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    Frindle
    Frindle
    Frindle
    Ebook96 pages1 hour

    Frindle

    By Andrew Clements

    4/5

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    About this ebook

    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.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherAtheneum Books for Young Readers
    Release dateAug 1, 1999
    ISBN9780689832505
    Author

    Andrew Clements

    Andrew Clements (1949–2019) was the author of the enormously popular Frindle. More than 10 million copies of his books have been sold, and he was nominated for a multitude of state awards, including a Christopher Award and an Edgar Award. His popular works include About Average, Troublemaker, Extra Credit, Lost and Found, No Talking, Room One, Lunch Money, and more. He was also the author of the Benjamin Pratt & the Keepers of the School series. Find out more at AndrewClements.com.

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    Reviews for Frindle

    4/5

    1,119 ratings105 reviews

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    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 4/5
      I like this book. For one, I like it because of how it is written. Because it is written as a young, school-aged boys, its audience can better relate to it (as it is intended for school-age children). I also like this book because of the sort of 'whimsy' to it. It is common for students in 2nd or 3rd grade to make up words, and by showing students that they can create their own word and can make it a part of everyday language, shows that students are able to make a difference and are able to make a change. The main idea of the story is just that, that even children can change something in the world.
    • 3/5
      Andrew Clements is coming to a conference in the spring, so I thought I ought to read some of his books before that happens. One of the books I chose to read is Frindle, a book about Nicholas Allen. Nick is a well-meaning 5th grader who has some ideas up his sleeve. When his teacher informs him that words are given meaning by two people agreeing, then he gets the idea to rename pens as "frindles." It catches on far more than he could have imagined.
    • 5/5
      "Frindle", written by Andrew Clements is a very clever and silly book. This novel is about a young boy, Nick, who is deemed as a trouble maker at his school; him and his class decide to create their own word for pen and the school breaks into a frenzy about this new word. Clements perfectly brings you into the fun, silly atmosphere of Nick Allen through his writing. The headings of each chapter are in a kid-like font and the first sentence of each chapter starts with capital letters, which really captures your attention and brings you further into the story. I believe that the overall theme of this novel is that creativity is important and to not let others stop you from using your imagination.
    • 5/5
      Good Book about a student who learns about word making. He then comes to the conclusion, why can't a pen be called something else? So the word frindle originates, which becomes a widespread across the country. Teachers are not happy about what has happened, but unfortunately it is too late.
    • 5/5
      Frindle offers readers a valuable lesson as to how even a small, seamingly innocent idea can take off with the right kind of marketing and manpower. It takes a village, in this case an entire school, but Nick's plan to waste some class time to avoid extra homework, takes on a life of its own. Once the word frindle goes viral, it attracts both positive and negative interest throughout the community, the country, and eventually the world... much to Nick's surprise. Clements displays a natural knack for writing for middle years readers - no wonder he is known affectionately as the "master of the school story." The language is familiar, and children will easily identify with the characters... everyone will be able to picture their own "Mrs. Granger." (It was Mrs. Sandburn in my day!)
    • 3/5
      This was a good book filled with comedy and clues to the problem it was very interesting And don't forget to bring your frindle to school
    • 5/5
