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| Categories | Action & Adventure |
| Author | John Grisham |
| Publisher | Puffin Books; Reprint edition (May 3, 2011) |
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 288 pages |
| Item Weight | 7.2 ounces |
| Dimensions |
5.06 x 0.73 x 7.75 inches |
I. Book introduction
Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer, known as Theodore Boone: Young Lawyer in the UK, is a 2010 legal drama and the first novel by John Grisham for middle-grade children (8-13 year olds). It is the first in a series about Theodore Boone. Grisham jokingly said in an interview that he wanted to catch up with Harry Potter, since his number one place was taken in the bestsellers.
A perfect murder
A faceless witness
A lone courtroom champion knows the whole truth . . . and he’s only thirteen years old
Meet Theodore Boone
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.
Brimming with the intrigue and suspense that made John Grisham a #1 international bestseller and the undisputed master of the legal thriller, Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer will keep readers guessing and pages turning.
Editorial Reviews
- “Not since Nancy Drew has a nosy, crime-obsessed kid been so hard to resist.” -The New York Times
- “Classic Grisham.” -The Los Angeles Times
- “Smartly written.” — USA Today
- “Grisham is an absolute master.”–Washington Post
- “Edge-of-your-seat drama, sophisticated plotting, and plenty of spunk.”–Chicago Sun-Times
- “Gripping . . . I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery.”–Scholastic News
About John Grisham
John Grisham (born February 8, 1955 in Jonesboro, Arkansas) is an American novelist, lawyer and former member of the 7th district of the Mississippi House of Representatives, known for his popular legal thrillers. According to the American Academy of Achievement, Grisham has written 28 consecutive number-one fiction bestsellers, and his books have sold 300 million copies worldwide. Along with Tom Clancy and J. K. Rowling, Grisham is one of only three authors to have sold two million copies on a first printing.
Grisham graduated from Mississippi State University and earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1981. He practised criminal law for about a decade and served in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1983 to 1990.
Grisham’s first novel, A Time to Kill, was published in June 1989, four years after he began writing it. Grisham’s first bestseller, The Firm, sold more than seven million copies. The book was adapted into a 1993 feature film of the same name, starring Tom Cruise, and a 2012 TV series which continues the story ten years after the events of the film and novel. Seven of his other novels have also been adapted into films:
- The Chamber,
- The Client,
- A Painted House,
- The Pelican Brief,
- The Rainmaker,
- The Runaway Jury, and Skipping Christmas.
Grisham is a two-time winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction and was honored with the Library of Congress Creative Achievement Award for Fiction.
When he’s not writing, Grisham serves on the board of directors of the Innocence Project and of Centurion Ministries, two national organizations dedicated to exonerating those who have been wrongfully convicted. Much of his fiction explores deep-seated problems in our criminal justice system.
John Girsham lives on a farm in central Virginia.
II. Reviewer: Theodore Boone – Kid Lawyer
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1. MICHAEL GAREE reviews for Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer
Boone Series Proves Grisham a Writer with Awesome Talent and Range
NOTE: Because I have just completed reading the entire Theodore Boone series, this review will apply to each book in the series by John Grisham.
I have read every book written by John Grisham and every single one of them is definitely a “keeper” and well worth the investment of both time and money.
Grisham first came on the literary scene as a writer of legal novels, and most of his work still focuses on the legal arena. But over the years he has shown that his talent is much farther reaching, that his subject matter reach is hardly limited to the law. One novel that comes immediately to mind is “Playing for Pizza.” Another is “Gray Mountain.” And now comes the “Theodore Boone” series, essentially books aimed at the children’s book market segment.
Don’t be fooled, however, the “Theodore Boone” series is also a GREAT read for adult readers. The 13-year-old Boone quickly becomes a memorable and admirable character. Both of his parents are lawyers (his father a tax-lawyer and his mother a divorce-lawyer) and Boone determines early on that he, too, very much wants to become a lawyer when he grows up. He does not, however, yearn for either of the law fields embraced by his parents! No, he sees himself as a trial lawyer, someone who engages in courtroom battles of great moment before juries.
One of the most frequent places he visits virtually on a daily basis are the courtrooms in his hometown. He is known by, and (usually) widely admired and respected by, every prominent local judge, court clerk, police officer, et al. The judges, especially, are his true “heroes.” He even named his dog, which he rescued just hours before the dog was to be put down, “Judge.” How did he accomplish this? By appearing as a “lawyer” in Animal Court, where anyone can serve as his or her own “lawyer.”
