One word can start a revolution when a student decides to challenge the rules of language.
Andrew Clements introduced the world to Nick Allen and his creative rebellion in the classic Frindle, which now serves as the foundation for a two-book series that bridges generations. In the first book, fifth-grader Nick decides to rename a simple pen a “frindle,” sparking a battle of wits with his formidable language arts teacher, Mrs. Granger. What begins as a classroom prank quickly spirals into a national phenomenon, exploring how words gain meaning and how a teacher’s strictness can sometimes hide deep encouragement. The story continues a generation later in The Frindle Files, where a new student named Josh Willett encounters a mysterious, tech-averse teacher who has a surprising connection to the original frindle story.
This series is an excellent fit for students who are building their English proficiency or those who find dense novels intimidating. The plot of Frindle is driven by clear, relatable concepts—the power of words and the dynamics of a classroom—making it easy for readers to follow the central conflict without getting lost in overly complex subplots. Because The Frindle Files functions as a thematic and character-based companion, it offers a natural progression for students who have just found success with the first book. Returning to a familiar world where the “frindle” legacy is already established gives reluctant readers a head start, as they don’t have to learn an entirely new set of rules or contexts from scratch. This continuity helps build momentum and confidence, allowing students to focus on the mystery of Josh’s teacher while feeling like “insiders” who already know the secret history of the school.
Total Books in Series: 2 Best Starting Point: Frindle
