The Litigators / John Grisham / 385 pgs.

Law firm partners Oscar Finley and Wally Figg see a chance for huge financial gain when they learn of a pending class action lawsuit against the makers of Krayoxx, a popular cholesterol-reducing drug suspected of causing heart attacks.

This was my first John Grisham book, and even though it was about the dry subject of product liability; I was still thoroughly entertained.  The main characters Finley and Figg are the stereotypical "ambulance chasers" who do some real slimy underhanded things; like play divorcing couples off each other to string out the fight and thus rack up more court and client fees.  This makes it hard to like the characters and want to see them succeed against the "big, bad corporation".  However, this makes this novel different and even humorous at times; and I think I enjoyed this version better than the sappy, inspirational David vs. Goliath story. 

Defending Jacob / William Landay / 421 pgs.

Andy Barber has been an assistant district attorney in his suburban Massachusetts county for more than twenty years. When a shocking crime shatters their New England town, Andy is blindsided by what happens next: his fourteen-year-old son is charged with the murder of a fellow student. As the crisis reveals how little a father knows about his son, Andy will face a trial of his own-- between loyalty and justice, between truth and allegation, between a past he's tried to bury and a future he cannot conceive.

How far would you go and what would you do for your child?  What is your responsibly to society if you know that a loved one has a mental condition that requires monitoring?  This book delves into the issues of nature vs. nurture, genetics, loyalty and ethics.  It alternates between the courtroom trial and the Barber's family history.  The courtroom dialog style makes this a quick read, and the plot line brings up some ideas to really make you think.  Highly recommended. 

Theodore Boone, Kid Lawyer / John Grisham / 263 Pages

Theodore Boone is not your average 13-year-old.  He wants to be a lawyer when he's an adult.  His parents and other family members are lawyers, and his classmates come to him for advice when they are having problems.  After Theodore finds out he has privileged information regarding the biggest murder trial the town has seen in years, what will he do?  Protect his friends, or rely on his parents for help with something too big to handle?

I found this book to be entertaining enough to keep my attention, and I think it's great how aspects of the law and how trials are conducted are explained so that children can understand it.