      Summary: Nick Allen is a very clever and creative fifth grader at Lincoln Elementary in the quiet town of Westfield, New Jersey. Nick always had a way of asking questions that kept his teacher off topic long enough for the bell to ring before they could assign that day's homework assignment, but that was before Mrs. Granger became his language arts teacher. Mrs. Granger loved the dictionary and words more than anyone could imagine and always seemed to be one step ahead of Nick's disruptive plans. One day Nick asked Mrs. Granger who says what words go in the dictionary and what they mean, she told him "We decide what goes in that book." That afternoon Nick had his best idea yet, he was going to make up a new word; Frindle, of otherwise known as a pen, and it was not long before the whole school was using his new word. But Nick had no idea the magnitude of the events that "frindle" would cause.Personal Reaction: I loved this book! Once I started reading it I could not bring myself to put it down. I really enjoy the personality that Andrew Clements' characters portrayed. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a clever and fun book around the 5th grade reading level. It shines light on the power creativity can have.Classroom Extension Ideas: This book can be used to teach kids that the possibilities are endless when you use creativity and imagination. Also, it teaches you that standing up for what you believe in can pay off in the end. After reading this book as a class I would give the students a week to come up with a new word that they would like to start using in the classroom, then have the class as a whole vote on which word they would like to become the classroom's "new word" for the year. Also, I would hold a class discussion on whether they feel it is right or wrong to stick up for something based on various situations.
    • 5/5
      This is one of my favorite books of this author. I really liked this book because it is very funny. It starts out as this boy named nick where if they put the students in to cadogorys good kids bad kids and funny kids he wouldnt fall into any of them he would just have a catory of his own. He goes into the classroom before everyone else and decorates it and then.....to find out what happens next read Frindle by Andrew Clements.
    • 5/5
      He wanted to get some fun out of 5th grade.But he has a serious language teacher.So he told the world about the new word.
    • 4/5
      Nick Allen is starting fifth grade and has a reputation for coming up with creative schemes to distract even the best teachers. However, his new teacher, Mrs. Granger, manages to always be one step ahead of him. When Nick tries to pull another one of his famous tricks on his vocabulary loving teacher, he winds up being assigned an extra report on how new words are added to the dictionary. This, however, gives Nick an idea. He decides to start calling a pen a "frindle". Soon, all of the students are calling a pen a frindle. Mrs. Granger is thoroughly annoyed by this and so the battle begins. Teachers and families begin to take sides and the situation escalates to the point that it not only makes it into the national news but the word frindle is added to the dictionary. Despite Nick and Mrs. Granger's battle over the word they do wind up respecting, even liking each other in the end. I thought this book was a lot of fun. The children and the adults were realistically portrayed and while the plot seems outrageous it is portrayed in a plausible way. The teachers in the story are somewhat stereotypical and the story doesn't necessarily illuminate the problems and issues growing up in today's world. But it does transcend the contemporary setting and could have universal appeal. The battle of teacher versus student is little over the top and students who have read this may try to come up with a similar scheme of their own. But overall it is a fun read that children are sure to enjoy. Suggested grade level: 3-5.
    • 5/5
      Summary:This is a book about a boy named Nick. He is always asking questions in class to avoid working. Once he finds out that different words can be made to mean the same thing, he is really interested. He decides to call a pen a frindle and the whole fifth grade class follows along with his new word. Mrs. Granger their teacher is not happy about it and forbids them from using it. It's too late because it is so catchy the whole school and community starts to use the word frindle. Reflection:This was a great book. It was funny and I felt like this could really happen in schools. It was a story where I think the characters can really come to live. I feel any 3rd thru 5th grader would enjoy this book. It will show them that not all things have to be boring and if they only continue to try things can really change and happen.
    • 5/5
      Classic - fun to read!
    • 4/5
      3.5 Nostalgic book. I enjoyed the story very much, but not sure how to rate it. Child me would probably say it is a 5 star.
    • 4/5
      My favorite part in the book was when the teacher getting mad
    • 5/5
