Andrew Clements

Andrew Clements (1949–2019) was an American writer, editor, and educator best known for his children’s novel Frindle, a modern classic that has sold over six million copies and won numerous state awards. Born in Camden, New Jersey, he worked as a public school teacher outside Chicago before moving into publishing, where he acquired, edited, and developed children’s books. Beginning with his first picture book Bird Adalbert in 1985, he went on to publish more than eighty books for young readers, including middle-grade novels such as Lunch Money, Room One: A Mystery or Two, The Losers Club, and The Friendship War, as well as the Benjamin Pratt & the Keepers of the School series and picture books like Big Al and Bright Christmas.

Clements wrote across formats—from picture books to chapter books—and was frequently described as a “master of school stories” for his focus on classroom life, teachers, and the everyday dramas of school-aged children. Among his works is the illustrated picture book A Million Dots, which uses playful visuals and text to help young readers grasp the concept of very large numbers and has been recognized with honors such as the Prairie Pasque Award in South Dakota and an SSLI Book Award honor citation. He died on November 28, 2019, in Maine at the age of 70.[