Andrew Clements
Author of the 2.5 Million-Copy Bestseller FRINDLE
Frindle
Nicholas Allen has plenty of ideas. Who can forget the time he turned his third-grade classroom into a tropical island, or the times he fooled his teacher by chirping like a blackbird? But now Nick's in fifth grade, and it looks like his days as a troublemaker are over.
Everyone knows that Mrs. Granger, the language arts teacher, has X-ray vision, and nobody gets away with anything in her classroom. To make matters worse, she's also a fanatic about the dictionary, which is hopelessly boring to Nick. But when Nick learns an interesting tidbit about words and where they come from, it inspires his greatest plan yet: to invent a new word. From now on, a pen is no longer a pen -- it's a frindle.
It doesn't take long for frindle to take root, and soon the excitement spreads well beyond his school and town. His parents and Mrs. Granger would like Nick to put an end to all this nonsense. But frindle doesn't belong to Nick anymore. All he can do now is sit back and watch what happens.
This quirky, imaginative tale about creative thought and the power of words will have readers inventing their own words. Brian Selznick's black-and-white illustrations enhance the humor in this unforgettable story.
Frindle turned ten years old in 2006, and the publisher issued a Tenth Anniversary edition. There are now more than two million copies in print in the United States alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
When I meet readers of Frindle, I am often asked many questions. Here is a collection of Frequently Asked Questions (with some answers as well).
- Q: Where did you get the idea for Frindle?
- Q: How long did it take to write?
- Q: Who illustrated Frindle?
- Q: Will there be a sequel?
- Q: Are the main characters based on people you know?
- Q: Is Frindle available in languages other than English?
- Q: Have you written other books?
- Q: Where can I get a copy of Frindle?
Awards
1997 Christopher Award
Rhode Island Children's Book Award 1998
Judy Lopez Memorial Honor Book (L.A.)Award 97
Great Stone Face Book Award (NH)1997-1998
Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Award (IL)1999
Massachusetts Children's Book Award 1998-1999
William Allen White Children's Book Award (KS)1998-1999
Georgia Children's Book Award, 1998-1999
1998-99 Maud Hart Lovelace Award, MN Youth Rdg. Award
Sasquatch Children's Book Award (WA) 1999
1999 South Dakota Prairie Pasque Award
Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award, (AR)1998-99
Premio Cassa di Risparmio di Cento di Letteratura per Ragazzi, 1998, Cento, Italy
1998-99 Nevada Young Readers'Award
1998-99 North Carolina Children's Choice Award
Pacific NW Lib.Assn.- Young Reader's Choice 1999 (WA,OR,MT,AK,ID,AB,BC)
1999 Texas Children's Crown Award
Young Hoosier Book Award (IN) 1998-99
1998-99 Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award, 4-6
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award 1999-2000
Utah Children's Choice Award, 2000
Award Nominations
Maine Student Book Award 97-98
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award (VT) 97-98
Kentucky Bluegrass Award, 1997-1998
Nebraska Golden Sower Award 98-99
NENE Award (HI)1998
Texas Bluebonnet Award 1998-99
1998 Battle of the Books Reading List (NM)
Arizona Young Readers'Award 1998-99
Sequoyah Children's Book Award, (WA)1998-1999
Virginia Young Readers Award, 1998-1999
West Virginia Children's Book Award, 1998-1999
Sunshine State Young Readers Award, (FL)1998-1999
Wyoming Indian Paintbrush Book Award, 1998-1999
Iowa Children's Choice Award, 1999-2000
California Young Reader Medal, 1999-2000
Garden State Children's Book Award, (NJ)1999
Land of Enchantment Book Award, (NM)1999-2000
Nutmeg Children's Book Award, (CT) 1999-2000
Notations, Listings, Commendations
NY Pub.Lib.- 100 titles for reading & sharing, 1996
Horn Book Magazine Fanfare Book, 1997
Parents' Choice Honor Book, 1997
Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best, 1998
Best Kids Books--Family Fun Magazine, 1998
Indiana Read-Alouds Too Good to Miss 1997-1998
Capitol Choices list, best books for ages 7-10, 1999