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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.
When he decides to turn his fifth grade teacher's love of the dictionary around on her, clever Nick Allen invents a new word and begins a chain of events that quickly moves beyond his control.
Discussion Topics
Describing his novel, Andrew Clements writes that Frindle "is about discovering the true nature of words, language, thought, community, learning." Take each of these ideas one at a time. How is each explored in Frindle? What do you think is the true nature of each?
The frindle is just one of Nick's great ideas. Brainstorm about ways you could improve your own school. How can you turn your ideas into action?
"Every good story," Mrs. Granger writes to Nick, "needs a bad guy, don't you think?" Do you agree? Does every good story have a villain? Can you think of any that don't?
Brian Selznick's illustrations add their own sly humor to Frindle. Discuss a few of your favorites in detail. For example, how does his first illustration, opposite the title page, help set up the novel? How do you know from his fullpage portrait of Mrs. Granger that she can't be pushed around?
Although Nick didn't know it until he turned twenty-one, his new word earned him a huge amount of money. Do you think his parents were right in setting up a trust fund for him? What do you think he might have done with the money if he could have spent it earlier? What would you do if you suddenly had a lot of money of your own?
"School," the author writes in Frindle, "was the perfect place to launch a new word." Why? What makes schools such good breeding grounds for fads? Do companies or community organizations ever use your school for promoting products or services? How?
Years after he leaves Mrs. Granger's class, Nick finds a perfect way to show her how important she was to him. What's your teacher's idea of a perfect gift from a former student?Has he or she received it yet?
Activities and Research
Create and define your own new word. Think of an object, a situation, or behavior that you think needs a single new word all its own.
When Nick decides to call a pen a frindle, he creates a new synonym for a word that has few. But many words, such as friend or attractive, already have several common synonyms. On your own or with a group, make a list of words with many synonyms. What's the largest number of synonyms you can come up with for one single word?
New inventions and ideas or changing cultural influences continually add new words to our language. With the help of your parents or another adult, assemble a list of new words or new meanings for old words that have entered common usage within the last generation. Ask them as well about common words from their own childhood that are now seldom used.
Nick makes his mark on the world even though he's just a fifth grader. Research and report to your class on other individuals who made significant contributions to literature, science, music, or other fields while still very young. If possible, bring in examples of their work.
Interview a parent or a close adult friend about the teacher who meant the most to them when they were young. Did they always admire that teacher or did they grow to respect him or her more over time? What did they learn from that teacher? How did they learn it? Have they kept up with the teacher since leaving school?
Mrs. Granger is a firm believer in improving vocabulary by studying word lists, but there are also playful ways to boost your word power. Look for board games based on words, crossword puzzles, or any books that feature word games. And, of course, reading more good books is another sure way to increase your vocabulary.
News about Nick's new word spreads fast. First within his class, then in his hometown newspaper, later on television news shows and entertainment talk shows. Track a current news story through the media. Where did you first learn about the story? Keep a record of all the media outlets — newspapers, magazines, the Internet, radio and television newscasts, or entertainment shows — that also feature the same story.
Describing his novel, Andrew Clements writes that Frindle "is about discovering the true nature of words, language, thought, community, learning." Take each of these ideas one at a time. How is each explored in Frindle? What do you think is the true nature of each?
The frindle is just one of Nick's great ideas. Brainstorm about ways you could improve your own school. How can you turn your ideas into action?
"Every good story," Mrs. Granger writes to Nick, "needs a bad guy, don't you think?" Do you agree? Does every good story have a villain? Can you think of any that don't?
Brian Selznick's illustrations add their own sly humor to Frindle. Discuss a few of your favorites in detail. For example, how does his first illustration, opposite the title page, help set up the novel? How do you know from his fullpage portrait of Mrs. Granger that she can't be pushed around?
Although Nick didn't know it until he turned twenty-one, his new word earned him a huge amount of money. Do you think his parents were right in setting up a trust fund for him? What do you think he might have done with the money if he could have spent it earlier? What would you do if you suddenly had a lot of money of your own?
"School," the author writes in Frindle, "was the perfect place to launch a new word." Why? What makes schools such good breeding grounds for fads? Do companies or community organizations ever use your school for promoting products or services? How?
Years after he leaves Mrs. Granger's class, Nick finds a perfect way to show her how important she was to him. What's your teacher's idea of a perfect gift from a former student? Has he or she received it yet?
Activities and Research
Create and define your own new word. Think of an object, a situation, or behavior that you think needs a single new word all its own.
When Nick decides to call a pen a frindle, he creates a new synonym for a word that has few. But many words, such as friend or attractive, already have several common synonyms. On your own or with a group, make a list of words with many synonyms. What's the largest number of synonyms you can come up with for one single word?
New inventions and ideas or changing cultural influences continually add new words to our language. With the help of your parents or another adult, assemble a list of new words or new meanings for old words that have entered common usage within the last generation. Ask them as well about common words from their own childhood that are now seldom used.
Nick makes his mark on the world even though he's just a fifth grader. Research and report to your class on other individuals who made significant contributions to literature, science, music, or other fields while still very young. If possible, bring in examples of their work.
Interview a parent or a close adult friend about the teacher who meant the most to them when they were young. Did they always admire that teacher or did they grow to respect him or her more over time? What did they learn from that teacher? How did they learn it? Have they kept up with the teacher since leaving school?
Mrs. Granger is a firm believer in improving vocabulary by studying word lists, but there are also playful ways to boost your word power. Look for board games based on words, crossword puzzles, or any books that feature word games. And, of course, reading more good books is another sure way to increase your vocabulary.
