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    Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer
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    Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer
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    Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer
    Audiobook5 hours

    Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer

    Written by John Grisham

    Narrated by Richard Thomas

    3.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    The thrilling young mystery series from internationally bestselling author John Grisham!

    In the small city of Strattenburg, there are many lawyers, and though he's only thirteen years old, Theo Boone thinks he's one of them. Theo knows every judge, policeman, court clerk-and a lot about the law. He dreams of being a great trial lawyer, of a life in the courtroom.

    But Theo finds himself in court much sooner than expected. Because he knows so much-maybe too much-he is suddenly dragged into the middle of a sensational murder trial. A cold-blooded killer is about to go free, and only Theo knows the truth.

    The stakes are high, but Theo won't stop until justice is served.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateMay 25, 2010
    ISBN9781101404591
    Unavailable
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    Reviews for Theodore Boone

    3.5/5

    423 ratings48 reviews

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    • 4/5
      Theo is like a kid lawyer. And he kind of a bit mature for his age. He like the work of a lawyer, like his parents. Theo is working out how the system works. And he know a lot of people of the court, as they are peers of his parents. Now he found out something that involved the on-going trial. Some of the trial process and rules were being explained. That's the good bit. The rest is a bit plain as the plot is kind of predictable. Good for a young reader. But not engaging enough to make it exciting.
    • 4/5
      Theodore Boone is a 13 year old whose goal is to become a famous trial lawyer or a great judge known for his fairness. His mother is a noted divorce lawyer, and his father was a real estate lawyer. Theo's Uncle Ike was also a lawyer till something went wrong, but he is a good tap for information. Living in the small city of Strattenburg, Theo has access to the courts and the people who work in that world. He also has a large knowledge of what happens in the various courts.The kids at school use him for a tap on what to do in legal matters. Need someone to help you out in Animal Court (your dog got out and the dog catcher took it to the pound); your parents are going through divorce and what will happen to you. Theo can give you some advice to help make sense of it all.Mr. Mount, Theo's Government class teacher, had been a lawyer in the big city and so was his brother, but he gave it up to be a teacher since he found it much more rewarding. With his legal background he felt that it added to his teaching. When Mr. Mount get permission to take the class on a field trip to the courthouse to see a real trial, Theo is the one to clue them in and let them know what to expect, since he has all the connects.The trial is a big event as it is the first murder trial to come up in years in Strattenburg. There are quite a few that think Mr. Duffy murdered his wife. Duffy has hired a high-powered lawyer to go against the D.A.and there are no witnesses to the crime. That is until Theo is introduced to someone who saw someone someplace when they said they weren't.The problem with this revelation is the witness can't come forward for fear they will have legal problems. Theo is sworn to not revealing the witness to anyone. For Theo this is hard, as he knows that he needs to reveal the information since it has direct and major bearing on the trial. Grisham is mainly an adult author, but in this book he is writing for a younger group. No blood and guts and all that, but there is plenty of information and the story moves well. I have found that there are a few more books in this series, so on to the TBR list they go!
    • 4/5
      Easy read story of aspiring teenage lawyer, Theodore Boone, whose class mates constantly seek legal advice from him. The plot concerns one such consultation which reveals important new evidence in a murder trial which Theodore has been avidly following. However he has a moral dilemma in what to do about the evidence. Well drawn, interesting characters and well written plot makes for a quick and easy read.
    • 4/5
      Well this was a fun read for a quiet rainy afternoon. It's a young reader's novel, and Grisham handles that level very well indeed. Theo Boone (whose mother insists on calling him "Teddy", to his chagrin) is 13 years old, very bright, and well versed in the law, as he spends after school hours running errands and soaking up knowledge at his parents' lawfirm. He is well known in the courthouse by attorneys, clerks, judges and secretaries; all his friends seek him out when their families have legal trouble, and he explains the options and intricacies of the system. When a local man is on trial for murdering his wife, Theo finds himself drawn into a moral dilemma that is much too complicated for a 13-year-old. I found this kid totally believable, exactly smart enough, and much less annoying than other child prodigies in literature. He knows when he's in over his head, and trusts the adults in his life. I can't forgive him for feeding his dog spaghetti and Chinese food, but other than that I love him. This book should be absolutely irresistible to young readers interested in the law, as it niftily explains how things really work without being dry or tedious for a second. And Grisham left a couple of very itchy loose ends which I assume he has yanked into the next book in the series (there are six of them so far). I'm hooked.
    • 4/5
      Nicely written by Grisham and read by Richard Thomas. Perfect audio book for both Parents and Kids (over 7) to listen to and enjoy. The main character is a precocious 13 year old who is obsessed with the law and trials. His school mates come to him for help with legal issues involving their parents, pets, etc. One of them is the cousin of an illegal alien who has seen a murderer who otherwise might get away with the crime and Theodore gets involved over his head.
    • 2/5
      Quite disappointing really.
    • 4/5
      I've never read anything by John Grisham before because I get bored and intimidated by legal jargon, but Theodore Boone was a fun, adorable introduction to the courtroom! I'm much more likely to pick up an adult Grisham novel in the future. Grisham breaks down very real court situations and legal fears into understandable language and scenarios.
    • 5/5
      That Theo found the corporate and still has other crimes to deal with.
    • 4/5
      Great book for kids and adults. Reminded me of Encyclopedia Brown from back in the day. Did not like the ending of the book though. No closure
    • 5/5
      Entertaining!!! Excellent storytelling. I love it. Two thumbs up! Theo is awesome
    • 5/5
      A quick and fun read. Theo (to most) or Teddy (to his Mom) is 13 years old and very interested in being a criminal attorney. His Mom is a women's rights attorney and his father is a real-estate attorney but Theo aspires to be a criminal attorney and he's very, very good at it. When a big criminal case comes to town Theo arranges to have is government class attend the first day of testimony. Later he is given some information that may mean a difference in the case. I used to read Grisham all the time but have fallen way behind. I don't know if I'll go back and pick up on his adult mysteries but I'm pretty sure I'm going to continue following Theodore Boone.
    • 3/5
      Being a John Grisham, I was interested immediately - but something was a little off about it - and then I realized its written for the young adult reader audience - that said -it was compelling, interesting and should be a hit for teens. Theo Boone is 13yrs old and he already knows he has a passion for the law. He spends as much time as possible at the City's Court House, he is friends not only with the courthouse staff, balfiffs but even the judge. When the biggest murder case to hit his town in ages comes up for trial, Theo even gets reserved balcony seats for his entire student government class (a favor from his friend, the judge). As the prosecutors case if falling apart, an unknown significant eye witness comes to light, only the twist - the prosecutor doesn't know it, but Theo has the scoop and connection to this witness. Read on to find out the rest of the story!
    • 2/5
      I listened to this as an audio book and didn't know it was written for younger audiences, probably Middle Grade, since the protagonist was a 13-yr-old boy. I decided to listen to it all anyway since Grisham wrote it and I was intrigued to see how he'd handle writing for a different audience than his usual readers.

