1. Junior book - Contemporary Realism.
2. Nick is a unique young student that always has an objective in class, to waste time or cause distractions. Nick meets his match with Mrs. Granger in fifth grade language arts. Nick and Mrs. Granger have a pen to frindle war and to the victor goes the spoil. Well, in this story, everyone is a winner and a learner.
3. Critique
a. The way the author connects the plot to an overall lesson is excellent.
b. The brave and brilliant Nick has a story, and this story connects so well to the idea that teachers have a purpose when they pursue a lesson. Clements does such a brilliant job of connecting this fun story to the lesson of word origins and also how media can bring so much to a small town.
c. A great example of how there is a connection to a lesson, is how, even after 10 years since the invention of frindle, Nick learns something. When Nick received a package from his former 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Granger, he learns that she was with him all along. Teachers are not always the policers in school, sometimes they can be your friends, sidekicks and even root for you when you're in a friendly war.
4. Curriculum connection: I believe this story is great for fifth graders. It would be excellent to bring up the topic of word meanings. When students question why there are so many words, this book can be discussed.