Andrew Clements’ FRINDLE published in 1996, readers loved it and clamored for more. In 2019, shortly before his death, Clements sent in a draft of the FRINDLE FILES to Random House and it took until 2024 before a team there, working with his family, finally finished this sequel and readers, whether they did or didn’t read the first, will not be disappointed.

Sixth grader Josh Willett loves to game, to code using Python, and in general, likes school just fine, except that his English teacher, Mr. N., is a little on the odd side with his Hawaiian shirts, goofy dance moves, a total aversion to using technology of any kind and, to top it all off, an obsession with a grammar book, Elements of Style, written by Strunk and White. But a chance discovery of Mr. N’s secret past and a chance to get technology into English sets Josh and his best friend Vanessa on a path oddly reminiscent of their teacher’s middle school exploit.

Excellent meshing of events from the first book and those in this sequel and neither will require the reading of the other but enjoyment will be enhanced if both are read in some order. Along with Josh’s efforts to unmask his teacher as well as force him to embrace technology, he eventually discovers a project dealing with pirating authors’ work, the downfalls of some technology use,and the value of good writing and none of the “lessons” embedded in the entertaining book come across as preachy but maybe they will sink into readers’ minds at least a little bit.

FRINDLE FILES is free of profanity, sexual content and violence and is targeted at readers in grades 4 through anyone who loved FRINDLE at some point in their life.

What a great follow-up to one of my favorite middle grade novels, and one of my most recommended as a children’s librarian. This was Clements’s final gift to readers before he passed away in 2019- it was nearly completed. This story is fresh and modern, but true to the beloved classic in its respect for young students, their intelligence, and their quest to make their mark. This was a true treat!

I have read Frindle with my fourth graders countless times over the years, so I was excited to see this book! I loved all the allusions to the OG. I felt very nostalgic throughout the book and would recommend that anyone that read and loved Frindle, read this as well.

I absolutely loved this sequel to one of my all time favorite books. Frindle has held such a special place in my heart since reading it as a middle schooler. The sequel was wonderful. 10/10 would recommend. I'm even doing a Frindle book club at my library.

It has been a while since I've read Frindle, but that didn't even matter. This is a fun read, and I know that kids will love it! If they haven't read Frindle yet, they'll definitely want to! The audio version is really well done too.

I recall the first time I read "Frindle," and I also recall how my students loved it, so I was very excited about this sequel (twenty-five years later). It is such a heartwarming story, and those who haven't read "Frindle" can still thoroughly enjoy this book and its timely content. This book is a prime example of how anyone, including students, can stand up what they believe in and make a difference. This book also has a key theme of technology and when it is appropriate, and relevant, to be used. While it is not required to read the books in order, it is beneficial to get a full appreciation for both stories. Readers will be able to see Nick, from "Frindle," in Josh. This book is a great teaching tool to demonstrate how our words have power. "The Frindle Files" also shows the connection between writing and coding, making it relevant for today's tech-savvy students. The pros and cons of social media are also addressed.

I don't give out a lot of five-star reviews, but this one is totally deserving of that rating!

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

In “The Frindle Files,” Andrew Clements returns to the world of his beloved classic, “Frindle,” with a fresh and timely narrative that captures the essence of language, technology, and youthful curiosity. This long-awaited follow-up introduces us to Josh Willet.

Set a generation after the events of “Frindle,” “The Frindle Files” explores the evolving landscape of communication in the digital age. Josh’s frustration with his teacher’s strict no-tech policy sets the stage for a compelling story about the power of words and imagination. 

Clements masterfully weaves themes of innovation, resistance to change, and the enduring impact of language. The novel delves into the tension between traditional learning methods and modern technology, highlighting the importance of balance and the value of both approaches.

Josh Willet is a relatable protagonist for today’s readers. His passion for gaming and technology is juxtaposed with his growing appreciation for the written word. The supporting characters, including his friends and the enigmatic ELA teacher, add depth and diversity to the narrative. 

Clements’s writing is as engaging and accessible as ever. His ability to capture the voice of young readers while addressing complex themes is commendable. The dialogue is authentic, and the pacing keeps readers hooked from start to finish. The blend of humor and heart makes “The Frindle Files” a delightful read for both children and adults.

“The Frindle Files” is a fitting tribute to Andrew Clements’s legacy as a master storyteller. 
Whether you’re a longtime fan of Clements or new to his work, “The Frindle Files” is sure to leave a lasting impression. It’s a testament to the enduring magic of storytelling and the ever-evolving nature of language.

I was so glad to see Nick’s story continue. It was lovely to see him turn into a great teacher using his experience.

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.

What a wonderful gift Andrew Clements gave us in this sequel to Frindle. Getting to read about the older people from the first book, written so many years ago, and find a whole new set of kids to enjoy was a real treat.

A standalone sequel to the well loved book Frindle, The Frindle Files continues the story of a young man trying to make a point. Children of all ages will love this book. It is mysterious, silly, and highly relatable.

