Similes:
* "The dictionary was as big as a telephone book." This compares the size of the dictionary to something familiar to the reader.
* "His hair was as wild as a bird's nest." This compares Nick's unruly hair to a messy bird's nest.
* "The class was as quiet as a tomb." This compares the silence in the classroom to the stillness of a tomb.
Metaphors:
* "The word 'frindle' was a wildfire, spreading through the school." This compares the popularity of the word to a quickly spreading fire.
* "His imagination was a boundless ocean, teeming with possibilities." This compares Nick's creative mind to a vast and limitless ocean.
* "The teacher was a brick wall, refusing to budge." This compares the teacher's inflexibility to an unyielding structure.
Personification:
* "The words on the page seemed to dance before his eyes." This gives the words human-like qualities, making them seem more alive and engaging.
* "The dictionary glared at him from the bookshelf." This assigns the dictionary human-like emotions, suggesting it disapproves of Nick's actions.
* "The pen whispered secrets in his ear." This gives the pen a voice, implying it's a tool that helps Nick express his thoughts.
Hyperbole:
* "His mind was exploding with ideas." This exaggeration emphasizes the overwhelming number of ideas Nick is having.
* "He practiced writing 'frindle' a million times." This exaggeration highlights Nick's dedication to using the word.
* "The whole town was talking about 'frindle'." This exaggerates the word's popularity to emphasize its widespread impact.
Idioms:
* "Nick was in hot water with his teacher." This idiom means Nick was in trouble.
* "He knew he was on thin ice." This idiom means Nick was in a precarious situation.
* "The principal was going to rain on his parade." This idiom means the principal was going to ruin Nick's plans.
These are just a few examples of figurative language used in "Frindle." By using these techniques, Andrew Clements adds depth and color to the story, making it more engaging and memorable for the reader.