So, if you think John Grisham is only a very talented writer of legal thrillers, think again, and pick up and read his Theodore Boone series. It is the work of a true master of the writing craft!
2. RANDAL W.HOWARD reviews for Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer
Kid Lawyer? He really IS!
The beginning of a new era! Fine writing, and a totally believable new character, along with his friends. Theo is 13. About that there is no question. But he’s not quite what you might expect. You see, his Parents (Marcella and Woods Boone) are lawyers. Both of them. Theo (Theodore) spends a lot of time in the offices of Boone & Boone, and picks up a lot more knowledge than might be expected. And he doesn’t forget what he’s learned. He picks up new words, and insists upon knowing what they mean. He loves the law, and wants to be a lawyer when he grows up. And he/
‘s working on it, even NOW!. He helps out his friends… Like the boy whos parents wew about to lose their home. Theo talked with his friend, looked at his computer in a website he’s not expected to know about, told him something to do, and a couple of days later learned that they would stay in their home. No violation of law looking at that website, just HE knew about it, and his friend did not.
Jack Duffy seems to have killed his wife, and was on trial for it. But there were no witnesses against him, and he has this attitude in Court. I young friend of Theo’s had a Cousin, who had seen Duffy moving about the house where the crime occurred at the time it occurred. But HE was an ILLEGAL, and scared to death! Theo and his parents helped his Aunt get a place to live and to SPONSOR the young man, and he was ready to testify…… Read the book! It’s an incredible page turner! Theo is WISE beyond his years, and without being a wise guy. And SMART without the attitude that usually goes with it!
3. MONIQUE reviews for Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer
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)! 😉
4. BORDER TERRIER reviews for Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer
Theodore Boone – not just for kids!
I am with Bo Bartley on this one!
I have read everything that has been written by John Grisham, (in English anyway!), and always eagerly await the next one.
If anything, Grisham has the ability to keep the reader on the edge of their seat right up till the end, but then finishes with rather a flat ending, which leaves you a little disappointed. This was not so with his earlier efforts such as The Pelican Brief, The Firm and The Client for example. Its as though Mr Grisham suddenly runs out of steam toward the end.
Theodore Boone is a great little novel that can be read by all ages but it will serve as an introduction for the younger reader and may get them hooked!
The ending is left little open in that the whole thing ended in a mis-trial to be heard all over again, but certain shady characters such as Omar Cheepe could be resurrected easily in a sequel in which the trial could be bought to a conclusion.
I saw an interview on TV with John Grisham and it was suggested that Theodore Boone could become the subject of a series of novels, making him the Harry Potter of the Courtroom Drama!
I’ll buy it anyway – just let me know when it is published.
I’m off to read The Confession now!
5. KATHRYN reviews for Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer
You know, sometimes I write reviews explaining why things haven’t worked for me in particular books. Often I find myself citing implausibility as a major reason, sometimes lack of resolution and not enough strings being pulled together at the end. (Sometimes it’s too many strings being tied up and leaving a feeling of the ending being contrived.)
In this book, it really was fairly unbelievable that a 13 year old would be looking into other students’ legal troubles, jumping onto city websites to check the status of peoples’ impounded dogs and whether the bank is going to foreclose on their parents’ mortgage, hacking into the local courtroom’s court reporting software to see what is happening with a current trial etc. Sure, a lot of 13 year olds probably could do this, but how many would want to do it?! And to do it for altruistic purposes!! But I didn’t really care about how realistic this was – I thought Theo Boone was such a nice kid, I’d forgive his author (almost) anything – including the lack of resolution at the end, which was a little dissatisfying – although I wondered whether it was done like that in order to leave the way open for the story to continue in the second book…
It’s been a while since I’ve read any John Grisham, and I think that’s because I felt like I was reading a formula when I read his books. So I stopped. This one was certainly different – while still based on the legal system, using the perspective of a child gave it a unique twist. I’m looking forward to the second in this series.
6. JIM reviews for Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer
Grisham did a great job on a YA novel. Theodore isn’t the average kid, but he’s not all that far out save for his fascination with being a lawyer or a judge. He loves the legal system & is known at school for helping everyone out with good advice while keeping his mouth shut.
