Frindle by Andrew Clements
MG Contemporary. 105 Pages. 5 Stars
Synopsis:
From bestselling and award-winning author Andrew Clements, a quirky, imaginative tale about creative thought and the power of words that will have readers inventing their own words.
Is Nick Allen a troublemaker? He really just likes to liven things up at school — and he’s always had plenty of great ideas. When Nick learns some interesting information about how words are created, suddenly he’s got the inspiration for his best plan ever…the frindle. Who says a pen has to be called a pen? Why not call it a frindle? Things begin innocently enough as Nick gets his friends to use the new word. Then other people in town start saying frindle. Soon the school is in an uproar, and Nick has become a local hero. His teacher wants Nick to put an end to all this nonsense, but the funny thing is frindle doesn’t belong to Nick anymore. The new word is spreading across the country, and there’s nothing Nick can do to stop it.
My Review:
Somehow I missed this one growing up. I know it’s a beloved one, and probably the one Clements is most well-known for.
I was never huge into contemporary or realistic fiction as a kid. I was much more fascinated by dragons, mysteries, and epic adventures. I’m still a big fantasy fan, but over time I’ve learned to appreciate stories like this in a way I never could have as a kid.
Frindle is a fun little story of a witty little boy who changes the world somewhat by accident. I enjoyed the school setting, and as a teacher, that ending made my heart so happy. It’s a little strange reading MG fiction for kids from the teacher’s perspective. Instead of relating to the students as the reader might, I feel such love for them as a teacher does.
I loved the hilarity and just pure fun of how out of control the whole frindle situation got as the story progressed. Also, as a writer and lover of language, the premise of this one is really cool, too. I can’t say it isn’t a question I’ve never asked myself! The classroom shenanigans of Nick made me smile so much and I love that he finally met a teacher that could match wits (and dare I say win?) with him. This story highlights the true impact a good teacher can have on a kid, and we need more of those!
This is a comedic, lighthearted read with a thread of heartfelt to tie it all together. It makes me want to read more Clements stories and more stories set in schools like this one.
A great read and definitely one I’d recommend for kids! Clements does a great job of humor but also providing great conversation starters for kids, teachers, and parents to consider.
More
The first book in the Frindle duology is Frindle (5 Stars)
Book 2 is The Frindle Files
These books could be read as standalones, but they’re definitely chronological, so I’d probably recommend reading them in order.
On GraceBought
If you liked this book, you may also like these other MG titles:
The Misadventured Summer of Tumbleweed Thompson, The Chocolate Touch, Charlotte’s Web, Wonder, The Magician’s Nephew, Running Out of Time, or The Giver
or try this award-winning witty mystery: