Maybe your parents get along great and have good jobs that they love. Maybe you've come to terms with the fact that you are not athletic but are instead smart. Maybe classmates turn to you when they're in trouble. Okay, maybe Theo really does have a perfect life. What can you do? Don't hate him because he's perfect.

I guess I just like a little vulnerability in my characters. In the Echo Falls series, Ingrid is cute and good at soccer. She lives in a nice house with successful--and pretty nice--parents. But there is vulnerability. Her family is always under pressure to succeed. It makes them real.

Everybody has something. They don't make problem-free lives. It's like a jackalope. You can buy the postcard. But it doesn't really exist.

I had a nice life when I was 13. My parents loved each other. My brothers and I laughed together. I got good grades. I had a best friend. But I was still miserable. Because I was 13! Not to say every 13 year old has to be miserable, but I have a hard time believing they'd take everything as philosophically as Theo does.

I listened to the audio version and found myself responding aloud in certain parts.

Book: Theo's dad liked to give him suggestions for improving his golf game. Theo took them well.

Me: Of course he did.

Book: Theo never charged his classmates for his legal advice.

Me: Of course he didn't. Classic Theo.

To me, either Theo is too good to be true, or his life is too good to be true.

That's just a personal thing, though. Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys are very popular, so lots of people must like invulnerable characters.

The verdict: More (less perfect) legal thrillers for kids, please.