Andrew Clements (1) (1949–2019)

What a delightful surprise!

Andrew Clements spins a clever and touching yarn about a mischievous fifth grader whose petty notion to rename pens as "frindles" to peeve his strict teacher pits him in a battle of wills with her and the school administration and garners more attention than he would have thought possible.

It's a terrific and entertaining introduction to first amendment rights, authoritarianism, and civil disobedience.

It may stretch a little too far for its ending, but I was show more enjoying the story so much by then that I happily went along for the ride. show less

What on earth is wrong with me? How is it that I have never read or listened to anything by author Kayley Loring before Troublemaker: The Big Picture Edition? It is the sweetest, funniest, and HOTTEST thing I have enjoyed in a long time. Emilia and Alex are so cute and the attraction is so strong I was surprised their eyes didn’t burst into flame every time they looked at each other.

Emilia is quirky and nerdy and used to be fun but allowed herself to be stuck in a blah, pointless show more relationship for far too long. Her boyfriend was critical, demanding – and boring. Break up, get back together, rinse and repeat far too many times. Until Emilia has had enough for the last, last time – she, her friends and family and all us readers hope – and follows her dream to teach elementary school in Los Angeles. She’s staying with her fabulously flamboyant friend Franklin who convinces her to dress up and step out. Off to a club they go. Franklin promised to stay by her side but disappears into the crowd with this hot guy and Emilia is left standing alone.

And let the mesmerizing begin.

Alex is a hot, handsome, very successful director, the youngest Tony nominee for Best Direction in history and single dad to 7-year old Ryder. He’s only at the club because he agreed to celebrate the birthday of an old friend, and because his two best friends will be there. Best friends who are happily married and about to go home to their waiting wives. Alex is in a funk – or something. In his ‘inspiration journal’ he describes his current mood as wistful, as characterized by melancholy, longing, yearning. Or maybe he’s ready to fall in love. Or maybe he needs a beer. Or maybe . . . . Whatever he needs, it’s not being here in this club where nothing and no one interests him. Until this very attractive woman – like a sexy librarian, glasses and all – catches his eye.

Let the mesmerizing continue.

They talk, and they dance, and they kiss. And kiss. The banter is priceless. The chemistry and tension are so thick you can almost see it. The kiss? Who thought a kiss could be like that. Just as he’s about to offer to take her anywhere – anywhere at all, just to be near her – the alcohol in her system decides it wants out; the room starts spinning and she makes a mad dash for the ladies’ room. Yes, she’s embarrassed but she sure hopes Hot Dad (later known as Hot Dad from Vomit Night) is there when she gets back to the dance floor. But he’s gone. Maybe it’s for the best; it’s too soon for her to get involved with anyone. But holey moley, she can’t get him out of her mind.

Alex can’t forget her either. But life goes on. And life with Ryder is never boring. Especially when his new second grade teacher starts sending annoying emails and homework assignments to the parents. Or when she requests a meeting with “Ryder’s father” because Ryder is a constant talker and a little bit of a disruptive troublemaker in class. Well, Alex will put this uptight woman in her place. No one had better criticize Ryder. Ryder is amazing.

Well, we all know where this is going, don’t we? “Alejandro” and “Emmy” from the club are actually Alex the director dad and Emilia the schoolteacher. He almost doesn’t recognize her in her schoolmarm outfit, but when he does – whoa. She can barely put two words together in his presence. To say they have a strong connection, attraction, chemistry would be putting it mildly. What they have is fire and they are about to combust. I could describe every anecdote, every scene: the observatory, the school play, the library, gelato, Ryder’s attempts at matchmaking, the dating profile, the unwritten school rules, the futility of resistance, but what you really need to know is that you must to stop whatever you are doing and start reading and listening right this very minute.

Author Kayley Loring’s plot, pace, characters, quotes, literary references are perfect. This is one of those books that the minute you reach ‘The End’ you flip back to the beginning and start again. Knowing what’s coming just makes it better. And the narration? Out of this world. Erin Mallon as Emilia: so expressive, hilariously funny, awkward, out of control, head over heels. J. F. Harding’s low-key, droll portrayal of Alex is just as you would expect: witty words but overwhelmed with desire and conflicted longing. And every time he says the word in a book I will declare every time that nobody – nobody – says ‘Baby” like J. F. Harding. Emma Wilder must really be a 7-year-old boy because her Ryder is enchanting and spot-on. And who wouldn’t want Teddy Hamilton and Jason Clarke to pop in as supporting cast?

I received an advance audio copy of Troublemaker and purchased the eBook. This story is heartwarming, funny and delightful. I laughed so much at times I was almost crying. And when Alex thought to himself “This woman is mine. I want to do all the things, with and to and for her. Into next year and beyond,” I actually was crying. Must read and must listen to everything by this author. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own. show less

This is a wonderful children's novel, recommended to me by a friend. Twelve-year-old Natalie has written a short novel, and her best friend Zoe is convinced it should be published. Natalie's mother is an editor working in a publishing house, but Natalie doesn't want her to be biased... so the girls enlist the help of their English teacher, invent pseudonyms for themselves, and work out how to get the book into Natalie's mother's hands.

The characterisation is excellent, contrasting the quiet show more Natalie who lacks confidence and the outgoing, sometimes pushy Zoe; it's this contrast which moves the story along, making it difficult to put down, even though some of the ideas the girls have seem rather far-fetched when I think about it now. It's educational in a low-key kind of way, covering as it does the processes required to get a book published, including the legal contracts and publicity. There are are one or two less likeable, caricatured people - Natalie's mother's boss springs to mind - and while it isn't a humorous novel, there's a light-hearted feel to it which made me smile in places.

It's more than just the story of Natalie's novel; there are themes to be explored, such as office rivalry, and coming to terms with the loss of a parent, as well as the importance of standing up for one's dreams. Intended for approximate ages 8-12, this would probably appeal to some teenagers too... and parents! Highly recommended. show less

Nick Allen was not, by his own admission, one of the bad kids, the good kids, or the smart kids. He was entirely himself, an individual with a keen sense of humor and an original mind. Disinclined toward doing lots of work, he tangled with his fifth-grade Language Arts teacher, Mrs. Granger, and found himself researching dictionaries, and the origins of words. Taking to heart the idea that meaning is created by all of a language's speakers, he creates a new word for pen - 'frindle' - that show more soon catches on at his school. But is he ready for the conflict with Mrs. Granger and other authority figures that this will ignite...?

First published in 1996, and a perennial favorite since then, Frindle is an immensely engaging story, one that is both humorous and heartwarming, and one that encourages young readers to think about the power of words, and of the speaker's role in using (or creating) them. I imagine that quite a few budding linguists got their start with Andrew Clements' book. Nick is an appealing character, a real boy with plenty of good qualities but some weaknesses as well. I thought the author's depiction of his withdrawal into himself, after achieving fame - his timidity, upon discovering his own power - was quite perceptive. I also thought the depiction of Mrs. Granger was spot on - I too have known people who seem quite daunting, but whose respect can be won through honest and principles opposition, rather than thoughtless capitulation. Recommended to children - early chapter-book range, I would say - looking for fun and thought-provoking school stories. show less