Module 7: Realistic Fiction-Frindle

Module 7: Realistic Fiction

Book: Frindle

Author: Andrew Clements

Illustrator: Brian Selznick

Plot

            ‘Frindle’ is a made-up alternative word for ‘pen’ that Nicholas Allen-the resident fifth grader who marches to beat of his own drum and owns it-creates while under Mrs. Granger’s regime. As ‘Frindle’ starts in the classroom it becomes like wildfire and burns its way through the school and eventually to world outside of school walls. ‘Frindle’ no longer belongs to Nicholas Allen but rather to those who choose to use the word and, when he is asked to stop the fire trail of his invention, it is like Dr. Frakenstein trying to stop his Creature; impossible. But, unlike Frankenstein, Nicholas Allen does not suffer from his invention but glorifies in it and is rewarded with fame and fortune. Creation is neither good or bad for the imagination stems from a power that cannot decipher from good or evil; power….energy is simply that and Nicholas’ power, as mischievous as it is, is the belief that all things can become real with some planning and cunning….and having a great teacher who pushes you and gets you thinking is good too.

Impressions of the book

I love this book. I love how unrealistically realistic the book is and love how the protagonist is lovable and antagonist-whom we believe to be Mrs. Granger but may actually be the norms of society-becomes a driving force that pushes the novel to how it ends. The story could very easily be about Steve Jobs and his Apple ideas or John Lasseter and his Pixar movement…this book, 18 years ago may have been a silly book but now, as I read it again, I have realized that this book was written exactly for the Jobs and Lasseters of the world. With that in mind, I would like to remind all of us that ‘bootiliscious’ is also in the dictionary. Creativity doesn’t need to be on the level of genius; it can also come from an artistic level.

Usage in a Library Setting

            I would challenge the readers to create their own words and ask them to create a situation where they would use the word and why. The day would simply be about creation and invention and we would also look into history’s greatest inventors and do some discussion on them.

Review

“The author has created a fresh, imaginative plot that will have readers smiling all the way through, if not laughing out loud. Nick, a champion time-waster, faces the challenge of his life when confronted with the toughest teacher in school, Mrs. Granger. Always counted on to filibuster the impending test or homework assignment away, Nick has met his match in "Dangerous Grangerous," who can spot a legitimate question in a second and has no patience with the rest. In answer to "Like, who says that d-o-g means the thing that goes 'woof' and wags its tail? Who says so?" she replies, "You do, Nicholas. You and me and everyone in this class and this school and this town and this state and this country." And thus is born frindle, Nick's new name for pen, promising and delivering a classic student-teacher battle along the lines of — but far funnier than — Avi's Nothing But the Truth (Orchard). The battle assumes the proportions of a tall tale, and although outrageous and hilarious, it's all plausible, and every bit works from the premise to the conclusion. The brisk narration is rapid-fire, and Nick is one of the most charming troublemakers since Soup. The merchandising future of this one is too terrible to contemplate; the cutting-edge gift this Christmas has got to be a frindle.”- By Elizabeth S. Watson

APA Citations

Clements, A., & Selznick, B. (1996). Frindle. New York, N.Y: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

E.S.W. (1996). Frindle. Horn Book Magazine, 72(6), 732-733.