      Oh my gosh I love this book! It is so smart and funny I one-hundred percent recommend this book.
    • 1/5
      B o r i n g L o n g.
    • 4/5
      This was a nice and fun book to read! I will be reading this again.
    • 1/5
      It is stupid and I don’t like how it was about a pen that’s dumb
    • 5/5
      THIS BOOK IS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
      CUTE!!! ( I am writing this with a FRINDLE!)
    • 5/5
      It was an interesting book that my kids found interesting. We loved learning about the trouble-maker of the school. It really thought my kids not to be ever a trouble-maker for their whole life. Great book!!!! Good job Andrew Clements!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • 5/5
      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.
    • 4/5
      Very enjoyable!
    • 5/5
      Frindle by Andrew Clements is a fast moving book that you can read in a day. I loved this book and even laughed out loud at some of Nick’s antics. He would be a blast to have in class, but I am not sure that all the teachers out there would enjoy it in quite the same way. Although Nick likes to get into a little trouble, he really just likes to have a good time. I thought he was easy to relate to as the book progressed because he is smart and has some very imaginative ideas. Frindle is a book that can be enjoyed by boys and girls from third grade through sixth grade. I think older kids and adults may find this book to be entertaining, especially if they like the English language and vocabulary words. I am amazed at how the author created such a unique term! I liked that the book was full of surprises all the way up until the end. The drawings that were included throughout the book also helped to make the story come to life and I had a great time examining them. Pick up this book and you will not be disappointed!
    • 5/5
      Idk it funny and it has a good plot ?
    • 5/5
      I think Frindle is a not just fine book its a fantastic book i think the author of this book is very talented he has many great books and this is one of them.
    • 5/5
      Best book by Andrew Clements, would definitely read again. ?
    • 5/5
      Very good, my 7yo was actually enthralled with his first chapter book.
    • 5/5
      Excellent writing and characterization. Clements is able to think like a child and write like an adult seamlessly.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Nick, a lovable troublemaker famous in school for distracting teachers and avoiding homework, picks a fight with his fifth grade language arts teacher about the origin of words and the authority of the dictionary. His new word for pen spreads like wildfire, resulting in chaos, punishment, and ultimately national fame. A gentle, amusing tale, this chapter book both empowers children and shows the wisdom and humanity of even the stodgiest of teachers. It is thought provoking as well as humorous. This book would appeal to a wide range of students, both boys and girls. I would recommend it in a public or school library for upper elementary students.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      Nick Allen was not, by his own admission, one of the bad kids, the good kids, or the smart kids. He was entirely himself, an individual with a keen sense of humor and an original mind. Disinclined toward doing lots of work, he tangled with his fifth-grade Language Arts teacher, Mrs. Granger, and found himself researching dictionaries, and the origins of words. Taking to heart the idea that meaning is created by all of a language's speakers, he creates a new word for pen - 'frindle' - that soon catches on at his school. But is he ready for the conflict with Mrs. Granger and other authority figures that this will ignite...?First published in 1996, and a perennial favorite since then, Frindle is an immensely engaging story, one that is both humorous and heartwarming, and one that encourages young readers to think about the power of words, and of the speaker's role in using (or creating) them. I imagine that quite a few budding linguists got their start with Andrew Clements' book. Nick is an appealing character, a real boy with plenty of good qualities but some weaknesses as well. I thought the author's depiction of his withdrawal into himself, after achieving fame - his timidity, upon discovering his own power - was quite perceptive. I also thought the depiction of Mrs. Granger was spot on - I too have known people who seem quite daunting, but whose respect can be won through honest and principles opposition, rather than thoughtless capitulation. Recommended to children - early chapter-book range, I would say - looking for fun and thought-provoking school stories.