      All in all, decently done. Grisham provided good basic info on the US legal system that children could understand, but never talked down to them. His use of the MC being the son of two lawyers and intending to become a lawyer himself was well conceived. Theo Boone, the NC, was portrayed as smart and up on the law due to his interest and study of law and absorbing much from his parents by talking to them and listening to their discussions about law.

      The plot was straightforward, had some nice twists, and incorporated some social issues of the 21st Century such as immigration, poverty, language barriers, and the inherent flaws of the justice system.

      I think 10- to- 14-year-olds would enjoy the story, especially if they were at all becoming curious about how the US legal system works. Too simplistic for anyone much older than high school age.
    • 3/5
      Narrated by Richard Thomas (John-Boy Walton!). This put me in mind of the Encyclopedia Brown series, where a detective whiz-kid solves mysteries involving his friends. Through Theodore, author Grisham introduces legal concepts and procedures, which budding young lawyers will soak up.

      *SPOILER* Theodore doesn't exactly take on legal cases so much as advise his troubled friends on what might happen and who they should talk to. Theodore is steeped in the law. His parents are real estate and divorce lawyers, and he hangs out at the courthouse where he's friendly with lawyers, judges, and legal staff. The town's first murder case in a long time captures Theodore's attention as well as the whole town's, and he follows the testimony avidly, in the courtroom and online. It looks like the suspect just may walk, but Theodore learns that a friend's cousin was a key witness to events, and the lawyers don't know he exists. Complicating the matter, the cousin is an illegal immigrant and he doesn't want to talk for fear of deportation. Theodore must decide how to protect the cousin and not let the murderer walk. No dramatic courtroom showdown with the surprise witness...that wouldn't ring true in real life. Instead the judge surprises the lawyers by declaring a mistrial. We don't find out what eventually happens to the murderer, but the real meat of the story describes legal procedure and how it works.
    • 2/5
      I really wanted to like this one. I like John Grisham. But, the things I like about Grisham - minute details about the law process, characters built with lots of background and history, don't work in a young adult book. Or rather the lack of those writing elements sort of make the story fall flat.The premise is a good one. Theodore, son of two lawyers and nephew of a third, LOVES the law and all the trappings. He has his own tiny office in his parent's office, is on first name basis with everyone from the secretaries to the security guard to the most important judge at the court house, and hands out free law advice to any fellow student who asks. His advice seems to be sound and based on a vast knowledge of the system and unlimited access to web info through passwords and codes available from his parents.So far, so good. There is a huge murder trial in town - a husband is accused of murdering his wife. But, the evidence is all circumstantial. Theodore is able to get tickets for his government class to attend the opening day arguments through all his connections. Then Theodore is told a secret. Can you hear the ominous piano music in the background as this happens?This secret is so big the entire trial will hinge on it. But, unlike surprise witnesses on TV (you know that isn't really real) Theodore must play by the rules. He must decide what to do with the information - it could be the difference between a conviction or an acquittal.The most frustrating part of this book is the end...Let me just say SERIES...So. My vote is not over the top. It's interesting, quick and will catch those kids who enjoy all the law and order shows on TV, but it's isn't his best!
    • 3/5
      To be honest I didn't realise this was a book aimed at younger readers. OK book but I found Theo annoying and not like a real person I have ever met. Theo helps stop a murder case.
    • 2/5
      I really wanted to like this one. I like John Grisham. The book is about a 13 year old, written for a 13 year old. It contains many tutorials, unsuitable for any but the most basic adult...i.e. this is a mortgage. The story was pretty well paced and the "reveals" were timed nicely...pretty good murder mystery. The story line about Apri just didn't seem to contribute,maybe later in the series. The book is interesting, quick and may catch those kids who enjoy all the law and order shows on TV. For me, no more Theodore Boone.
    • 2/5
      Theodore Boone is your typical 13-year old American boy whose main passion in life is not video games or sports, but law. Lucky for him, his parents are both lawyers and he is close friends with just about everyone in the small town courthouse. When a trial for a local murder is held, nothing can keep Theo away from the case. But a friend's cousin approaches Theo about something he saw that is related to the murder, and Theo goes from being a courtroom observer to someone who has evidence that could convict a man for murder.

      There is nothing better for a beach vacation than reading a Grisham thriller. I was excited to see Grisham's first children's book, since now I could share this author with my 12 year old son. But even though Grisham's adult mysteries are thrilling and hard to put down, I found this short mystery a bit ho-hum. But not only was the plot lacklaster, the portrayal of Theodore and his teenage friends was shallow and unrealistic. In one scene, Theo asks someone, "May I ask why?" And when his class makes a field trip to see the opening remarks of the trial, the boys ask the teacher what they should wear. "Should we wear suits?" You could spend an entire week on a middle school campus and not hear a single child say "May I ask why?" I think it is more likely that these kids were abducted by aliens than they are typical American boys. Maybe it is because the book I listened to had a very adult Richard Thomas narrating but no one sounded like a teenager, in both dialog and voice. It almost seemed like the Hardy Boys time traveled to the present. Where Grisham is normally exceptional - riveting plots with lots of action - this was very toned down, maybe to suit the children's market. I did think there was interesting lawyer dialog that kids could learn from, but it was not compelling enough for me to recommend this book.
    • 3/5
      I enjoyed this kid's version of a legal suspense novel. Grisham doesn't truly paint a realistic picture of what kids are like now, at least not in my experience, but He doesn't ask you to bend reality too far.
    • 4/5
      Easy, fun read. Grisham is quite the storyteller and manages to lay down some of the basics of law at the same time. This one is/was good for kids and adults alike.
    • 4/5
      A John Grisham series for kids? I had to try it out for myself. This first book in the series introduces the reader to Theodore Boone, the son of two lawyers, who absolutely loves the law. As the biggest murder trial in the history of his small town is underway, Theo wants nothing more than to watch every minute of it. Unfortunately, he has to go to school. But, things get complicated when he is approached by a schoolmate who knows a secret witness, one who could change the outcome of the trial. Now Theo must figure out how to get the witness to come forward before a guilty man is declared innocent.What I like: great protagonist. I love Theo and his passion for law. I like that the reader also gets some facts about how the law actually works (always good for kids…and adults…to know). The book was a short, fast read, good for kids around 10-11 years old. (Might be a little harder for 8-9 year olds, only because of the legal jargon.)What I didn’t like: parts of the book, especially the beginning, were slow (but not terrible). The only thing I really didn’t like about the book was the ending. It was so abrupt. It was kind of like…wait, that’s it?Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • 4/5
      Theo Boone is a 13 year old boy who dreams with being a lawyer or a judge. He is a normal teenager who helps his class mates with small things, like suggesting who to go to if they’re in trouble.

