Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Mistrial”

In this activity, students will conduct a mock trial in which they play out Pete Duffy’s second trial, touching on the theme of Understanding What Justice Means.

Is Pete Duffy guilty? Can the prosecution show that he is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt? Using the time allocated by your teacher and the facts illuminated in Theodore Boone, Kid Lawyer, prepare for the trial.

Part A

Separate into two groups: prosecution and defense. Each group should decide who will act as lawyers and witnesses. Your teacher will be your judge and jury. Looking at how the initial trial played out in Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer, consider the testimonies given by both the prosecution and the defense’s witnesses as well as the new evidence that will be presented by Bobby.

• Provide the other side a witness list so that they can prepare short cross examinations of no more than 5 questions.
• When the trial starts, each witness should give their testimony, guided by their side’s lawyers.
• Witnesses may make some details up about what they were doing the day of the murder or about their life, so long as these details correspond with the content of the novel.
• One lawyer from each side will give an opening statement, and a different lawyer from each side should give the closing argument.

Part B

After trial, respond to the following questions in your notes or a reading journal:

• What was difficult for each side? Did you feel as though your case was strong or weak? Why?
• For the prosecution, how difficult was it to have the burden of proving someone’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt?
• For the defense, how difficult was it defending someone you may have thought was guilty?
• How does acting out a trial affect your sense of justice? Do you think that the American legal system is an adequate way to carry out justice? Why or why not?
• How did the Boone family and Judge Gantry feel about the outcome of the first trial? In their view, to what extent was justice served?

Teaching Suggestion: While it seems clear that Pete Duffy is guilty by the end of the novel, students should focus on the tenet of the American legal system of innocence until proven guilty. Ultimately, the goal of the trial is to reflect on the nuances of the justice system and the importance of evidence as conveyed by text details. Students might work as teams to script portions of the trial or create an outline that will assist in lines of questioning.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who may be reluctant or unable to speak in front of the class might serve as court reporters or members of the jury.

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. For a young person, Theo Boone is very knowledgeable about the law.

• How does Theo’s knowledge of the law serve the reader throughout the novel? (topic sentence)
• What are 3 examples of Theo using his legal knowledge that also help the reader? Why are these moments important?
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, summarize how Theo’s knowledge of the law helps to develop the theme Understanding What Justice Means.

2. Theo’s parents emphasize how important it is that he doesn’t skip school to attend the trial.

• How does Theo’s view of education compare with his parents’ view? (topic sentence)
• Analyze and discuss 3 situations in the text in which Theo’s education is mentioned or apparent. How does his education ultimately prove useful to him?
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, evaluate with rationale whether school or “real world” experiences are more important to Theo’s learning process.

3. Theo is plagued by his own presumption that Pete Duffy is guilty from the start, knowing that he should believe in the principle of innocent until proven guilty.

• How does the novel characterize the line between innocence and guilt? (topic sentence)
• What other circumstances show the complexities of innocence and guilt? Analyze and discuss 3 examples.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, comment on the need for foundational beliefs (such as the principle of innocent until proven guilty) in any legal system.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Theo is close with his parents; for example, he bikes to their law firm every day after school and volunteers in the soup kitchen with them. How does this case challenge his relationship with his parents? How does their relationship grow as a result? Write an essay in which you analyze the development of Theo’s relationship with both his parents. Use at least 3 examples from the text to support your argument and connect at least one point to the theme of Family as a Support System.

2. Theo learns that justice can have a complex meaning in this novel when he confronts the idea that Pete Duffy might get away with murder. How does this realization conflict with his initial view of the justice system? How does it help him to grow as a person interested in the concept of law? Write an essay in which you explore how Grisham develops a deeper understanding of justice that incorporates both the legal process and human relationships. Use at least 3 examples from the text to support your argument.

3. The novel conveys a strong sense of helpfulness through the actions of the characters. How do Theo and his parents demonstrate their interest in helping others? What does this tell us about Theo and his family? How does Grisham use the idea of helping others to introduce more complex issues? Write an essay in which you explore how the novel demonstrates The Sense of Satisfaction in Helping Others. Analyze and discuss at least 3 examples from the text to support your thoughts.

Multiple Choice and Long Answer Questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, exams, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. What does Theo’s decision to call the trial “the big game” (Chapter 5) tell us about him?

A) It shows that Theo is obsessed with sports.

B) It shows that Theo does not take the trial seriously.

C) It shows that Theo has spent a lot of time with Clifford Nance.

D) It shows that Theo is passionate about the law.

