Theodore Boone: the activist by John Grisham

I didn't know Grisham also wrote young-adults novels. This is the first I've seen and read. It was good, very simple, and simplistic too, it all ends quite easily and happily. It was a nice reading, written very well.
The story: Thirteen year old Theo, not good at sports but good at talking who wants to become a lawyer like his parents, is a very decent, smart kid. He gets involved in a rather political matter: the Government intends to build a bypass to reduce traffic on the busiest road of his town, and it might sound like a good idea only he learns that because of it the farm that one of his friend's family has owned for generations will be taken by the Government to destroy and make space for the new big road; also Theo learns that this new project will cost many millions, and he questions whether it is right to spend so much money on something not "really necessary" when at the same time many people in town are being fired due to cuts to the town's funds. It starts slow, with his friend asking him about Eminent Domain, but Theo gets more and more involved: three workers almost kill his dog Judge, and he meets with some activists who explain to him how this road will be close to places where young children and kids go to school or to play football. Theo learns that those in favor of the project plan to gain an awful lot of money, it it will go through, and he's convinced that it is a useless, even dangerous project and wants to stop it. The ending was very simple and maybe even a little disappointing (maybe). Here it is:
The day comes when five people have to vote on the project: three yes and the bypass will be built Theo goes forward to speak for the town's kids and makes a very good speech, saying how Eminent Domain can be useful, sure, but must be used by the Government only in case of need, and since the town can go on very well even without the bypass, in this case the Eminent Domain would be an abuse of power.
After his excellent speech, they vote: two yes, one no (everybody knew those three were going to vote that way), another no (general surprise) and the last one refused to vote, which actually counts as a no, because there was no majority and in case of a tie the proposal is rejected. General round of cheers and applause, happy ending for all the good people of Strattenburg.

A very simple story, ideal for young teenagers.