      One day, he is given some information that could change the outcome of the biggest murder trial in his town.

      The main character, Theo Boone, is a normal 13 year old boy. He goes to school and he doesn’t like all his classes and thinks his time would be better spent somewhere else. Theo is believable and could be any kid you know. He doesn’t understand why boys are weird around girls until he helps a girl he likes and knows that sometimes there are things he needs help with. Specifically help from an adult.

      This last thing is very important as it creates an inner conflict for Theo. He has to decide whether he tells somebody this new information (this could get an innocent person in trouble) or keeps a promise (he promised not to tell anybody but he thinks this new information should be known).

      One think I liked about this book is that it explains how trials work and what happens or doesn’t happen. This will be a great help, not only for young people, but for anybody who, like me, is not familiar with the US legal system.

      I loved this book so much, that it was very difficult for me to find a negative aspect, although one thing I should mention is that this book is aimed at young readers and told from the point of view of a 13 year old. I don’t think it is really a negative thing but some people may not like this.

      Theodore Boone Kid Lawyer is Grisham’s first YA book, but he succeeds in creating a story you won’t want to stop reading.
    • 2/5
      Theodore Boone is a smart eighth grader who pretty much grew up in a courtroom because his parents are both lawyers in his small hometown. He is the go-to guy for legal advice. So it is not surprising that another student he knows confides thathe knows someone who has a story to tell about a recent murder case now at trial. this is obviously Book One of a longer story and is only partially resolved at the end of the book. It takes kind of a long itme to get up to speed, but very thoroughly describes the courtroom, its players, and the law. Not compelling enough for me to keep reading the rest of the series.
    • 1/5
      This story moved way too slowly. Apparently the plan is to carry the plot of this book out for several books. Unfortunately that means formulating each installment around a sub-plot. In this first installment, the sub-plot revolving the plight of an immigrant family in a homeless shelter was not enough to hold the book together. All the actual tension in the novel surrounded the central plot of the inevitable series, but it was not enough to make me care if I read the second installment or not. I don't care about any of the characters and I don't care how the plot resolves. This could have been a winner if it had stuck to the main plot and moved at something faster than a turtle's pace.
    • 1/5
      This book is not a satisfying read. Grisham's business plan is too obvious - begin the plot in this entry, write the sequel to continue it and resolve it three or four entries down the road. Why sell one book, when you can sell four or five? Thus, the many threads of the plot and subplots only begin in this book and absolutely nothing is resolved by the end. Theodore Boone, the precocious kid lawyer, is only mildly interesting. The best character in the book is his disbarred uncle, Ike. Grisham beats up the reader along the way with his heavy handling of the subplots - we get broken families, drunk driving, the mortgage mess and the struggles of legal and illegal immigrants, all in this one book. Finally, the end and the menacing glares of the thuggish investigator, which are meant to threaten Theo and foreshadow bad things to come in the next book - unfortunately, they don't rise to the level of an even mediocre cliffhanger. Not a total waste of time, but nearly so. At least it was a fast read.
    • 3/5
      Theodore Boone is one smart kid. With both parents as lawyers, he knows more about the law and what goes on in a courtroom than a lot of lawyers. Certainly more than your average pre-teen. He knows all the judges, what they do, and who works under them. He knows how each trial should go. He gives advice to his eight grade (and under) friends who have legal and financial family issues. He’s a good kid, wanting to help his community through law, and is trying to decide whether or not he wants to be a lawyer or a judge. In Theo’s small town in New York, the usual cases aren’t much of an excitement. But now there has been a murder, and Theo, an eighth grader with a sharp mind and a love for law, is the only one who knows the truth – and he doesn’t knw what to do with it. I have to say: as much as I was looking forward to reading this book, I wasn’t that impressed. The description makes it sound