Critical thinking question "Theodore Boone"

Theodore Boone: The Abduction

By John Grisham

            Theodore Boone: The Abduction by John Grisham is about a very clever 13 year old sleuth named Theo, whose friend April goes missing in the middle of the night.  The police suspect Jack Leeper, April’s uncle who was sentenced to life in prison for kidnapping ten years earlier and has escaped and is possibly in the Strattenburg area, but he is nowhere to be found.  Even more worrying is that April, who has felt sorry for her uncle, has been writing to him.  April is not a very typical girl.  She comes from a strange family, where it is not unusual for one parent to leave town for weeks.  The last time that Theo talks to April before the abduction, she has locked all the doors and windows, scared of being home alone.  This baffles the police as there was no sign of a break in.  Theo knows he needs to take the lead.

            People in the small town of Strattenburg start to fear the worst.  Because of this, Theo takes it upon himself to find April.  The police are not making progress, so Theo puts together a search party, in hopes of at least getting some information.  Most people lose hope and this leaves Theo and only a few others to continue the search.  Theo is earning respect as a star investigator and legal expert.  Theo uses his vast legal knowledge (his parents are both lawyers) and his determination with few leads, to find his best friend and get her back safely.  It is a long journey for Theo but he never gives up.

            Theo’s character traits drive the story to its’ ultimate end.  He is smart, but nerdy, respectful of his parents and friends, but not afraid to speak up when he feels he should.  In a memorable scene, Theo is berated by a police officer who tells him that he cannot post “Missing” posters on utility poles.  When Theo politely points out that town law does not permit such postings, the officer tells him that he does not like his attitude.  Theo responds, “Well, sir, there’s nothing wrong with my attitude.  And, even if I had a bad attitude, it’s not against the law.”  Theo, with great intelligence, loyalty, conviction and legal knowledge ultimately chases down the truth to save April.