Of course he’s thrilled when the biggest murder trial in recent history takes place & he even gets dragged into it in a very convincing way. A very good legal & ethical question stumps him & eventually the adults around him. Well done & Grisham never talks down to the reader, something far too many authors do in this sort of book.
Best of all, it was narrated by John-boy Walton (Richard Thomas to you young ‘uns.) who did a fantastic job. I really liked it & highly recommend it. I’m going to read another soon.
7. HAROLD WOLF reviews for Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer
Grisham: bestselling TEEN author? FILM? SERIES? YES!
A sure home-run teen novel. Perfect for father/son co-reading. I bought it for my son & grandson and thoroughly enjoyed it myself. Plenty of murder suspense, but not bloody and educational, teaching the ways of the courtroom as a bonus. Kids are going to love it. Producers will seek the movie rights. Move aside Perry Mason, we have a new series started. The sequel stage is already set.
Theo’s a 13-year-old unlicensed, unpaid, practicing kid attorney. Grisham’s words: “Yep. Kid thinks he’s a lawyer. Knows every cop, every judge, every court clerk. Hangs around courtrooms, probably knows more law than most lawyers.” Parents are Boone & Boone, she in divorce law, he in real estate. An Uncle Ike Boone, former partner, is a broken man, disbarred. Dog’s name is Judge. Close friend is April, but not girlfriend, since a man age 13 tends to shun romance.
Mr. Duffy is on trial, biggest murder trial in Strattenburg’s history, for murdering his wife. Only circumstantial evidence. Don’t worry, the story explains that word, and all the other facets of criminal law. During Theo’s kid-law practicing, he stumbles across unknown evidence, big evidence. What can he do? That’s the plot and I’ll not write spoiler info. One fun moment is Theo’s successful defense of popular, beautiful, 8th grade classmate, Hallie (well her dog) in Judge Yeck’s “Kitty [Animal] Court.”
Can’t go wrong with this purchase. Gift for birthday, Father’s Day, Children’s Day, Christmas, Labor Day, you name it, a no occasion gift book, especially if you can use it to entice kid/parent reading together. Grandparents, like me, do yourself a favor and do the co-read with your grandchild. Win-win, and a bit of enjoyable Grisham mystery to boot.
As the teacher will say (and I was one):
5 GOLD STARS for “THEODORE BOONE kid lawyer”, by John Grisham.
8. SPENS reviews for Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer
Actual rating: 4.5
I picked this up on a whim and I’m so glad I did! I had seen this book in a lot of second-hand book sales and didn’t expect to love it so much if it was been unhauled so often, but man, I don’t recall enjoying myself reading a book this way in quite a while! The characters are very likeable and the mystery is slow-going yet somehow also edge-of-your-seat. While this story has a distinct arc, it mostly sets up the characters and setting for the rest of the series. (A bummer, really, because I thought this was a standalone.) I’m delighted to be continuing this series in the near future however! An instant favorite.
9. PATRICK reviews for Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer
Well, the title is a little misleading, wonderkid Theodore Boone is not a licensed lawyer. Both of his parents are however legit and successful attorneys-at-law. TB loves the law and will one day be a damn good lawyer, he is 13 years old and an eighth grade student in this series. He knows all the judges in town as well as many of the lawyers. Everyone in town knows TB and he is respected and well liked by most everyone around. In particular Judge Gantry who allows Theo access to his courtroom anytime he likes. He is superb in ‘Animal Court’ because a plaintiff or a defendant can be represented by anyone.
I look forward to next one in the Theodore Boone series which I’ve been told is geared for young adults and for those young at heart, like me! Take a chance, it’s a quick read and even better listen once you get used to British narrator.
Characters
- Theodore Boone : A thirteen-year old boy who dreams of being a lawyer one day. He’s loves Government class at his school with Mr. Mount, and he enjoys playing golf with his father.
- Marcella Boone: Theo’s mother. She is a divorce lawyer working on her own firm, Boone & Boone along with Woods Boone.
- Woods Boone: Theo’s father. He is a real estate lawyer who had always worked in his office. He was considered a slob at the Boone & Boone firm because of his untidiness in his office.
- April Finnemore: Theo’s best friend. April had gone through some rough times. Both parents filed for a divorce, and she had to choose which one she was going to live with. Most likely, she was going to stay with her mother, even though she didn’t want to live with anyone in her family.