intense, but it really isn’t. This involves maybe half the book. The rest is preparing the audience (aimed for the younger bunch) for what lies in store…such as where each person in court sits and what they do; or it is a collection of smaller cases that Theo works on with his friends who need his help…such as a boy whose family is about to lose their house, or a girl whose parents are about to get a divorce. And while learning about all these different areas of law is interesting, it’s NOT what the description is promising. Which is very disappointing. I think this is a great book if you want to learn about law and the different areas and how exactly things go on in a court room, with no surprise witnesses and whatnot (like you see on TV). But if you’re looking for a fast-paced novel with twists and suspense, this is not the book for you. It only really starts to get interesting in the end; but still, I don’t think I want to read the next one. Too much of the first one was iffy, and I don’t want to waste my time. A couple of good things about the book… I felt like it had a lot of character. Theo’s life is very “perfect” in a sense. His parents are both very organized. Theo has a schedule he has to keep to – and wants to keep to. The Boone’s lives are straight-forward, getting things done. It helped the story a lot. The way Grisham describes each and every lawyer, secretary, suspect, witness and judge is bright and gives life to the book. Because of this, I think I would enjoy one of Grisham’s older novels. Still, overall, Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer was a disappointment for someone who was expecting the fast-paced story the description makes it sound like.
    • 4/5
      A quick read, a wonderful story, beautiful characters that instantly come alive, lifting off the pager becoming at once a part of our lives. This book leaves you wanting more, much more!
    • 4/5
       Book talk:Describe a typical 8th grade guy, (Allow time for student responses.) Yeah, Theo Boone is definitely not your typical 13 year old. I'm not even sure if he would even be a typical 18 year old. You see, Theodore, or Theo as everyone calls him, has grown up around the law: his parents are both lawyers, he knows everyone who works at the local courthouse, he'd probably rather watch a trial at the courthouse than anything on TV. Oh, yeah, and his dog's name is Judge. In fact, Theo knows the law so well that his classmates come him for legal advice; actually, even the secretary at school went to Theo for legal advice. So it's really not surprising when Theo gets involved in the murder trial down at the courthouse. He gets permission for his government class to sit in on the first day in court. There they all hear about the murder of Myra Duffy, and about the suspected murderer, her husband. For Theo, this is the Super Bowl in the criminal justice system. And the courtroom is already becoming his turf. Don't expect the mystery to end on the final page. Theo Boone, kid lawyer, is just getting started.
    • 4/5
      This is John Grisham's first foray into teenage fiction. Theodore is the son of two lawyers and wants to be a lawyer himself when he grows up. He is friendly with the people at the courts and one of the judges and spends time giving advice to his classmates on their legal problems. His judge friend gets him and his legal classmates seats in court for a mudrer trial happening in his town. But Teodore becomes more directly involved in this trial when he is presented with evidence that could change the course and the verdict of the trial. But the person with the information is too scared to come forward for fear they may be deported. This is too big an issue for Theodore to handle alone so he goes to his uncle first, and then his lawyer parents for help. This book was a good read, although i would have liked it to carry on a bit longer so that all the issues could be resolved. There were one or two characters who were introduced to the story and we never really knew enough about their purpose for being there. Maybe he will write a sequal to finish the story..
    • 4/5
      Theo Boone, 13, child of two lawyers, dreams of being a great lawyer someday. He haunts the courts, knows the judges, police and court employees of his small town, and uses his legal insight to help friends when they need legal advice. He is inadvertently dragged into the most sensational murder trial to hit town in years when he discovers that the investigation has taken a wrong turn, and the actual killer may go free. This is an intriguing and well-paced book, aimed at younger readers but a good read for adults too. The ending did not quite wrap things up, and I would hope this portends at least one more book to come.