Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer

Reading Check and Short Answer Questions on key points are designed for guided reading assignments, in-class review, formative assessment, quizzes, and more.

CHAPTERS 1-5

Reading Check

1. What is Theo’s dog’s name?

2. What type of law does Theo’s mother practice?

3. On what subject does Theo advise Sandy Coe?

4. What is the name of Mr. Duffy’s attorney?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why does Theo go to see Judge Gantry before school? What is the result of this meeting?

2. Why does Theo’s father speak to Judge Gantry about Theo? How does Theo know what the two spoke about?

3. How is Theo able to tell at the end of the school day that his mother had to go to court?

4. Why can’t Ike practice law anymore? Why does Theo dislike his conversations with his uncle?

Paired Resource

“Persuasion at Trial: Opening Statements”

• This description from the National Legal Research Group details the parts of an opening statement for a legal case.
• This information connects to the theme of Understanding What Justice Means.
• Which features of a good opening statement represented in this article did you see in those given by Jack Hogan and Clifford Nance?

“Fields of Law”

• The Law School Admission Council lists and briefly describes the many types of law one can practice.
• Which fields of law do you recognize? Which ones are surprising? What might we infer about the characters based on their field of law?

CHAPTERS 6-12

Reading Check

1. Who found the body of Myra Duffy?

2. Where do the Boones volunteer on Tuesdays?

3. What excuse does Theo try to use to stay home from school?

4. What does Theo use to keep up with the parts of the trial he is missing?

5. Where does Theo argue a case on Hallie’s behalf?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. How does Theo initially evaluate the prosecution’s case?

2. Why is Theo frustrated after watching opening arguments?

3. What does Julio tell Theo about his cousin?

4. What does Julio worry will happen if his cousin testifies?

5. Why doesn’t Theo sleep well? What steps does he take before school the next morning to try to resolve the problem?

Paired Resource

“John Grisham Tackles Writing Suspense for Kids”

• This NPR article explores what it was like for Grisham to build suspense in a novel for middle graders. (Students might listen to the 7-minute audio version while following along.)
• Grisham’s ideas on suspense and plotting connect to the theme of The Sense of Satisfaction in Helping Others.
• How have you already seen Grisham build suspense in this novel? Is it effective?

“poem where no one is deported”

• This poem by José Olivarez regards his mother’s undocumented status.
• Shared themes include Understanding What Justice Means and Family as a Support System.
• How does Olivarez’s poem speak to Julio’s fear about his cousin? What additional information might it give us about the stakes of his testimony?

CHAPTERS 13-17

Reading Check

1. Which language does Ike suggest Theo learn?

2. What item does Julio bring to Theo?

3. What reason does Theo give his mother about his not sleeping well?

4. To which day does the judge delay the trial?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. What does Ike recommend that Theo do about his witness?

2. Why might Theo be held in contempt of court?

3. Why is Theo reluctant to enter the courthouse?

4. Why don’t defendants usually take the stand in trials?

CHAPTERS 18-22

Reading Check

1. For whom is Ike looking for a house?

2. Who watches Woods and Theo while they are at the golf course?

3. Who visits Boone & Boone late at night?

4. What career does Theo start to think of pursuing as a result of this case?

Short Answer

Answer each question in at least 1 complete sentence. Incorporate details from the text to support your response.

1. Why do Woods and Theo go to the golf course in Waverly Creek?

2. Why do Julio and Bobby stay at Theo’s house?

3. How is the case decided and why?

4. Why does the secretary have Theo sit down in the office when he arrives at school on Monday?

Recommended Next Reads 

The Lock Artist by Steve Hamilton

• This young adult crime novel features an 18-year-old highly skilled lockpick.
• Shared themes include Understanding What Justice Means.
• Shared topics include crime, the legal system, and skilled young adults.
• The Lock Artist on SuperSummary

Ali Cross by James Patterson

• This middle grade novel centers on a middle school boy following in the footsteps of his detective father.
• Shared themes include Family as Support System.
• Shared topics include justice, crime, the legal system, and determining truth.
• Ali Cross on SuperSummary