2. What effect does Jack Hogan hope to have on the jury by repeating that Duffy “planned very well” (Chapter 5)?

A) He wants the jury to know that Duffy is very organized.

B) He wants the jury to keep thinking about Duffy’s guilt.

C) He wants the jury to realize that there is more to the case than meets the eye.

D) He wants the jury to suspect that Duffy would kill again if given the chance.

3. What does the scene with Sandy Coe illustrate about how peers view Theo?

A) The scene with Sandy shows that peers think of Theo as a legal resource.

B) The scene with Sandy shows that peers only want to use Theo for his knowledge.

C) The scene with Sandy shows that Theo has trouble keeping friends.

D) The scene with Sandy shows that Theo is friends with every lawyer in town.

4. Why might Ike not want Theo to practice law?

A) Ike thinks that there are more lucrative careers than being a lawyer.

B) Ike worries that Theo will be just like his parents.

C) Ike himself has had a difficult relationship with the legal system.

D) Ike hopes that Theo will do something he loves.

5. Which of the following describes the tone of the trial each time Theo sees Omar Cheepe?

A) Light

B) Foreboding

C) Resolute

D) Lucky

6. Why do Marcella and Woods Boone volunteer at the soup kitchen on Tuesdays?

A) They are required to do so in order to keep their legal practice.

B) They want Theo to see them outside of their law firm.

C) They often find clients there.

D) They think it is important to give back to the community.

7. Which of the following best describes how Theo’s relationship with his uncle changes over the course of this novel?

A) Theo goes from not wanting to spend time with his uncle to being closer to him.

B) Theo is initially close with his uncle but distances himself once he realizes what Ike has done.

C) Theo’s relationship with his uncle does not change.

D) Theo is already close with his uncle and continues to get closer to him as they work to save Julio’s cousin.

8. Which of the following moments best exemplifies how Theo’s understanding of justice is challenged by this case?

A) When April reveals that she told the judge that she does not want to live with either of her parents

B) When Theo and his parents meet with Judge Gantry

C) When Sandy explains that his parents are not going to lose their house

D) When Ike discusses how difficult it can be to prove that Duffy is guilty

9. How does handling the case alone distance Theo from his parents?

A) Theo spends more time at the soup kitchen on days his parents do not volunteer.

B) Theo relies on Ike to help him rather than going to his parents.

C) Theo starts to lie to his parents because he feels like he can’t tell them about Bobby.

D) Theo retreats from the legal system, not wanting to spend time at his parents’ law practice.

10.  What does Theo’s reluctance to enter the courthouse reveal about the toll his knowledge about Bobby is taking on him?

A) His reluctance illustrates how he is ready to give up on practicing law because he no longer believes that justice can be found in the courtroom.

B) His reluctance illustrates his complicated feelings about the legal system that he must work through over the course of the case.

C) His reluctance illustrates that he is not fully prepared to talk to Judge Gantry because he would like to investigate the case further.

D) His reluctance illustrates that he is becoming independent from his parents.

11. Which adjective best describes how the Boones view Judge Gantry?

A) Disloyal

B) Unreliable

C) Fair

D) Corrupt

12. What does justice mean to the Boone family?

A) It means ensuring that Bobby testifies while feeling secure and unthreatened.

B) It means sending Pete Duffy to jail no matter the cost.

C) It means bribing the judge so that he makes the right decision.

D) It means charging Bobby for their services while also encouraging him to testify.

13. Why does Theo want to become a judge at the end of the novel?

A) He sees that lawyers don’t matter as individuals; only judges make real decisions.

B) He sees that the justice system is corrupt and only judges can fix it.

C) He sees that judges make decisions that affect people’s lives, as in April’s family’s case.

D) He sees that Judge Gantry is able to make difficult decisions while also being knowledgeable about the law.

14. How does Theo’s appreciation for his Spanish class serve as foreshadowing?

A) He realizes that his uncle is dating his Spanish teacher.

B) He uses Spanish to communicate with Julio and Bobby.

C) Ike remarks that it will be useful when Theo goes to law school.

D) Ike suggests that he write a letter in Spanish, making a break in the case.

15. Which of the following is an example of how Theo’s family walks the line between legal and illegal activity?

A) They meet with Judge Gantry in secret.

B) They help out at the soup kitchen.

C) They stay in contact with a disbarred lawyer.

D) They take on clients for free.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. How does Grisham build tension in this novel? Give an example of two tense moments and explain their significance.

2. Does Theo’s life return to normal at the end of the novel? Why or why not?