Theodore Boone, Kid Lawyer

John Grisham is one of the most recognizable names in the publishing world. He is famous for his legal thrillers for adults, with titles under his belt that include The Pelican Brief and The Client. But what happens when a prolific adult author decides to write a book for kids? The answer to that question is unpredictable. Some authors, such as environmental writer Carl Hiaasen, enjoy a great deal of success writing for this new audience. Others have a bit more trouble. John Grisham has stepped into the world of children's literature with his latest novel, Theodore Boone, Kid Lawyer, and the result is ultimately a mixed bag.

Theo is not your typical 8th grade student. His parents are both lawyers, and as a result he is, shall we say, a bit obsessed with the law. He knows the ins and outs of the legal system better than many adults and offers advice to his friends free of charge. What legal problems can a bunch of kids possibly have? You'd be surprised. One friend has concerns about her parents' upcoming divorce hearing, another doesn't know what will happen when her dog is picked up by the pound, and another has a bother arrested for drug possession. Theo is glad to share his knowledge with his classmates, and when his government class decides to sit on on the first day of a major murder trial Theo gladly shows the class the ropes and explains the proceedings. The murder trial is the most exciting thing to happen in his small town in quite some time, and Theo is obsessed with following the trial's events as closely as he can. But when he stumbles across some information that could drastically alter the outcome of the trial, Theo isn't really sure what to do. Should he come forward with the identity of the surprise witness? Or should he protect the identity of his friend, an illegal immigrant?

A few things to note about this book: First of all, I can't think of a single other legal tale in the kids' lit world, which makes this book very unique. All in all, Grisham does a solid job of explaining the legal system in terms that kids can really understand. The legal thriller aspects of this novel, centered around a sensational courtroom trial, are spot on and really show off Grisham's expertise.

However, I really think that Grisham has some trouble adapting to his new audience. Theo doesn't ever really seem much like a kid - more like a mini lawyer who occasionally needs advice from the grown-ups. He's a bit too perfect for his own good - too smart, too charitable, to mature. As a result his character is never particularly interesting or three-dimensional, and come to think of it neither are the supporting characters. The dialogue is a tad stilted as Theo (you guessed it!) talks in a formalized, adult, professional tone that just isn't realistic for a 13-year-old boy. There are also sections of expository narration as Theo explains legal proceedings. These sections are actually useful and well explained, but they could have been inserted into the text more creatively.

John Grisham's latest thriller really shines when the author is able to do what he does best - write about an unusual legal battle. And while not a bad attempt, he just misses the mark when writing for this young audience. Still, kids looking for a different kind of mystery or who have an interest in such legal matters will probably be satisfied enough.

Overall Grade: B-