Sign in with FacebookMonique's Reviews > Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer
Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer (Theodore Boone, #1)
by John Grisham (Goodreads Author), Richard Thomas
by John Grisham (Goodreads Author), Richard Thomas
Monique's review
bookshelves: 2011, fiction, mystery, thrillers, young-adult
Jul 03, 11
bookshelves: 2011, fiction, mystery, thrillers, young-adult
Read from June 22 to 24, 2011 — I own a copy, read count: 1
This is John Grisham's first foray into the Young Adult (YA) genre, and, true to form, he was able to deliver another engaging legal thriller - this time with a 13-year-old boy as protagonist.
Theodore Boone, Kid Lawyer is the story of Theo, only child of lawyer-parents, who himself dreams of becoming one day a trial lawyer, just like his parents. He may only be in middle school, but he knows practically more law than any other seasoned lawyer, and this is demonstrated by several of his peers coming to him for "legal advice" for their (or their family's) various problems. In the novel, Theo becomes inadvertently involved in a sensational murder trial - the biggest yet in their small town of Strattenberg - and his participation becomes key in the conviction or acquittal of the accused.
Having read most of John Grisham's previous legal thriller books, I was easily able to recognize his handiwork - parts of the novel that are trademark Grisham, if you will. Although the book was tailored to suit the juvenile market, Grisham's wit, sarcasm, dry humor, and yes, even weird character names, are all present in this work. There was still the suspicious goon that always shadows and works for the bad guy/s, discreet evidence-gathering, less hardcore surveillance, and a trustworthy ally. Maybe, over the years, a certain formula has been adopted for all of Grisham's books, but for me, they work every time. This novel is no exception.
What I appreciated about this book was the fact that it could easily serve as an idiot's guide to the law - or at least, the basics. Through Theo and the other characters, certain legal procedures and doctrines were explained, in the very simplest of terms: the how and why of mortgages and foreclosures, the order of trial (at least in the United States, which utilize the jury system in criminal cases), even a little of immigration laws and drug possession cases. If you are not familiar with anything legal, and you read this book, I think you'll be able to pick up a thing or two about the law.
Thank you to ACE for my hardbound copy (from the April 10, 2011 Anniversary Meet-up)! ;)
Theodore Boone, Kid Lawyer is the story of Theo, only child of lawyer-parents, who himself dreams of becoming one day a trial lawyer, just like his parents. He may only be in middle school, but he knows practically more law than any other seasoned lawyer, and this is demonstrated by several of his peers coming to him for "legal advice" for their (or their family's) various problems. In the novel, Theo becomes inadvertently involved in a sensational murder trial - the biggest yet in their small town of Strattenberg - and his participation becomes key in the conviction or acquittal of the accused.
Having read most of John Grisham's previous legal thriller books, I was easily able to recognize his handiwork - parts of the novel that are trademark Grisham, if you will. Although the book was tailored to suit the juvenile market, Grisham's wit, sarcasm, dry humor, and yes, even weird character names, are all present in this work. There was still the suspicious goon that always shadows and works for the bad guy/s, discreet evidence-gathering, less hardcore surveillance, and a trustworthy ally. Maybe, over the years, a certain formula has been adopted for all of Grisham's books, but for me, they work every time. This novel is no exception.
What I appreciated about this book was the fact that it could easily serve as an idiot's guide to the law - or at least, the basics. Through Theo and the other characters, certain legal procedures and doctrines were explained, in the very simplest of terms: the how and why of mortgages and foreclosures, the order of trial (at least in the United States, which utilize the jury system in criminal cases), even a little of immigration laws and drug possession cases. If you are not familiar with anything legal, and you read this book, I think you'll be able to pick up a thing or two about the law.
Thank you to ACE for my hardbound copy (from the April 10, 2011 Anniversary Meet-up)! ;)
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Reading Progress
| 06/23/2011 | page 111 |
|
39.0% | "This is like the idiot's guide to the law. LOL." |
| 06/24/2011 | page 196 |
|
68.0% | "Allthe elements of a John Grisham novel are here." |
Comments (showing 1-8 of 8) (8 new)
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Haha, what a predicament! :) A lot of people use different criteria when reviewing books: character development, writing style, pacing, etc etc. Me, I also take these into account, but more than anything, what's important for me is how much I enjoyed reading the book: how it made me feel, really, to put it simply. So if you'll ask me, how come I rated Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath with 3 stars and this one with 4, I have this simple answer: I enjoyed this book more than Steinbeck. :)
And why should we feel guilty about rating contemporary books higher than the classics? Just because they're classics doesn't automatically mean they're being enjoyed by everyone. To each, his own.
Monique wrote: "And why should we feel guilty about rating contemporary books higher than the classics? Just because they're classics doesn't automatically mean they're being enjoyed by everyone. To each, his own."True that, Monique. :)
K.D. ~ Hehe, sorry to be so emphatic. Di ba that's always the rule naman: to each his own. Different folks, different strokes. ;)JZHUN~ Thanks, Jzhun. :)
And thanks for all the likes po ;)
I've been very hesitant to pick up this book but I'm now adding this to be tbr pile thanks to your review :) If I didn't like the story at least I'll learn something about law. Ahaha :)Chiming in on the previous conversation, I'm also in the different strokes for different folks camp. I personally have 3 main criteria for rating books: 1) writing style, 2) enjoyable and plausible plot, 3) the X factor. A book would have to score high on all three areas for me to rate it a 5. I've been reading Grapes of Wrath on and off for nearly a year now and though it rates high on 1) and some on 3), I cannot bring myself to enjoy the plot. Which is why until now I still haven't finished it XD
Same thing with your Steinbeck (3 stars) and now Grisham (4 stars). How do you explain this? Sometimes, when I do this, I just feel guilty.
I mean maybe 10 years from now, people will no longer be reading Paper Towns but we know that War and Peace has been there for many decades already and future generations will still be reading it.
What is your thought on this? :) Maybe I will use it when I feel guilty.