(3) YA During a three-day deposition, Nate delivers a sworn statement to the prosecution about how and why his best friend, Cam, stabbed him. The stylistically complex narrative (unfolding through letters and other evidence as well as Nate's first-person account) spurs readers' consideration of issues of faith, sexuality, and the evolving and sometimes volatile nature of friendships.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(3) YA Teenagers Ryan and Dalila are star-crossed from the start: he is a self-proclaimed bad boy from Texas, and she's the studious daughter of a powerful attorney in Mexico. After a chance meeting at a concert, their lives unexpectedly intertwine and it doesn't take long for sparks to fly. This intense romance is told from the passionate protagonists' alternating perspectives.

Reviewer: Katie Darrin

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Alison Jay. Hannigan's lively picture-book biography of Belva Lockwood (1830–1917) focuses on Lockwood's lifelong fight against injustice, especially toward women. She became the first woman to argue before the Supreme Court and run for president, even before women had the right to vote. Hannigan's liberal quoting of her subject brings Lockwood's story to life, as do Jay's period-reminiscent crackled oil-paint illustrations. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Nancy Zhang. Krull depicts Ginsburg as a smart, strong, independent woman, whose mother's influence has always stayed with her. Ginsburg's accomplishments and famous dissents are highlighted; large, bold statements drive home Krull's themes. The illustrations' mix of traditional and digital techniques at times lend the characters an unfortunate, out-of-place plastic quality. Explanatory pieces on the Supreme Court and Ginsburg's most famous rulings are appended. Timeline. Bib.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) YA In this adaptation of his popular adult title, Stevenson chronicles his early career as a lawyer fighting for prisoner rights in the South. While the moving story of a man's fight against an unjustified death sentence focuses this informative book, interspersed vignettes of Stevenson's work with teens facing life sentences are equally powerful. This engaging, eye-opening read is likely to inspire further education and activism. Ind.

Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Sarah Green. This admiring portrait of Elizabeth Warren provides a strong introduction to the events that have shaped her life and political career. Beginning with child Elizabeth's family's financial difficulties, Wood describes the tenacity and burgeoning consciousness of inequities throughout Warren's work as a young mother, teacher, lawyer, and finally a U.S. senator. Green's bright, cheerful art portrays refreshing diversity among the background figures. An author's note is appended. Bib.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 4-6 With Kathleen Krull. This adaptation of the same-titled adult book is a clear, lively, well-documented look at the Supreme Court Justice's life, work, and portrayal in popular culture. Beginning with her vigorous 2013 dissent of the Voting Rights Act reversal, the biography, which contains a plethora of photographs, continues with her childhood, family, education, and the numerous legal milestones that account for her stellar career. Timeline. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(4) YA When Trell was a baby, her father was imprisoned for a high-profile murder in their gang-ridden Boston neighborhood. Now fourteen, whip-smart Trell works with a young lawyer and a cynical investigative reporter to overturn her father's conviction. Journalist Lehr's adult perspective permeates the voice of his young narrator, but the high-stakes fictionalized case--inspired by a true story--will keep crime-fiction fans interested.

Reviewer: Jessica Tackett MacDonald

(4) K-3 Zoom In on First Ladies series. These starter biographies have fact-driven texts illustrated with uncaptioned photos (or historical art in Washington). The choppy writing is easy to read, but the volumes provide little in the way of substantive background about these First Ladies. Appended lists of quick stats and key dates may be helpful when writing reports. Glos., ind. Review covers these Zoom In on First Ladies titles: Eleanor Roosevelt, Jacqueline Kennedy, Laura Bush, Martha Washington, Michelle Obama, and Nancy Reagan.

