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Theodore Boone Young Lawyer by John Grisham

Thirteen year old Theo is the son of two lawyers in a small American town. He dreams of one day becoming a great trial lawyer or judge but finds himself in court much sooner than he expected when he is dragged into the middle of a sensational murder trial. It is the first murder that the town has had in years and a husband is accused of murdering his wife for insurance money. Naturally Theo is obsessed with the case.

He then discovers a secret. There is a witness who doesn’t want to be deported as an illegal immigrant so won’t come forward. Theo must use his own personal knowledge to prove the murderer guilty.

This is a book where people will either like or dislike based on the main character, Theo. Grisham has rejected the contemporary culture of casting thirteen year olds in relationships or as loners looking for adventure. Also unusual is that Theo is a good kid, not a rebel in any way, and wants to be successful in the professional world when he grows up. Therefore if a reader wants to read about a rebel and a love story or coming of age tale filled with sexuality, this is definitely not the book for them. If on the other hand they want a novel about a boy who has not quite reached adolescence, is interested in truth and justice, and finds himself thrust into a situation where he has to make decisions beyond his years, then they will love Young Lawyer.

This novel reminded me of ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ in a few ways. Firstly is the similarity of having a lawyer as a parent and a boy who spends time at a courtroom. Secondly both are written in roughly the same pace, with the story building slowly for quite a while. Thirdly both books deal with justice and explain the legal system well. But unlike To Kill A Mockingbird, Young Lawyer has the murderer on trial and looking like he will get off, rather than the other way around. Also the young boy is the only one who knows the truth.

It has the suspense and intrigue that adults know John Grisham for. Even though it is John Grisham’s first book for this market, he has written a courtroom novel that many young readers will love. It may not be a fast paced action adventure but follows the pace of life. It has children who do not like the ‘non-traditional’ attitudes of their parents and who do not have fun by the ‘freedom’ given by their parents but instead feel neglected. He writes with traditional values and a sense that you don’t have to rebel to have fun nor be caught up in a thrilling, exciting and dangerous event.

The biggest problem with this book I can see though is that many parents will also want to read it, and might find it easier to relate to than some of today’s children.

RRP $29.99
Published and distributed by Hachette under the Hodder title
 

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