Frindle

Though Nick looks exactly the same on the outside, his experience with "frindle" makes him fear his big ideas a little bit. When he learns that people who buy things are called consumers and that consumers can put stores and restaurants out of business by not buying things, he immediately thinks of the horrendous food at the school cafeteria. He reasons that the students are all consumers and the cafeteria is a restaurant of sorts, and comes up with a plan to encourage kids to bring lunches from home until the quality of food improves at the cafeteria.

However, Nick remembers what happened with "frindle," and he fears that people will figure out that it was his idea to boycott the cafeteria food. He thinks that anything could happen and worries about getting in trouble, so he doesn't tell anyone about his idea. Mrs. Allen notices Nick looking sad and down, but he tells her that everything is fine. Mrs. Granger notices the change in Nick too. She thinks that Nick is now quiet, careful, and doesn't laugh or joke with his friends anymore.

Near the end of the school year, Nick remembers the letter that Mrs. Granger wrote. He figures that she forgot about it since she never gave it to him, and he's too afraid to bring it up. On the last day of school, he works up his nerve and goes to talk to Mrs. Granger after seventh period. She's happy to see him and says that his visit will save her from having to mail him a letter later. When Nick says he came for the letter, Mrs. Granger reminds him that she promised he'd get it when the whole thing is over—and it's not over. She says that Nick will know when it's over.

Mrs. Granger approaches Nick. They're almost the same height, and Nick notices that her eyes are soft but still powerful. She remarks that she's noticed how quiet Nick has been and tells him that he didn't do anything wrong. Mrs. Granger says that his idea was a good one, and she's been generally proud of the way that he handled everything. She tells Nick that he'll go on to do great things, and he shouldn't let a few difficult days slow him down. She shakes Nick's hand, looks him straight in the eye, and tells him to have a good summer. As Nick leaves, he wishes Mrs. Granger a good summer and reminds her to buy new frindles for next year.

Because of Mrs. Granger's talk, Nick is able to find pride in what he did with "frindle." He enjoys thinking about the commotion he caused and as he progresses through school, he continues to have big ideas. In seventh grade, his big idea to improve the cafeteria food results in delicious meals and a visit from the state superintendent, who is interested to learn why Westfield has the most successful lunch program in the state. The narrator explains that Nick did many more things, but the end of this particular story about Nick takes place ten years later. During those ten years, "frindle" becomes a real word.