- Ike Boone: Theo’s uncle. Ike was a former lawyer who had started the Boone & Boone Firm. He was a tax lawyer, who was disbarred after his did something wrong.
- Julio Pena: Theo’s friend from school. He had been living in a homeless shelter along with family, from El Salvador. Theo helped him with his English and Algebra occasionally. His cousin was a witness in the murder trial that was going on, so he asked Theo for help and advice of what to do.
- Bobby Escobar: Julio’s cousin. Bobby worked at the Waverly Creek golf course, where he witnessed a man go into the house of Mr. and Mrs. Duffy, and coming back out 10 minutes later. Although, he couldn’t go to the police because he was an illegal immigrant, and he was worried that he would be arrested and shipped back to El Salvador.
- Judge Gantry: A highly respected judge in Strattenburg, and was the judge of the Duffy murder trial. He quite frankly adored Theo, and will always do anything for him.
- Peter Duffy: Wealthy man who lived in Waverly Creek. He was the husband of Myra Duffy, and suspected of killing her. Duffy was big on golfing, and he would golf everyday at the same time.
10. SANDI reviews for Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer
I’ve enjoyed a fair amount of John Grisham books but recently learned he had the Theodore Boone series for kids. Theo, raised by parents who are both lawyers, has a fascination with the law and wants to become a lawyer himself. He dispenses advice to his classmates and even a few adults!
Grisham does a great job teaching kids about the justice system in narrative form. He introduces a crime and Theo gets involved with solving it. I thought it was very well done and I’m on to the second book.
I like a series because you get familiar characters returning. Grisham has given us entertaining characters like Woods Boone, Theo’s dad who practices real estate law which is boring to Theo, and Marcella Boone, Theo’s mom, a divorce lawyer, who repeatedly has clients in turmoil. Then there’s Ike Boone, Theo’s uncle, another lawyer who was involved in some scandal we have yet to learn more about.
I loved Richard Thomas’ narration (who doesn’t love John Boy!).
III. Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer Quotes
The best book quotes from Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham
“Girls, murder trials, secret witnesses. Life was suddenly very complicated.”
“Theodore Boone was an only child and for that reason usually had breakfast alone. His father, a busy lawyer, was in the habit of leaving early and meeting friends for coffee and gossip at the same downtown diner every morning at seven. Theo’s mother, herself a busy lawyer, had been trying to lose ten pounds for at least the past ten years, and because of this she’d convinced herself that breakfast should be nothing more than coffee with the newspaper. So he ate by himself at the kitchen table, cold cereal and orange juice, with an eye on the clock. The Boone home had clocks everywhere, clear evidence of organized people. Actually, he wasn’t completely alone. Beside his chair, his dog ate, too. Judge was a thoroughly mixed mutt whose age and breeding would always be a mystery. Theo had rescued him from near death with a last-second appearance in Animal Court two years earlier, and Judge would always be grateful. He preferred Cheerios, same as Theo, and they ate together in silence every morning. At 8:00 a.m., Theo rinsed their bowls in the sink, placed the milk and juice back in the fridge, walked to the den, and kissed his mother on the cheek. “Off to school,” he said. “Do you have lunch money?” she asked, the same question five mornings a week. “Always.”
“Most of his classmates dreamed of getting tickets to the big game or concert. Theo Boone lived for the big trials.”
“He did smile at her, though, but she did not return the smile. Her teeth were somewhere in the house.”
“Theo explained, in what he thought was perfect Spanish, that Julio needed extra help with his algebra. Evidently, she did not understand perfect Spanish because she asked Julio what Theo was talking about.”
“and as a general rule she did not call the doctor until Theo was half dead.”
“There were small ones where more private matters were handled without juries, then there was the main courtroom on the second floor where lawyers battled like gladiators and judges ruled like kings. At”
“I’ve moved you down to the floor. Things have cleared out a bit. Again, thanks for taking such an interest in our judicial system. It’s very important to good government.” With that, Judge Gantry was finished. The students thanked him. He and Mr. Mount shook hands again.”
“Hello, Jenny,” he said. She was very pretty and young and Theo was in love. He would marry Jenny tomorrow if he could, but his age and her husband complicated things. Plus, she was pregnant, and this bothered Theo, though he mentioned it to no one.”
