The Frindle Files by Andrew Clements

What worked:

This book is related to the popular novel Frindle which was published in 1996. It’s an updated version where Paul is a student who loves computers and has a talent for coding. He’s frustrated and aggravated, along with most of his classmates, that his ELA teacher insists their daily writing assignments be handwritten with blue or black ink. Paul knows he’d finish in half the time if he could submit his work electronically. The teacher’s refusal to allow computers and technology prompts Paul to initiate a subtle rebellion.

The book is an updated version of Frindle. It turns out Paul’s teacher, Mr. N, is the student who “invented” the word frindle, a synonym for pen, a generation earlier. No one else is aware of this fact until Paul is forced to tell his best friend Vanessa. He anonymously reveals his knowledge to Mr. N but Paul is confused when his teacher seems upset that a student knows his secret. The situation escalates into a passive-aggressive clash of wills. Paul doesn’t understand why Mr. N doesn’t want anyone to know his secret and Mr. N tries to persuade Paul to remain silent. Paul uses his binary, computer brain to develop a plan to hack his teacher’s program.

The plot morphs into a civil action movement that readers won’t see coming. Paul and Vanessa have strong feelings about right and wrong even when they might be misguided or overemotional. Paul likes to methodically approach problems going step by step while Vanessa wants to jump right into confrontations. A positive trait they both possess is a willingness to reconsider their views as more evidence is gathered. This drive leads them to focus their efforts on a new target that affects the world beyond the school’s walls.

What didn’t work as well:

Paul is the main character but his initial attitude toward Mr. N’s may bother some readers. The idea of frindle in the first book was mischievous and playful but there’s no good reason why Paul needs to mess with his teacher’s secret. It feels wrong as the events unfold until Paul discovers something unexpected that charges his thoughts and directs him toward something with more public interest.

The final verdict:

This book truly is a modernized version of Frindle and I recommend you read it first. The story is heart-warming and describes the tight bond between Mr. N and his students. All middle-grade readers should enjoy this book and I recommend you give it a shot.