Review: The Frindle Files

By Andrew Clements

New York: Random House, 2024. Fiction. 198 pages.

In 1996 Andrew Clements wrote a story about a kid who invented the word “frindle” (another word for “pen.”) The Frindle Files is the sequel that takes place many years later.

Josh is a student in Mr. N’s class. He and his friends can’t stand the fact that Mr. N makes them all write their homework down on paper with a “blue or black pen” and “neatness counts.” Josh is a computer geek and loves to do all his homework on the computer. In the midst of trying to find a way to make Mr. N accept the students' desire to do homework online, Josh comes across some information about Mr. N that links him to the word “frindle.” Now Josh and his best friend must decide what to do with the information and if they are willing to stand up to Mr. N’s antiquated way of doing homework.

Kids who love the original book will highly enjoy this new edition. It is a continuation to the story in that it shows what has become of Nick Allen while still creating a whole new story that is connected to how kids learn and work in schools today (Josh and his classmates all check out Chromebooks for their homework.) Kids who love technology, figuring out how to get around their teachers (in a respectful way), and trying to discover what to do as they navigate school will all love this story. And the parents who grew up loving the original one will love to connect with their readers about the continuation of the story they treasured.

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