“Ms Finney shared an office on the third floor with several other court reporters. Their software system was called Veritas. Theo had hacked into it before when he had been curious about something that happened in court. It was not a secure system because the information was available in open court. Anyone could walk into the courtroom and watch the trial. Anyone, of course, who was not confined by the rigors of middle school.”
“Repeat something enough and folks will start to believe it. Mr. Mount had always taken the position that the presumption of innocence is a joke nowadays.”
“Bring them back Monday morning to start their deliberations. This is a trial, not emergency surgery. Things aren’t that urgent.” “So what’s your plan?” “I don’t have one. But it would give us some time to think about this witness, maybe find a way to help him. I don’t know. It just seems wrong to rush to a verdict, especially a verdict that might be wrong.” “Wrong?” “Yes. I’ve watched some of the trial. I’ve watched the jurors. The”
“On one wall he’d tacked a large Twins poster with this season’s schedule. To his knowledge, he was the only Twins fan in town. Minnesota was a thousand miles away and Theo had never been there. He pulled for the team because no one else in Strattenburg did so. He felt it only fair that they have at least one fan in town.”
“Ten minutes later, Julio and Bobby Escobar eased from the shadows and saw Theo before he saw them. Bobby was very nervous and did not want to risk being seen by a policeman, so they walked to the other side of the park and found a spot on the steps of a gazebo. Theo couldn’t see his father but he was sure he was watching. He asked Bobby if he had worked that day, then went on to say that he and his father had played the Creek Course. No, Bobby had not worked,”
“It wasn’t a romance; they were too young for that. Theo did not know of a single thirteen-year-old boy in his class who admitted to having a girlfriend.”
Excerpted from Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham
Chapter 1
Theodore Boone was an only child and for that reason usually had breakfast alone. His father, a busy lawyer, was in the habit of leaving early and meeting friends for coffee and gossip at the same downtown diner every morning at seven. Theo’s mother, herself a busy lawyer, had been trying to lose ten pounds for at least the past ten years, and because of this she’d convinced herself that breakfast should be nothing more than coffee with the newspaper. So he ate by himself at the kitchen table, cold cereal and orange juice, with an eye on the clock. The Boone home had clocks everywhere, clear evidence of organized people.
Actually, he wasn’t completely alone. Beside his chair, his dog ate, too. Judge was a thoroughly mixed mutt whose age and breeding would always be a mystery. Theo had rescued him from near death with a last-second appearance in Animal Court two years earlier, and Judge would always be grateful. He preferred Cheerios, same as Theo, and they ate together in silence every morning.
At 8:00 a.m., Theo rinsed their bowls in the sink, placed the milk and juice back in the fridge, walked to the den, and kissed his mother on the cheek. “Off to school,” he said.
“Do you have lunch money?” she asked, the same question five mornings a week.
“Always.”
“And your homework is complete?”
“It’s perfect, Mom.”
“And I’ll see you when?”
“I’ll stop by the office after school.” Theo stopped by the office every day after school, without fail, but Mrs. Boone always asked.
“Be careful,” she said. “And remember to smile.” The braces on his teeth had now been in place for over two years and Theo wanted desperately to get rid of them. In the meantime, though, his mother continually reminded him to smile and make the world a happier place.
“I’m smiling, Mom.”
“Love you, Teddy.”
“Love you back.”
Theo, still smiling in spite of being called “Teddy,” flung his backpack across his shoulders, scratched Judge on the head and said good-bye, then left through the kitchen door. He hopped on his bike and was soon speeding down Mallard Lane, a narrow leafy street in the oldest section of town. He waved at Mr. Nunnery, who was already on his porch and settled in for another long day of watching what little traffic found its way into their neighborhood, and he whisked by Mrs. Goodloe at the curb without speaking because she’d lost her hearing and most of her mind as well. He did smile at her, though, but she did not return the smile. Her teeth were somewhere in the house.
It was early spring and the air was crisp and cool. Theo pedaled quickly, the wind stinging his face. Homeroom was at eight forty and he had important matters before school. He cut through a side street, darted down an alley, dodged some traffic, and ran a stop sign. This was Theo’s turf, the route he traveled every day. After four blocks the houses gave way to offices and shops and stores.
