John Grisham's new thriller raises the bar for kids' lit

By Carol Memmott, USA TODAY

Contemporary lit for young readers has its icons: Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Artemis Fowl.

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  Theodore Boone: The Abduction is John Grisham's latest foray into literature for young readers.

Theodore Boone: The Abduction is John Grisham's latest foray into literature for young readers.

Make way for the new kid on the block. With The Abduction, his second novel about teen detective Theodore Boone (on sale Tuesday), John Grisham continues to carve out his own niche in this competitive genre.

Last year's Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer, about a 13-year-old boy who solves crimes and dreams of practicing law, was a whopping success.

The Abduction closes the case on just how effectively Grisham can write for the youth market.

In this novel, as in the first, Grisham addresses tough subjects without talking down to kids: child neglect, drug abuse, alcoholism and the apparent abduction of Theo's best friend, April.

While the police chase down their prime suspect, a prison escapee, Theo and his peer posse cruise the streets of their small town on bicycles handing out fliers.

About the book

Theodore Boone: The Abduction
* * * 1/2 out of four
By John Grisham
Dutton, 217 pp., $16.99

Theo is a terrific character, an everyman kind of kid. He's smart but nerdy, respectful of his parents and pals, but not afraid to speak up when he feels he should.

Order in the court!

Theodore Boone & the Thrill of Rights, an interactive theatrical bus tour starring The Story Pirates, a celebrated children?s theater group, will visit 20 cities Sept. 3-Oct. 6. Launch event: the Decatur Book Festival in Atlanta, Ga. The ?legal comedy? takes place in a court room setting with Theo acting as his own attorney when he?s put on trial for stealing the Bill of Rights. Go to www.theodoreboone.com for a full schedule.

In a priceless scene, Theo is berated by a police officer who tells him that he can't post "missing" posters on utility poles. When Theo politely points out that town law does indeed permit such postings, the officer tells him that he doesn't like his attitude.

Theo's response: "Well, sir, there's nothing wrong with my attitude. And, even if I had a bad attitude, it's not against the law."

The Abduction is all about the precocious and clever Theo, but Grisham also writes wonderful descriptions of the book's minor characters. April's deadbeat dad is in a "ragtag band of middle-aged losers," and her mother "was taking pills and losing her mind." A "river rat" named Buster Shell, Grisham writes, spent his time "drinking cheap beer and playing nickel-and-dime poker."

Last but not least, Theo's loving parents, Woods and Marcella, are what every kid dreams of. His Chinese-food-eating dog, Judge, rounds out the happy family.

There are many positive messages wrapped in this entertaining story that appeals to the kid in all of us.

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