Clements grew up in New Jersey and Illinois. He worked as a teacher for seven years after college.

He started by writing the text for picture books, and went on to write children's novels. His first novel, and still one of his best-known works, is Frindle.

He lives in Westborough, Massachusetts, with his wife Rebecca and their four children.

Selected works

In alphabetical order:

• Big Al
• Circus Family Dog
• Double Trouble in Walla Walla
• Frindle
• Grombles Haunted Halloween
• Hey Dad, Could I Borrow Your Hammer
• Krumm's Halloween Treat
• Look Who's in the Thanksgiving Play!
• Music Time, Any Time!
• Snowden
• Stage Fright
• Temple Cat
• The Christmas Kitten
• The Janitor's Boy
• The Landry News
• The Mouse Family
• The Secret Father's Day Present
• Things That Go Eek on Halloween
• Who Owns the Cow?
• Workshop