News about Nick's new word spreads fast. First within his class, then in his hometown newspaper, later on television news shows and entertainment talk shows. Track a current news story through the media. Where did you first learn about the story? Keep a record of all the media outlets -- newspapers, magazines, the Internet, radio and television newscasts, or entertainment shows -- that also feature the same story.
Anonymous
Posted January 15, 2009
I read a couple of chapters a night to my son before he went to bed and we both really enjoyed it. I had my mother, a retired teacher read it and she enjoyed it enough to share it with a friend who is also a retired teacher. I have continued to purchase more Andrew Clements books for my son. This book truly proves that kids CAN make a difference.
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.OfficerJake
Posted October 11, 2009
I Also Recommend:
I am 9 and in third grade. I think the word frindle was very funny. Good use of pictures throughout the story. The characters were awesome! The writing was brilliant! The book was good in that it made you want to go back and finish it!
6 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I'm a 24 year old college student who was assigned this book for one of my ELED courses and I absolutely loved it. I will definately recommend this book to my students and my own children in the future.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 27, 2010
Our classroom recently read the book Frindle by Andrew Clements. Our teacher chose to read us this book because she thought it was very funny and that many of us would like it. After reading the book, we really enjoyed it. We enjoyed it because it showed us that we can make a word up and it can mean something else. It also helped us learn about other words that people make and put in the dictionary. It also showed us how studnets can get in trouble if they don't obey their teacher. We learned that Nick has a talent for creating new words and being influential. Overall, we enjoyed this book and would recommend it to other kids to read.
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted September 28, 2008
I recommend this book to kids 7 and up. I read this book in three days because I couldn't put the book down! This book is great for everyone.
3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted August 8, 2011
I read this book and I would recommend it to my friends or anyone. And the reason why is because it shows how far your imagination can take you. I really liked how Nick would not give up even when Mrs. Granger was making it so difficult. Nick was very brave by not giving up on his believes. I think that other people that experience something like this they will give up. Well this is an example of why you should not give up on your dreams because they can come true if you work hard to make that dream come true.
When my teacher assigned me to read this book and when I started to read it I could not stop because it was very interesting. This book teaches that if you believe in something or have a dream and you what to make it come true if you work hard it will come true. I liked the author's writing style and I would defenetly like to read other books by him.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 27, 2011
I read this book in school and i have to say, i was surprised of how detailed and funny this book actually is. Its a great read for anyone, highly recommended
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 7, 2012
I remember the influences this book first gave me. Technically, it influenced my whole class, but you get the point. After my library teacher read this book to us (who is now a homeroom teacher [that doesn't really matter, but I thought I'd just throw that in there] ), we couldn't get over the word "frindle." We said "frindle" instead of "pen" for two weeks, but it didn't catch on because we were fourth graders so we couldn't use pens. This book was pretty fun to read though...
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 28, 2012
My 5th grade teacher read this to my class and I. We all injoyed it. My classes favorite book that year.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 16, 2012
It was okay when I started it, but then it got really,really boring. It's about a boy and his pincipal arguing over a word for pen. I guess authors are running out of ideas.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 5, 2012
A book a middle schooler should read with entertament. A fun story even an adult should read it.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 29, 2011
I was reading the sample but it was only about 4 pages of actual reading. I have read this book before so I wanted to read it again but I couldn't.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 11, 2011
Nick Allen is funny and unique. His idea of calling pens frindle is brillant!!!!! It is a great book and great for summer reading assignments
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 20, 2010
I am reading this book to my third grade class before we actually see the play "Frindle" live on stage. They enjoy the book and look forward to me read everyday.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 21, 2009
Pens! Pens! Frindles?
Nick Allen has always been creative. He made his classroom into Hawaii in February. But this time he creates something that affects the whole country: a new word (Frindle meaning pen). There is one problem, Nick's own English teacher. Watch Nick take twist and turns to keep using his word. But he just might lose it. read and find out.
I like this book because you have a special feeling that you can make a word too. Also once you start you'll be surging for more. You will have a strange but great feeling while reading Frindle.
I liked that Nick was trying to make a new word. I also liked how the author made it feel so real, but in reality not true.
I recommend this book to people who like to read books that actually feel real. If you like words or school or want to read an extraordinary book read Frindle. This one book. is truly amazing.
If you like Frindle you can read these other books by Andrew Clements: Room One, Lunch Money, No Talking, The Landry News, and The Janitor's Boy.~ by Hanil 9
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Do you like Andrew Clements?Here is one of his many good books.It's called Frindle.The main character is Nicholas Allen.When he is walking home after school with one of his friends, they find a pen and Nick blurts out"Frindle" what could happen from that one little thing that Nick didn't mean to say?Read the book to find out.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 13, 2008
Nick is a kid who likes schemes and ends up making a new word from trying to get the class less homework. Weird introduction and explanation, yes, but explanations are only needed after reading and not understanding the book. But otherwise, the book FRINDLE made perfect sense, a perfect meaning, and is a perfect book for young readers like me. Also, see Room One, the book, from the same author and see my review. It might help you find the perfect book for your child. Books from the same author: Room One, The Report card
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 15, 2008
My Library teacher read this to my 2nd grade class. I thought it was okay in the beginning but in the middle and end it was great. Very silly and great for summer.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 21, 2008
This book 'Frindle' was so exciting that I could not put it down. The concept of this book is basically a kid who makes up a word. I recommend this book to young readers who are interested in funny stories and people who believe they can do anything.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 10, 2012
I think that everyone will love this book. I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!
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Overview
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...