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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I found Frindle to be a wonderful and engaging story to which children can really relate. This was a very quick read for me and so I think it would be appropriate for second graders and on. Once they've reached second grade, they have experienced what school, homework, and strict teachers can be like. This would also be a warning or preparation for kids who haven't had strict teachers. Older kids will appreciate it because they have experienced similar situations. Teenagers and adults will appreciate the moralstic side of the story -- how teachers can really change out lives with one little homework assignment and how much they (or most of them anyway) truly care, the power of a single word, and even the power of a child. The only reason I can think of anyone really disliking the story is because they don't use pens anymore, they only type.It may be slightly repetitive in spots -- when Nick keeps annoying Mrs. Granger by having other people say the word, and they get detention. However, I found it a well written and enticing story.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
What a fun, little book! I love revisiting books I read in middle school and they make me so happy.
Delightful read, and even more delightful audiobook. I had read this book as a kid and I think I enjoyed it more as an adult. Nick, the main character, is a kid too clever for his own good. One might call him an influencer, because where he sees need for change, he finds a clever way to make it happen. I was impressed with the progression of the plot; how one simple word becomes a phenomenon and how Nick matures and sees the impact his plans can have. This is a great book for kids to read and realize how their small ideas can make great change and how their teachers have their best interests at heart.
I'm a sap, I guess. My daughter is reading this book, so to be a good dad, I read it too. It's GREAT.
The world needs some Nick Allens.
The world needs some Nick Allens.
Probably closer to a 3.5 for me, but I rounded up.
I read this for one of my classes on Children’s Library Services. I think the educational aspect of it, giving younger students a way to process how words are created and disseminated across the population until it’s a common, every day word is wonderful. It made a concept that could have been kind of abstract on its own more understandable. The ending was very sweet and moving, as well.
I did, however, have two issues with this book. First is that it made pop culture references that would’ve been understandable to a young reader in 1996, when it was published, but are dated now. In one paragraph, it references David Letterman, People magazine and a children’s magazine called 3-2-1 Contact. I was 4 in 1996. That magazine was suspended in 2001, when I was 9. I have no idea what they’re talking about. That reference would’ve made no sense to me and I was a contemporary of the target audience. David Letterman retired quite some time ago. Kids today might have trouble with some of the references, which dates it a bit (pet peeve of mine).
My other issue is with the principal’s reasoning for wanting to dissuade students from using the word “frindle”. She compares it to students who use the word “ain’t” and says “we can’t have kids walking around saying ain’t, can we?” (pg. 53). You can tell this educator comes from a particular racial and socioeconomic background with her choice of word (and by extension, that the author comes from a certain racial and socioeconomic background). Students who are likely to use the word “ain’t” are probably from a rural area where many of the adults are uneducated or areas where they would be using AAVE. Sentences like this seem discriminatory towards students of low income or African-American backgrounds. And as Nick points out, it IS in the dictionary. It DOES have a proper usage. I just was rubbed the wrong way with that. She isn’t wrong according to the rules of standard English, but regional dialects do have grammatical rules, as well, and that word does follow those rules.
All in all, I understand why many choose to put this book on their curriculum and I did enjoy it.
I read this for one of my classes on Children’s Library Services. I think the educational aspect of it, giving younger students a way to process how words are created and disseminated across the population until it’s a common, every day word is wonderful. It made a concept that could have been kind of abstract on its own more understandable. The ending was very sweet and moving, as well.
I did, however, have two issues with this book. First is that it made pop culture references that would’ve been understandable to a young reader in 1996, when it was published, but are dated now. In one paragraph, it references David Letterman, People magazine and a children’s magazine called 3-2-1 Contact. I was 4 in 1996. That magazine was suspended in 2001, when I was 9. I have no idea what they’re talking about. That reference would’ve made no sense to me and I was a contemporary of the target audience. David Letterman retired quite some time ago. Kids today might have trouble with some of the references, which dates it a bit (pet peeve of mine).
My other issue is with the principal’s reasoning for wanting to dissuade students from using the word “frindle”. She compares it to students who use the word “ain’t” and says “we can’t have kids walking around saying ain’t, can we?” (pg. 53). You can tell this educator comes from a particular racial and socioeconomic background with her choice of word (and by extension, that the author comes from a certain racial and socioeconomic background). Students who are likely to use the word “ain’t” are probably from a rural area where many of the adults are uneducated or areas where they would be using AAVE. Sentences like this seem discriminatory towards students of low income or African-American backgrounds. And as Nick points out, it IS in the dictionary. It DOES have a proper usage. I just was rubbed the wrong way with that. She isn’t wrong according to the rules of standard English, but regional dialects do have grammatical rules, as well, and that word does follow those rules.
All in all, I understand why many choose to put this book on their curriculum and I did enjoy it.
Read it for my son's 'Boys Book Club' at school. Was really good. I like how the story ended 10 years later. Awesome story of how a boy can take what's learned in the classroom, mix it with critical thinking skills and wallah.
Every once in a while I take a break from heavy reading, or a string of stinkers, to read a kid's book. What a pleasant surprise this one turned out to be! A book about words that left me a little teary eyed at the end.