The county courthouse was the largest building in downtown Strattenburg (the post office was second, the library third). It sat majestically on the north side of Main Street, halfway between a bridge over the river and a park filled with gazebos and birdbaths and monuments to those killed in wars. Theo loved the courthouse, with its air of authority, and people hustling importantly about, and somber notices and schedules tacked to the bulletin boards. Most of all, Theo loved the courtrooms themselves. There were small ones where more private matters were handled without juries, then there was the main courtroom on the second floor where lawyers battled like gladiators and judges ruled like kings.
At the age of thirteen, Theo was still undecided about his future. One day he dreamed of being a famous trial lawyer, one who handled the biggest cases and never lost before juries. The next day he dreamed of being a great judge, noted for his wisdom and fairness. He went back and forth, changing his mind daily.
The main lobby was already busy on this Monday morning, as if the lawyers and their clients wanted an early start to the week. There was a crowd waiting by the elevator, so Theo raced up two flights of stairs and down the east wing where Family Court was held. His mother was a noted divorce lawyer, one who always represented the wife, and Theo knew this area of the building well. Since divorce trials were decided by judges, juries were not used, and since most judges preferred not to have large groups of spectators observing such sensitive matters, the courtroom was small. By its door, several lawyers huddled importantly, obviously not agreeing on much. Theo searched the hallway, then turned a corner and saw his friend.
She was sitting on one of the old wooden benches, alone, small and frail and nervous. When she saw him she smiled and put a hand over her mouth. Theo hustled over and sat next to her, very closely, knees touching. With any other girl he would have placed himself at least two feet away and prevented any chance of contact.
But April Finnemore was not just any girl. They had started prekindergarten together at the age of four at a nearby church school, and they had been close friends since they could remember. It wasn’t a romance; they were too young for that. Theo did not know of a single thirteen-year-old boy in his class who admitted to having a girlfriend. Just the opposite. They wanted nothing to do with them. And the girls felt the same way. Theo had been warned that things would change, and dramatically, but that seemed unlikely.
April was just a friend, and one in a great deal of need at the moment. Her parents were divorcing, and Theo was extremely grateful his mother was not involved with the case.
The divorce was no surprise to anyone who knew the Finnemores. April’s father was an eccentric antiques dealer and the drummer for an old rock band that still played in nightclubs and toured for weeks at a time. Her mother raised goats and made goat cheese, which she peddled around town in a converted funeral hearse, painted bright yellow. An ancient spider monkey with gray whiskers rode shotgun and munched on the cheese, which had never sold very well. Mr. Boone had once described the family as “nontraditional,” which Theo took to mean downright weird. Both her parents had been arrested on drug charges, though neither had served time.
“Are you okay?” Theo asked.
“No,” she said. “I hate being here.”
She had an older brother named August and an older sister named March, and both fled the family. August left the day after he graduated from high school. March dropped out at the age of sixteen and left town, leaving April as the only child for her parents to torment. Theo knew all of this because April told him everything. She had to. She needed someone outside of her family to confide in, and Theo was her listener.
“I don’t want to live with either one of them,” she said. It was a terrible thing to say about one’s parents, but Theo understood completely. He despised her parents for the way they treated her. He despised them for the chaos of their lives, for their neglect of April, for their cruelty to her. Theo had a long list of grudges against Mr. and Mrs. Finnemore. He would run away before being forced to live there. He did not know of a single kid in town who’d ever set foot inside the Finnemore home.
The divorce trial was in its third day, and April would soon be called to the witness stand to testify. The judge would ask her the fateful question, “April, which parent do you want to live with?”
And she did not know the answer. She had discussed it for hours with Theo, and she still did not know what to say.
The great question in Theo’s mind was, “Why did either parent want custody of April?” Each had neglected her in so many ways. He had heard many stories, but he had never repeated a single one.
“What are you going to say?” he asked.
“I’m telling the judge that I want to live with my aunt Peg in Denver.”
“I thought she said no.”
“She did.”
“Then you can’t say that.”
“What can I say, Theo?”
“My mother would say that you should choose your mother. I know she’s not your first choice, but you don’t have a first choice.”
“But the judge can do whatever he wants, right?”
“Right. If you were fourteen, you could make a binding decision. At thirteen, the judge will only consider your wishes. According to my mother, this judge almost never awards custody to the father. Play it safe. Go with your mother.”
April wore jeans, hiking boots, and a navy sweater. She rarely dressed like a girl, but her gender was never in doubt. She wiped a tear from her cheek, but managed to keep her composure. “Thanks, Theo,” she said.
