I love some of the old books of John Grisham’s like The Chamber and The Broker and The Firm. Theodore Boone was a bit of a different song for him to try on. A children’s detective story – much like the Japanese have Conan.

Much like any kid’s book – there’s an attention to detail when it comes to family life, school, a good moral example and a case that is not too gory but difficult enough to keep people interested.

And Grisham is WELL established in writing lawyering cases but I did have to raise my eyebrow a few times how this kid is the best lawyer in the USA and how all the judges love him and want him in their court room.

Theodore is his class courtroom reporter. He also finds a witness who can put the accused at the crime scene when the murder was committed and a pair of discarded golf gloves that the prosecution, defence and police do not know about. With the help of his ex-lawyer uncle and his parents, there is a problem owing to the his witness is an illegal immigrant, Theodore goes to the trial judge. Yes, the trial judge is a family friend. Theodore is a regular visitor to his chambers. Theodore has his own “legal practice” in the Animal Court.

It’s a kiddy book, one of seven I suppose but I found it a bit of a let down – the cases were solved too quickly and too many things just seemed to fall on a platter.