The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Grisham, John. Theodore Boone Kid Lawyer. Puffin Books, 2010.

Theodore Boone Kid Lawyer is a middle grade novel by John Grisham, and it centers around the character of Theo Boone who is the protagonist. Theo Boone is an only child who lives with his parents, Marcela and Woods Boone, who are both lawyers. His mother is a divorce lawyer, and his father is a real estate lawyer. There are notable differences between the two lawyers as his mother is much more organized than his father is, and his mother has to dress more professionally than his father does because professional dress is required more of women than of men. Mrs. Boone works behind closed doors frequently with women who are going through bad divorces, and as such, Theo occasionally hears women cry in her office. She also volunteers her time helping domestic abuse victims, and the whole family volunteers at a homeless shelter. Theo has a good relationship with both of his parents, but he is definitely proud of the work his mother does.

Theo believes he is likely the only kid in his school who has his own law office. This is in the building where his parents’ law practice, Boone & Boone, is located. His uncle, Ike, used to be a lawyer there as well, but he was disbarred for a reason that Theo does not know. Theo’s parents do not speak to Ike frequently, but they make Theo go and visit him often because they say that family is important. Theo is passionate about the law, and the most important trial he can remember is happening the week the novel opens. A man, Mr. Duffy, has been accused of murdering his wife. The prosecutors believe he went golfing on Waverly Golf Course, adjacent to his property, on the day of the murder, slipped away to strangle his wife, and then went back to play golf. Theo does not want to believe Mr. Duffy is guilty because he knows defendants are supposed to be assumed innocent until proven guilty, but he still believes in Mr. Duffy’s guilt.

Theo stops by Judge Gantry’s office who will be presiding over the Duffy trial, and he asks him if his class can get seats for the opening day of the trial. The judge, who Theo greatly respects, agrees to this, and Theo’s class goes to see the trial. Throughout the day they discuss whether they believe Mr. Duffy is guilty or innocent. Theo is torn because he believes Mr. Duffy is innocent, but he does not believe that this is being proven.

Throughout the course of the book, numerous friends come to Theo for help. One of these is a girl named Hallie whose dog has been confiscated after it ran away. He helps her in Animal Court. Another boy, Sandy, asks Theo what options his parents have because they are about to lose their house. Theo explains mortgages, foreclosure, and bankruptcy, and he tells Sandy that his parents’ only option will be to declare bankruptcy, and he gives him information about that. Sandy’s family is able to keep their house because of this advice.

Other students also ask for help as does Julio, a boy Theo knows from the homeless shelter where his family volunteers. Julio tells Theo that his cousin works at Waverly Golf Course where Mr. Duffy was golfing on the day of the murder. He tells Theo that his cousin, who later is revealed to be named Bobby, was on his break and he saw a man who looked like Mr. Duffy drive up to the house, take off his shoes, put on an extra glove, and go in the house. The man came out shortly, looked around, threw out the gloves and continued to play golf. Bobby does not want to tell the authorities because he is an illegal immigrant who could be deported if the authorities find him. His family in El Salvador is dependent upon the money Bobby makes. Theo promises confidentiality.

Theo knows how seriously his parents take their responsibility as lawyers, and he is afraid that if he tells them what he knows, they will go instantly to the judge. Therefore, he asks Uncle Ike for advice. Ike considers the options and ultimately tells Theo that it is probably best not to share what he knows so Bobby does not get into trouble. Theo agrees, but he does not feel right about it. Julio visits Theo again and gives Theo the gloves that the murderer threw out at the golf course, and again he says that his cousin will not come forward.

Theo shares this information with his uncle who decides that they need to get Theo’s parents involved. Theo is grateful for this. His parents work behind the scenes to get Julio’s family an apartment and make plans to sponsor Bobby so he can get legal papers. Theo meets up with Bobby, and he tells Bobby that his parents can help him so he is not always so afraid of the police and deportation. Bobby agrees to tell the judge what he knows if he is granted immunity.

The Boones explain all they know to the judge. He decides to grant a mistrial so that the evidence can be brought forward in a new trial. He announces this on Monday which was supposed to be the day of closing arguments. Cheepe, a man described as a thug, has kept his eyes on Theo for days, and Theo knows that Cheepe knows he is involved in the mistrial. The man almost comes up to Theo as Theo leaves the courthouse. Theo plans to go back to school to talk to his friend, April, whose parents’ custody battle is supposed to be decided the next day. When he gets back to school, one of the office workers asks him a legal question.