Synopsis
Imaginative Nicholas Allen stops using the word pen and instead calls that writing instrument a frindle. With Nicholas's encouragement, his friends also begin calling pens frindles. Soon, Nicholas's word is being used all over town much to the disgust of his teacher, Mrs. Granger. Illustrated with b&w drawings.

When he decides to turn his fifth grade teacher's love of the dictionary around on her, clever Nick Allen invents a new word and begins a chain of events that quickly moves beyond his control.

Details
Publication Date:	1998-02-01
Illustrator:	Brian Selznick
Edition Description:	Reprint

Size
Length:	105 pages
Height:	7.8 in
Width:	5.5 in
Thickness:	0.2 in
Weight:	3.2 oz

Publisher's Note
Of all Nick's ideas, the frindle is his most successful. What's a frindle? It's a pen, or what used to be called a pen before Nick began his brilliant campaign. Soon much of the nation is crazy about frindles--except for Mrs. Granger, Nick's teacher, who, although she doesn't realize it, was the inspiration for the idea. Black-and-white illustrations.

Industry Reviews
"This is a refreshingly original plot whose combination of clandestine revolt and language-arts lesson is surprisingly successful. The action is sometimes too adult-driven, and the peripheral characters are easy to lose track of, but Clements keeps the narrative kid-accessible and the tussle with authority gleeful despite its restraint."
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books - Deborah Stevenson (10/19/1996)

"If there's any justice in the world, Clements may have something of a classic on his hands. By turns amusing and adroit, this first novel is also utterly satisfying....With comically realistic black-and-white illustrations by Selznick, this is a captivating tale--one to press upon children, and one they'll be passing among themselves."
Oakes