Frindle

Frindle by Andrew Clements

A kid is usually able to get teachers sidetracked by bringing up topics that get them talking. However, their current elementary school teacher will not take the bait. Instead, she asks him to research the topic. He learns that words end up getting their meaning because everyone understands its use for that purpose. He puts it to the test and uses the term "frindle" to refer to a pen. It soon catches on in the class and then the school. The kids get in trouble for using it, but continue to do so. It makes the news coverage and eventually spreads on throughout the nation. A local entrepreneur has trademarked the term and used it to manufacture "frindles". He realizes he needs buy in, so negotiate a licensing agreement from the boy and his family. He later learns (via a letter sealed earlier) that the teacher who had been fighting the use of frindle had actually been supporting him all along. At the end, he donates a large sum of money in the name of the teacher and gives her a special gift. It was a lesson well learned. The book does a nice job of weaving together academic learning with an extreme scenario to make an enjoyable book.                                                                                                                     

Lunch Money

Lunch Money by Andrew Clements

An elementary school kid loves to earn money. He has sold money during the summer. He has done his brothers' chores for money. He has loaned money to others (for a fee). He has tried to sell anything he could. He realized there was a great opportunity at school. At first he bought bulk cheap toys to sell. This worked for a bit, but then ran out of steam. He later hit on a great idea - selling "mini comics". He was hoping to sell a large number. However, he noticed that somebody else was producing comics - a neighbor girl who seems to always invade "his territory" in selling things. They get in a fight in math class that comes to blows, with her hitting him in the nose. The blood also ended up making the math teacher woozy. 

Eventually, they become friends and work together to make comics together. They become friends and enjoy working together. They lobby the school board (with the math teacher) to let them sell comics in the school store. He ends up realizing that there are benefits to do things for purposes other than making the most money.

The Report Card

An elementary student is super smart. However, she has found that being seen as smart is not helpful. She purposely does poorly in school, and has tried to get all Ds. However, things catch up with her. When she has taken an IQ test, she tries to get an "average" score by missing 30% of the questions. Alas, this test was geared towards older kids, and she ends up with aa super high IQ. Meanwhile she also tried to lead a "rebellion" against grades by encouraging everyone in 5th grade to get a 0 on the test. This causes consternation in the school. She is finally able to come up with a conclusion and live happily ever after. There seem to be a few loose threads that never fully get woundup.