Reviewer: Christina Dorr

(3) 4-6 Gateway Biographies series. Two high-achieving women are portrayed fairly, with equal attention paid to their personal and professional lives. Ginsburg's story spans her childhood in Brooklyn to her rise to the Supreme Court; Lynch's includes anecdotes from her Jim Crow–era North Carolina upbringing and chronicles a justice-driven legal career. Small photographs round out the no-frills profiles. Reading list, timeline, websites. Bib., ind. Review covers the following Gateway Biographies titles: Loretta Lynch and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(3) YA When a young man, Grant, is shot dead in an apparent hunting accident, none of his friends accepts the blame. Kate, who'd been developing a friendship with Grant, uses her internship at the district attorney's office to investigate what really happened, despite obstructions from several angles. If readers can suspend disbelief about Kate's level of access, they should enjoy this gripping legal thriller.

Reviewer: Norah Piehl

(2) YA In contemporary London, AJ Flynn, working as a junior clerk at a law firm, discovers a key that leads him to the past--a past in which there are opaque connections between his 1830s acquaintances and his contemporary employers. Murder, madness, forgery, poverty...it's all here. Gardner's prose, peppered with colorful metaphors and period language, moves the plot along quickly.

Reviewer: Deirdre F. Baker | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2016

(2) 4-6 In 1950, lawyer Thurgood Marshall--determined to "wipe out...all phases of segregation in education"--set about gathering legal cases he could use to argue that school segregation violated the Fourteenth Amendment. Rubin meticulously describes the five cases combined as Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, accessibly presenting complicated legal history and skillfully building on the events' inherent drama. Timeline. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2016

(3) 4-6 In the fifth Theodore Boone book, Theo spots accused murderer Pete Duffy during a school trip in Washington, DC, leading to the fugitive's capture and murder trial. Unless Theo can convince the prosecution's star witness to testify, Duffy may go free--and this kid lawyer won't accept that outcome. This middle-grade courtroom drama's draw is Grisham's trademark suspenseful pacing.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(4) 4-6 Extraordinary Women series. Each of these books profiles a highly prominent woman, covering her current role and accomplishments, past achievements, education, and early years. Lots of photographs, captions, and text boxes help to break up the accessible text but contribute to a busy look. "Then and Now" boxes consider how each has contributed to changing views on women in public life. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Extraordinary Women titles: Michelle Obama and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.

Reviewer: Rita Soltan

(3) K-3 National Geographic Readers series. Short chapters with challenging but controlled vocabulary (Obama's text is simpler than Mandela's) track Obama's and Mandela's paths to becoming the first black presidents of their respective countries; pre-presidential civil rights work is emphasized more than presidential policy. "Words to Know" boxes and in-text transliteration support independent reading. Bright photographs, fact boxes, and pullout quotes increase accessibility. Mandela has an index. Timeline. Glos. Review covers these National Geographic Readers titles:Barack Obama and Nelson Mandela.

Reviewer: Rebecca Fox

(3) 4-6 Always-noble-intentioned Theo Boone, son of lawyers and aspiring attorney himself, returns for another entertaining good-guys-versus-bad-guys ethical fight. Strattenburg is hot with debate over a planned highway bypass that opponents like Theo claim will pollute the air, take away valuable personal property, and fill crooked pockets. Grisham's pacing is steady, and he provides plenty of background for readers new to the series.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) 4-6 Theo (Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer) returns for another investigative page-turner full of accessible legal jargon and kid-appropriate ethical issues. When best friend April mysteriously disappears, Theo and friends take matters into their own hands, scouring their town for clues and stepping on police toes. Sharp-witted, strong-willed Theo persists as an entertaining protagonist in Grisham's second suspenseful thriller for middle graders.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen

(3) 4-6 Madison Kincaid Mystery series. Seventh-grader Madison Kincaid is used to being independent; her mom passed away and her father is a busy lawyer. However, when her best friend and soccer teammate vanishes, Madison feels lost. Lots of intrigue and just the right amount of light romance will keep kids reading until the triumphant Madison solves not one, but two mysteries.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(2) 4-6 Theo Boone, whose parents are lawyers, has the sharpest legal mind at Strattenburg's middle school. A big murder trial based on circumstantial evidence creates a platform for him. Grisham serves up a dandy legal adventure that moves along quickly. Without intruding on the story's trajectory, he gives plenty of background about the legal process and explores various ethical questions.

Reviewer: Betty Carter | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2010