Rogue Lawyer
A Novel
by John Grisham
Random House 2015
Easy read — content targets 9th–12th grade
Reading level 6.4 (6th grade) but themes aimed at ages 14+
Themes include Corruption and abuse of power, Violence and the criminal underworld
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Genre
Themes
- Justice versus the letter of the law
- Moral ambiguity and ethical compromise
- Corruption and abuse of power
- Civil liberties and due process
- Outsider/antihero protagonist
- Violence and the criminal underworld
- Parenthood and custody
- Media influence on the legal system
About this book
Sebastian Rudd is a maverick defense attorney who operates out of a bulletproof van and takes the clients no one else will touch—cop killers, death-row inmates, cage fighters, and kidnapped children’s accused abductors. In a series of interlocking cases, he navigates corrupt cops, compromised judges, and media frenzy while juggling a fraught personal life and fierce custody battle for his son. Rogue Lawyer is a fast, gritty legal thriller about justice on the margins and the cost of defending the indefensible.
Setting: Contemporary United States, primarily an unnamed mid-sized city across courtrooms, jails, and urban streets
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rogue Lawyer right for my child?
It depends — here's what to consider for Rogue Lawyer. The reading level is AR 6.4, which is typical for 6th grade. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 14+ (9th–12th grade). Themes include Justice versus the letter of the law, Moral ambiguity and ethical compromise, Corruption and abuse of power.
How long does it take to read Rogue Lawyer?
At a typical 6th grade reading pace, Rogue Lawyer takes around 10.0h to finish. The book has 104,581 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Rogue Lawyer have an AR quiz?
Yes — Rogue Lawyer has an AR quiz available, worth 14 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is Rogue Lawyer?
Rogue Lawyer has an AR reading level of 6.4, which places it at a 6th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Upper Grades (9–12) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.