“I wish I could stay.”
“And I wish I could go to school.”
They both managed a forced laugh. “I’ll be thinking about you. Be strong.”
“Thanks, Theo.”
His favorite judge was the Honorable Henry Gantry, and he entered the great man’s outer office at twenty minutes after 8:00 a.m.
“Well, good morning, Theo,” Mrs. Hardy said. She was stirring something into her coffee and preparing to begin her work.
“Morning, Mrs. Hardy,” Theo said with a smile.
“And to what do we owe this honor?” she asked. She was not quite as old as Theo’s mother, he guessed, and she was very pretty. She was Theo’s favorite of all the secretaries in the courthouse. His favorite clerk was Jenny over in Family Court.
“I need to see Judge Gantry,” he replied. “Is he in?”
“Well, yes, but he’s very busy.”
“Please. It’ll just take a minute.”
She sipped her coffee, then asked, “Does this have anything to do with the big trial tomorrow?”
“Yes, ma’am, it does. I’d like for my Government class to watch the first day of the trial, but I gotta make sure there will be enough seats.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that, Theo,” Mrs. Hardy said, frowning and shaking her head. “We’re expecting an overflow crowd. Seating will be tight.”
“Can I talk to the judge?”
“How many are in your class?”
“Sixteen. I thought maybe we could sit in the balcony.”
She was still frowning as she picked up the phone and pushed a button. She waited for a second, then said, “Yes, Judge, Theodore Boone is here and would like to see you. I told him you are very busy.” She listened some more, then put down the phone. “Hurry,” she said, pointing to the judge’s door.
Seconds later, Theo stood before the biggest desk in town, a desk covered with all sorts of papers and files and thick binders, a desk that symbolized the enormous power held by Judge Henry Gantry, who, at that moment, was not smiling. In fact, Theo was certain the judge had not cracked a smile since he’d interrupted his work. Theo, though, was pressing hard with a prolonged flash of metal from ear to ear.
“State your case,” Judge Gantry said. Theo had heard him issue this command on many occasions. He’d seen lawyers, good lawyers, rise and stutter and search for words while Judge Gantry scowled down from the bench. He wasn’t scowling now, nor was he wearing his black robe, but he was still intimidating. As Theo cleared his throat, he saw an unmistakable twinkle in his friend’s eye.
“Yes, sir, well, my Government teacher is Mr. Mount, and Mr. Mount thinks we might get approval from the principal for an all-day field trip to watch the opening of the trial tomorrow.” Theo paused, took a deep breath, told himself again to speak clearly, slowly, forcefully, like all great trial lawyers. “But, we need guaranteed seats. I was thinking we could sit in the balcony.”
“Oh, you were?”
“Yes, sir.”
“How many?”
“Sixteen, plus Mr. Mount.”
The judge picked up a file, opened it, and began reading as if he’d suddenly forgotten about Theo standing at attention across the desk. Theo waited for an awkward fifteen seconds. Then the judge abruptly said, “Seventeen seats, front balcony, left side. I’ll tell the bailiff to seat you at ten minutes before nine, tomorrow. I expect perfect behavior.”
“No problem, sir.”
“I’ll have Mrs. Hardy e-mail a note to your principal.”
“Thanks, Judge.”
“You can go now, Theo. Sorry to be so busy.”
“No problem, sir.”
Theo was scurrying toward the door when the judge said, “Say, Theo. Do you think Mr. Duffy is guilty?”
Theo stopped, turned around and without hesitating responded, “He’s presumed innocent.”
“Got that. But what’s your opinion as to his guilt?”
“I think he did it.”
The judge nodded slightly but gave no indication of whether he agreed.
“What about you?” Theo asked.
Finally, a smile. “I’m a fair and impartial referee, Theo. I have no preconceived notions of guilt or innocence.”
“That’s what I thought you’d say.”
“See you tomorrow.” Theo cracked the door and hustled out.
Mrs. Hardy was on her feet, hands on hips, staring down two flustered lawyers who were demanding to see the judge. All three clammed up when Theo walked out of Judge Gantry’s office. He smiled at Mrs. Hardy as he walked hurriedly by. “Thanks,” he said as he opened the door and disappeared.
….
Note: Above are quotes and excerpts from the book “Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham”. If you find it interesting and useful, don’t forget to buy paper books to support the Author and Publisher!
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