Josh Willet is a computer nerd. He loves writing code and playing games, so his traditional language arts teacher, Mr. N’s class is a struggle. Josh doesn’t understand why everything has to be handwritten when it is so much easier to use the computer. He also doesn’t understand his teachers obsession with The Elements of Style.

One day while completing his homework Josh discovers a secret that shocks him. The secret sends him on a search for the truth and a campaign to get screens back in his classroom. Will his plan work or will his teacher win?

A lovely conclusion to the 1998 classic Frindle, this book had me cheering for a young boy with a point to prove and his passionate teacher. It was very nostalgic for me to return to a familiar character and to meet some new faces.

I was so grateful to receive an ARC from NetGalley. I truly loved this book and enjoyed how it tackled tech topics with humor and appreciation. I can’t wait to recommend it to young readers.

Frindle fans rejoice. The sequel is out today! Andrew Clements may have passed, but he left us with a draft of this new release. Thanks to his family and editors, we can all enjoy a second chapter to this engaging story.🖊

This can be read as a standalone, but readers who fondly remember the first book will definitely enjoy a richer book experience. The power of words is still going strong with the addition of a smart board, Nick Allen as a grown up, and the hunt for an internet pirate. 🏴‍☠

I must say I enjoyed this one even more than the first one. Perhaps reading them back to back was the reason for my amazing experience. Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

Frindle is an all-time favorite for so many readers. The empowering message has resonated for years. The idea of a sequel brought so many questions, especially the question of living up to the memory while updating it for students today. The Frindle Files maintains the spirit of the Frindle with Josh now raising questions in his classroom wanting to use technology instead of pen and ink. The connections to Nick and Frindle are enjoyable while we see students advocating in a new way. Losing Clements was a blow for the library world, so having this posthumous addition is a gift to his fans.

I read Andrew Clement’s original ’ Frindle while choosing books for my school library. I was struck not just by the concept of kids creating a new word but the basic decency of the characters. Now more than a quarter century after Frindle was published and five years after the death of Clements himself, a sequel to that classic has been published, and I’m happy to say the new work is a worthy successor to the original.
As one would expect, in this story technology plays a big part while the emphasis still remains on language. Clements also incorporates a mystery as the two starring six graders dig into their English teacher’s background to figure out why he is so opposed to using computers and the internet. Along the way readers get a great and painless course in writing effectively. Who would think The Elements of Style, original published in 1918, could ever play a pivotal role in modern Middle School fiction?
It is a special gift to have the opportunity to read a new book after an author’s passing. It is even more special that the book is a final tribute to a great children’s author.

Finding a Frindle sequel? Yes! The original has long been a favorite of my classes. The idea that a child could create something that spread across the country has an appeal. And this is before people just went viral for almost anything. I was so excited to read it.

I think it might not have been everything that the original was for me, but I enjoyed it a lot. I could see my students finishing Frindle in class and wanting to get to the library to get a copy of this book. Some of the time it seemed to be a rehash of the original. When it veered away and became its own thing, I really got into it.

Frindle is a classic. It means so much to so many readers. We are incredibly lucky to have this final book from Mr. Clements.

This was a really satisfying sequel to a beloved book! Doesn't quite capture the magic of the first one, but does really well considering all of the time and everything in between.

If you or your children/students loved Frindle by Andrew Clements, you’ll want to get your hands (or ears) on The Frindle Files. In this Frindle follow-up, a boy named Josh is frustrated because his ELA teacher maintains a technology-free zone in his classroom. No laptops, Chromebooks, or phones are allowed. His teacher, Mr. N, doesn’t even use a SmartBoard! After finding out that the e-book version of the class textbook has been pirated and is full of errors, Josh sets out to find out more about how this happened. He’s also on a mission to find out how his tech-averse teacher knows so much about technology. This story was a pure delight full of nostalgia for Frindle and its cast of characters. It also reminds teachers of the power of the written word and the teachers who bring the love of language into our lives. The Frindle Files is Andrew Clement’s final book and it’s a great one!

Thank you to Random House Children’s, Random House Books for Young Readers, NetGalley, and LibroFM’s Educator ALC program for review copies of the ebook and audiobook.

Another teacher vs student book! Last book from Andrew Clement’s, very enjoyable.

Revisiting a classic from my elementary school years was definitely a 5/5 experience. I loved the teacher and student aspect and the lesson of how powerful words can be staying strong, but it still missed the mark for me in some places, mainly the technology aspect.

eARC provided by publisher via NetGalley

Frindle has a special place in my teacher heart. Thank you NetGalley for providing an ARC of Andrew Clement’s last book. It was a wonderful sequel and I hope kids will find the same sort of connection as they did with Frindle. Every student deserves a teacher who challenges them and shares the gift of words.

I loved this book! I read it in one sitting! It held all the charms that his past books with the added bonus of having returning characters. Being a librarian I will recommend this book to all my students! I have enjoyed every book that I have read by Andrew Clements and this one is no exception. It is a sequel to his book Frindle.