Grisham, J. (2010). Theodore Boone: Kid lawyer. New York: Dutton Children’s Books.
Genres: Mystery, Murder, Legal Drama
Summary: Theodore Boone, Theo to his friends, is the son of two attorneys and considers the courthouse his second home. A murder trial has begun; it’s the biggest case to hit Strattenburg in sixty years. Theo resents having to miss it because he’s just a kid and goes to middle school. The defense is strong; prosecution has no evidence to convict. But then, Theo’s friend Julio confides in him: his cousin is a witness to the murder, and his testimony could have a huge impact on the outcome of the trial, but is afraid to come forward because he’s in the country illegally. Can Theo help solve the murder and keep his friend’s cousin safe too?
Review: While the story is interesting, the characters aren’t relatable, and the ending falls flat. John Grisham may be a best-selling author, but he should either do more research on youth and writing for a juvenile audience, or stick to writing novels for adults.
Notes:
From the Bestselling author John Grisham, known for his legal thrillers.
This is the first of the Theodore Boone Series. The second, Theodore Boone: The Abduction, was released June 2011, and a third is suspected to arrive on the scene summer 2012.
Reviews: Booklist Starred, Publisher's Weekly Starred, School Library Journal, Wilson’s
It’s the start of summer and 7 year old Alicia Bartlett’s body has been found in the woods behind her neighborhood. Twelve year old Jason Dorrant is the last one besides her killer to have seen Alicia alive. Due to Alicia’s age and the fact that the Senator’s granddaughter was one of her classmates the case is a high profile one. Pressure is on the police to solve this murder and solve it fast.
Jason is questioned by the police and becomes the prime suspect for the murder. The police need evidence, but with the mounting pressure, time is of the essence. What they really need is a confession. Enter Trent. Trent is a small town detective, but more than that, he’s an Interrogator. He’s the best at what he does and if there is a confession to be had, Trent will get it. As Trent interrogates Jason the reader begins to realize that Trent is not entirely convinced of Jason's guilt. Is he after the truth or is he after a confession?
The stunning conclusion to this book will leave readers thinking about it for a long time to come.
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The Westing Game
By Ellen Raskin, 1978
182 p.
RL: 5+
IL: 10-13 years old
Awards: Newbery Award, ALA Notable Children’s Book, Banta Literary Award, Horn Book Award, Library of Congress Children’s Book.
Reviews: Booklist Starred, School Library Journal, Wilson’s. On California’s Recommended Reading List grades 6-8
The Westing Game begins with 16 people from different walks of life who move into the new Sunset Towers high rise apartments. They don’t realize it, but they have all been hand selected to move in. Sunset Towers is next door to the Westing Mansion which is owned by Sam Westing, a rich industrialist. He is also the owner of the Sunset Towers.
On Halloween one tenant, Turtle, is dared to go into the Westing Mansion, where she sees a dead body. The next day she reads an obituary for Sam Westing and she- along with 15 other people, many who are residents of Sunset Towers- find out that they are heirs to the Westing Estate. At the reading of the Will they find out that Sam Westing believed he was murdered and that one of the heirs is the murderer. At the instructions of the will, the heirs are paired up, given $10,000 and 4 clues and asked to play a game to solve they mystery of Sam’s murder. Whichever figures out who the murderer is will inherit Sam’s estate of 200 million dollars.
From here the reader is taken on adventure where things are not always what they seem. Each team speeds along, interpreting their clues while trying to find out what clues the others have received. This is a great book for readers who like puzzles and well developed characters. It works particularly well in literature circles or as a classroom novel.
Byars, B. (1994). The dark stairs: A Herculeah Jones mystery. New York: Viking.
Genres: Murder, Mystery
Summary: Thirteen-year-old Herculeah Jones is as strong and bold as her name. Endlessly curious, she recruits her hesitant and bumbling neighbor (a kid named Meat) to investigate the old Dead Oaks mansion where an unsolved murder took place long ago. How could she resist being involved? Her father is a police officer, and her mother works as a private eye; solving crimes is in her blood.
Herculeah’s fast-paced adventures include a monstrous man, hidden staircases, narrow escapes, and chilling discoveries. The author entertains her young readers with just the right balance of humor and suspense. For example, Herculeah has a sixth sense: whenever she’s in danger, her hair frizzes out of control. Young readers will enjoy quirky characters and juvenile antics, but also face complex dilemmas like rights vs. responsibility.
Notes:
First of seven books in the Herculeah Jones Mystery Series.
Betsy Byars has won numerous awards for other novels ( not Herculeah Jones), including ALA Notable Books, Booklist Editor’s Choice, a National Book Award, and the 1971 Newbery Medal.