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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
This is a clever YA suspense/procedural story. It introduces children to the procedures of a courtroom plus gives them a hero they can follow and relate to in their teenage years. Theodore Boone is a kid who knows what he wants to do with his life, and he lives to do it even at the young age of 13. You'll be enthralled with the story just as much your child.
I got this for my son to listen to over summer break and I just finished it. I'd recommend it for 10 year old boys (5 stars). Theodore Boone's parents are both lawyers and he loves the law & the courts. He get's interested in a murder trial and is contacted by a surprise witness, as well as handling several other legal situations. Very clear explanations of the trial and legal terms without seeming "textbookish". Not exciting enough for adults.
I think was a very interesting book. I read the first chapter one day and hadn't picked it up for a few days but then today I decided to read more and ended up reading the entire book over the day. It was very engaging. I am definitely going to read the next book in the series when I get the chance.
This is a young adult book but I encourage anybody to read it.
This is a young adult book but I encourage anybody to read it.
This book was great. I'm a big Grisham fan anyway and love law and anything to do it.
I only wish I was that smart when I was 13.
This is a quick read and will hold your attention.
I only wish I was that smart when I was 13.
This is a quick read and will hold your attention.
I really enjoyed this! I can't wait to read this rest of this series. I'm hooked.
I didn't like that the mention of a Sports Illustrated was in this. It was unnecessary and for an 8th grader to be written as looking at one much less- no, Ma'am.
I didn't like that the mention of a Sports Illustrated was in this. It was unnecessary and for an 8th grader to be written as looking at one much less- no, Ma'am.
I wasn't very impressed with the main character Theodore. I have a 12yo and I don't see any 13yo acting like Theodore. He's not realistic and it's distracting from the storyline, which is decent for a YA mystery. I wanted to enjoy the book more.
This was both as good as I expected and not-as-good as what I expected. I really liked how the whole plot ended up playing out. Reading the first part of this book, I wasn't sure how in the world Theo was the key to the correct verdict since he appeared to know nothing. What actually ended up happening made so much more sense, and it really dove into more of the side characters as a result. We learn more about side characters that at first glance don't seem that important as a result of this direction. It made the story all the more interesting. At the same time, though, I feel that there could've been more action, for lack of a better word. The majority of the book wasn't really actively working to prove their case. It was mostly Theo in his everyday life, and then contemplating on what to do. All of the action just happened, and everything was resolved within the last thirty-something pages. For something so crucial, that sure was quick. There should have been a lot more action added in here in order to make the story feel more tense and worrisome. Not to say that the story wasn't suspensful-I was still itching to see how it would all turn out. It managed to have the underlying intrigueness since there's many layers to this case, but it didn't have the type of intrigueness that just slaps you in the face with suspense and action. I did like the parts where it was just Theo going through every day life. It was nice to have some slice of life stuff. Just going through Theo's entire weekly schedule was a nice, easing thing to read, while also learning more about Theo. But there could have been much less than what we got. The perfect balance between action and episodic would have made this much better. Still, overall, this was a nice read. And I'm interested to see what's next.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content warnings: murder (in the past), death, violence, racism
Wow, this was dull. I had high hopes that it would be a crime series for Year 7s who aren't quite ready for One Of Us Is Lying but who've gone beyond Murder Most Unladylike. But unfortunately, this was just dry. It read like Justice System 101 with a murder case tossed into the background. The idea of this 13 year old's classmates coming to him to solve their parents' legal problems was utterly ridiculous, and Theo proved to be an irritating protagonist. And then just as things were finally getting interesting with a surprise witness and some shocking evidence, Grisham - the author of so many plot twist-y legal thrillers! - goes all "that's not how the legal system works" and decides to give us an authentic end to the case? Boo, boo I say!
But, like, what the hell do I know, I'm a 41 year old reading middle grade books.
Wow, this was dull. I had high hopes that it would be a crime series for Year 7s who aren't quite ready for One Of Us Is Lying but who've gone beyond Murder Most Unladylike. But unfortunately, this was just dry. It read like Justice System 101 with a murder case tossed into the background. The idea of this 13 year old's classmates coming to him to solve their parents' legal problems was utterly ridiculous, and Theo proved to be an irritating protagonist. And then just as things were finally getting interesting with a surprise witness and some shocking evidence, Grisham - the author of so many plot twist-y legal thrillers! - goes all "that's not how the legal system works" and decides to give us an authentic end to the case? Boo, boo I say!
But, like, what the hell do I know, I'm a 41 year old reading middle grade books.
Honestly, I was engrossed by this story. The only reason I am not giving this a higher rating is the ending. I read several other reviews that mention this reads more like an extended prologue, and I have to agree. I am not as bothered by this as some; however, I do wish that the major "case" in this particular installment in the series had a more conclusive ending. I am assuming that the case ended "as it should." Overall, it was a quick and easy read that will interest many of my students. I plan on continuing the series because I simply must have answers to the numerous questions that I have.