THEODORE BOONE: KID LAWYER by John Grisham (2010)

Dutton Children's Books; 263 pages; mystery; ages 8-13; ISBN: 978-0-525-42384-3.

Though he's not the attorney equivalent of Doogie Howser, M.D., meaning he hasn't gone to law school and passed the bar (yet), 13-year-old Theo Boone dispenses legal advice to friends and likes hanging out downtown at the courthouse after school. One day during an explosive murder trial that's been generating lots of headlines Theo is told by a classmate that his cousin has some evidence about the murder; since Theo is friendly with the judge overseeing the trial, the cousin figures he might be able to help. But the witness turns out to be an illegal immigrant, and he's afraid he'll be deported if he comes forward with what he knows. Now it's up to Theo to help bring the killer to justice without ruining the life of his classmate's cousin.

In Parade magazine last summer John Grisham, a former lawyer and one of the best-selling novelists of all time, was asked what it's like to suddenly write for a tween audience. He replied, "My daughter is a schoolteacher, and I spoke to her students recently. Talk about being a nervous wreck! At 11 years old, they’ll ask you anything, and I left too many strings in the air with the first book. The kids are still mad about it—they wanted it wrapped up in a nice, neat package. I’m learning a lot." Indeed, Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer wraps up without the murder trial having been concluded. Kids don't want to be talked down to in books, but as far as I can tell they're also not game for ambiguous endings or open-ended climaxes the way teens often are. In general Grisham's first book for tweens left me wondering whether he genuinely enjoys books targeted at this crowd or just figured writing one would make for a good test of his skills (I don't think he needs or really wants the money).

For further reading, check out Grisham's second Boone book, Theodore Boone: The Abduction (2011).