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gwenoliver's review
3.0
This book was okay. Not a favorite, but not bad. There were some semi-unresolved issues at the end, and although it is a series, it still irritated me. I thought that not enough time was spent explaining certain situations, and there were also some minor problems that Theo ran into that I found unnecessary. It wasn't great, but I think that 5th, 6th, and 7th graders would probably enjoy it.
pmelchior's review against another edition
3.0
This is a kids' book, it reads like a kids' book, and it has lessons like a book for youngsters. I'd recommend it for a 10- to12-year old in an instant, but it is not a kid/adult combo in the same way others (Harry Potter, Hunger Games, etc.) might be. It's a 21st century Hardy Boys.
bkowalczik's review
3.0
Enjoyed this story of thirteen-year-old son of two lawyers who consults with teens his age (free, of course) and helps keep a murderer from going free.
My beef with this books is a big one though.
Grisham intimates that one of the characters, who is an illegal immigrant, will somehow be granted immunity by finding a sponsor here in the states.
WHY DO YOU THINK Obama's deferring of immigrants brought here as children illegally has struck a chord among so many? BECAUSE IT OFFERS A GLIMMER OF HOPE that they can come out of the shadows.
Grisham has done a disservice by implying that there is any type of hope for legal status for such children since 9/11. I think everyone in this country needs to come to grips with what a tough situation we have placed these young people in - even if his plot progression suffers.
My beef with this books is a big one though.
Grisham intimates that one of the characters, who is an illegal immigrant, will somehow be granted immunity by finding a sponsor here in the states.
WHY DO YOU THINK Obama's deferring of immigrants brought here as children illegally has struck a chord among so many? BECAUSE IT OFFERS A GLIMMER OF HOPE that they can come out of the shadows.
Grisham has done a disservice by implying that there is any type of hope for legal status for such children since 9/11. I think everyone in this country needs to come to grips with what a tough situation we have placed these young people in - even if his plot progression suffers.
rebeccala's review
3.0
Fun introduction to some legal/courtroom/social justice ideas for kids. I think if I were a 6th grader I'd have given it 5 stars. I'll probably read some more in the series.
texassteph's review
3.0
I didn't realize this was a Young Adult book when I picked it up at an airport. That that its a bad thing, I do read YA but it took a few chapters to understand why the writing was different than the usual Grisham style.
The thing that kept this from being 4 stars was that a couple of the story lines were not tied up, in any way. I see now that there is a sequel out and I assume these story lines will transfer over to that book but I would have much rather had everything tied up in this book and the next book pick up with a new story line but the same characters.
The thing that kept this from being 4 stars was that a couple of the story lines were not tied up, in any way. I see now that there is a sequel out and I assume these story lines will transfer over to that book but I would have much rather had everything tied up in this book and the next book pick up with a new story line but the same characters.
chryscurl's review
2.0
I know this is meant for teenagers but to be honest I think maybe the 9-12 market is a better fit, and even then I feel like Grisham has underestimated his audience. It's an interesting concept, and could have been so much fun, but it feels over simplified in places and full of clichés. The characters were pretty one dimensional, and the ending was really irritating.
This felt too much like an old fashioned Hardy Boys book, and not modern or complex enough for the young readers that would be interested in the subject matter.
This felt too much like an old fashioned Hardy Boys book, and not modern or complex enough for the young readers that would be interested in the subject matter.
bbrien's review
3.0
I enjoyed this book, found it an easy read. Some parts were a bit too like a text book, and Theodore came off a little wooden as he explained aspects of law to his friends. Also, Theo's home life seemed strange... the family always ate dinner at 7, his mom - a busy divorce lawyer - made him breakfast every day, while his dad - a tax lawyer - left the house early, and no one ever seemed to walk the dog.