Book Review of Frindle
The Children’s Book Review
Frindle
Written by Andrew Clements
Illustrated by Brian Selznick
Ages 8+ | 112 Pages
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (1996) | ISBN-13: 9780689806698
What to Expect: Humor, Words, and School Life
The story of Frindle came about when Andrew Clements wondered what would happen if a kid made up a word and the teacher didn’t like it, but all of the kids at school did. The book has received over 35 awards and honors, and over 10 million copies have been sold.
Frindle explores the fascinating world of language and creativity, perfect for any kiddo who has ever thought about inventing their own words. Imagine the thrill of creating a word that becomes a part of the English language—this is the premise of the wonderful book.
The story centers around a playful and imaginative fifth-grader named Nick Allen. He likes to stir things up with his pranks and ends up in a battle of wits with his language arts teacher, Mrs. Granger. Nick invents a new word, “frindle,” that means “pen,” and his classmates love it. But Mrs. Granger is not amused and sets out to put Nick in his place. Follow Nick as his word takes over the world, becoming part of the English language.
This hilarious story is filled with funny illustrations by Brian Selznick that have readers laughing out loud. Frindle is a must-read for anyone who loves language and enjoys a good story. It’s an especially great choice for a teacher to read aloud, and who knows, it might even inspire the class to create their own words!
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About the Author
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.
About the Author
Brian Selznick is the author and illustrator of the bestselling The Invention of Hugo Cabret, which was awarded the Caldecott Medal and was a National Book Award finalist. He is also the illustrator of many books for children, including Frindle and Lunch Money by Andrew Clements, as well as the Doll People trilogy by Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin, and The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins by Barbara Kerley, which was a Caldecott Honor Book. Mr. Selznick divides his time between Brooklyn, New York, and San Diego, California.
What to Read Next if You Love Books by Andrew Clements
- No Talking, by Andrew Clements
- The Lemonade War, by Jacqueline Davies
- Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, by Judy Blume
- The Invention of Hugo Cabret, by Brian Selznick
Bianca Schulze reviewed Frindle by Andrew Clements and Brian Selznick. Discover more books like Frindle by reading our reviews and articles tagged with Humor and School Life.