      1 person found this helpful

    Book preview

    Frindle - Andrew Clements

    Cover: Frindle, by Andrew Clements

    For Becky, Charles, George, Nate, and John

    —A.C.

    one

    Nick

    IF YOU ASKED the kids and the teachers at Lincoln Elementary School to make three lists—all the really bad kids, all the really smart kids, and all the really good kids—Nick Allen would not be on any of them. Nick deserved a list all his own, and everyone knew it.

    Was Nick a troublemaker? Hard to say. One thing’s for sure: Nick Allen had plenty of ideas, and he knew what to do with them.

    One time in third grade Nick decided to turn Miss Deaver’s room into a tropical island. What kid in New Hampshire isn’t ready for a little summer in February? So first he got everyone to make small palm trees out of green and brown construction paper and tape them onto the corners of each desk. Miss Deaver had only been a teacher for about six months, and she was delighted. "That’s so cute!"

    The next day all the girls wore paper flowers in their hair and all the boys wore sunglasses and beach hats. Miss Deaver clapped her hands and said, "It’s so colorful!"

    The day after that Nick turned the classroom thermostat up to about ninety degrees with a little screwdriver he had brought from home. All the kids changed into shorts and T-shirts with no shoes. And when Miss Deaver left the room for a minute, Nick spread about ten cups of fine white sand all over the classroom floor. Miss Deaver was surprised again at just how creative her students could be.

    But the sand got tracked out into the hallway, where Manny the custodian did not think it was creative at all. And he stomped right down to the office.

    The principal followed the trail of sand, and when she arrived, Miss Deaver was teaching the hula to some kids near the front of the room, and a tall, thin, shirtless boy with chestnut hair was just spiking a Nerf volleyball over a net made from six T-shirts tied together.

    The third-grade trip to the South Seas ended. Suddenly.

    But that didn’t stop Nick from trying to liven things up. Lincoln Elementary needed a good jolt once in a while, and Nick was just the guy to deliver it.

    About a year later, Nick made the great blackbird discovery. One night he learned on a TV show that red-wing blackbirds give this high-pitched chirp when a hawk or some other danger comes near. Because of the way sound travels, the hunter birds can’t tell where the high-pitched chirp is coming from.

    The next day during silent reading, Nick glanced at his teacher, and he noticed that Mrs. Avery’s nose was curved—kind of like the beak of a hawk. So Nick let out a high, squeaky, blackbird peep!

    Mrs. Avery jerked her head up from her book and looked around. She couldn’t tell who did it, so she just said, Shhh! to the whole class.

    A minute later Nick did it again, louder. Peeep! This time there was a little giggling from the class. But Mrs. Avery pretended not to hear the sound, and about fifteen seconds later she slowly stood up and walked to the back of the classroom.

    Without taking his eyes off his book, and without moving at all, Nick put his heart and soul into the highest and most annoying chirp of all: Peeeeep!

    Mrs. Avery pounced. Janet Fisk, you stop that this instant!

    Janet, who was sitting four rows away from Nick, promptly turned white, then bright crimson.

    But it wasn’t me . . . honest. There was a catch in Janet’s voice, as if she might cry.

    Mrs. Avery knew she had made a mistake, and she apologized to Janet.

    But someone is asking for big trouble, said Mrs. Avery, looking more like a hawk every second.

    Nick kept reading, and he didn’t make a peep.

    At lunchtime Nick talked to Janet. He felt bad that Mrs. Avery had pounced on her. Janet lived in Nick’s neighborhood, and sometimes they played together. She was good at baseball, and she was better at soccer than most of the kids in the whole school, boys or girls. Nick said, Hey Janet—I’m sorry you got yelled at during reading. It was my fault. I was the one who made that sound.

    You did? said Janet. But how come Mrs. Avery thought it was me?

    So Nick told her about the blackbirds, and Janet thought it was pretty interesting. Then she tried making a peep or two, and Janet’s chirps were even higher and squeakier than Nick’s. She promised to keep everything a secret.

    For the rest of Nick’s fourth-grade year, at least once a week, Mrs. Avery heard a loud peeeep from somewhere in her classroom—sometimes it was a high-pitched chirp, and sometimes it was a very high-pitched chirp.

    Mrs. Avery never figured out who was making that sound, and gradually she trained herself to ignore it. But she still looked like a hawk.

    To Nick, the whole thing was just one long—and successful—science experiment.

    And Janet Fisk enjoyed it, too.

    two

    Mrs. Granger

    FIFTH GRADE WAS different. That was the year to get ready for middle school. Fifth grade meant passing classes. It meant no morning recess. It meant real letter grades on your report cards. But most

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