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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
When my friends read this in elementary school, it was kind of a silly book about some obnoxious kid who decided he didn't like the word "pen." Now, I'm looking at a list of recent Merriam-Webster additions, and thinking about the uproar that comes every time they add something like "dumpster fire" or "FOMO" or "blockchain" -- or when someone uses "they" as a singular pronoun.
Yeah, the book is funny, it's silly, but Clements absolutely thought through every single result of this little word-experiment: an entrepreneur trademarks the word, Nick second-guessed his later ideas, Nick gets on the David Letterman show... None of it felt unrealistic, because even in such a [relatively] short book, every consequence of "frindle" was at least mentioned. And actually, I laughed at the David Letterman thing because it seemed far-fetched, but then I remembered Ellen, and it didn't seem so ridiculous.
I have little-to-no patience for explanation (or even buildup-to-action) in most books, and I almost deducted a star since it took quite a while for "frindle" to even be mentioned, but I do think the first several chapters were important to show Nick's character and demonstrate some of his other big ideas. (I loved the beach thing!)
All Nick's ideas -- particularly the lunch-boycott one -- were also a great, only slightly heavy-handed lesson on how kids can spark change. I guess the whole book sort of shows that, but [[minor spoiler]] the town having the best school-lunch program in the state [[end spoiler]] spells it out most clearly. Besides this just being a cute book and an interesting read (even for an adult!), that message is why my hypothetical future children are probably going to read Frindle too.
Surprising no one but myself, I got a little bit emotional at the end of this book, too. The last lines... I can't. There could not have been a more perfect ending to this book.
Since my review is threatening to be longer than the book, I'll end it there, but: yeah. Read this book, even if you're a Real Adult who doesn't care about "kids' books."
Yeah, the book is funny, it's silly, but Clements absolutely thought through every single result of this little word-experiment: an entrepreneur trademarks the word, Nick second-guessed his later ideas, Nick gets on the David Letterman show... None of it felt unrealistic, because even in such a [relatively] short book, every consequence of "frindle" was at least mentioned. And actually, I laughed at the David Letterman thing because it seemed far-fetched, but then I remembered Ellen, and it didn't seem so ridiculous.
I have little-to-no patience for explanation (or even buildup-to-action) in most books, and I almost deducted a star since it took quite a while for "frindle" to even be mentioned, but I do think the first several chapters were important to show Nick's character and demonstrate some of his other big ideas. (I loved the beach thing!)
All Nick's ideas -- particularly the lunch-boycott one -- were also a great, only slightly heavy-handed lesson on how kids can spark change. I guess the whole book sort of shows that, but [[minor spoiler]] the town having the best school-lunch program in the state [[end spoiler]] spells it out most clearly. Besides this just being a cute book and an interesting read (even for an adult!), that message is why my hypothetical future children are probably going to read Frindle too.
Surprising no one but myself, I got a little bit emotional at the end of this book, too. The last lines... I can't. There could not have been a more perfect ending to this book.
Since my review is threatening to be longer than the book, I'll end it there, but: yeah. Read this book, even if you're a Real Adult who doesn't care about "kids' books."
funny
medium-paced
Read it before teaching to my teen esl kids. I think they'll really enjoy it
This is easily an all time favorite!
7/7/24 - my niece and I listened to the audiobook during a long car trip today. I’m thrilled she loved Frindle!
7/7/24 - my niece and I listened to the audiobook during a long car trip today. I’m thrilled she loved Frindle!
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
3.5 stars. I've read this to my classes for years, most recently this month. they all ultimately end up calling pens "frindles" and that is fun. Short and cute story.
Every family with elementary school aged kids should read this book together. I went from laughing so hard I had tears streaming down my face to pausing to collect myself so I wouldn’t burst out in a sob. Nothing bad happens, but it is one of the most heart warming book I’ve read in ages.
This is my favorite book of all time. The first time I read it in sixth grade, I decided to re-name watches "fraxes," and I left notes announcing the change at every rest stop, restaurant, and gas station we passed that summer. It never took off, of course, but I love that this simple book makes people feel like they can influence change.
I read this ahead of my homeschooled 5th grader as part of their literature curriculum. I really enjoyed this! I listened to the audiobook and the reader was great. The story is obviously based in the past because new words seem to pop up every few days on TikTok but I think this is a great way to introduce the concepts.