What do you think?
Rate this book
No Talking
It’s boys vs. girls when the noisiest, most talkative, and most competitive fifth graders in history challenge one another to see who can go longer without talking. Teachers and school administrators are in an uproar, until an innovative teacher sees how the kids’ experiment can provide a terrific and unique lesson in communication. In No Talking, Andrew Clements portrays a battle of wills between some spunky kids and a creative teacher with the perfect pitch for elementary school life that made Frindle an instant classic.
Audio CD
First published January 1, 2007
590 people are currently reading
5023 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Clements
189 books2,177 followersI was born in Camden, New Jersey in 1949 and lived in Oaklyn and Cherry Hill until the middle of sixth grade. Then we moved to Springfield, Illinois. My parents were avid readers and they gave that love of books and reading to me and to all my brothers and sisters. I didn’t think about being a writer at all back then, but I did love to read. I'm certain there's a link between reading good books and becoming a writer. I don't know a single writer who wasn’t a reader first.
Before moving to Illinois, and even afterwards, our family spent summers at a cabin on a lake in Maine. There was no TV there, no phone, no doorbell—and email wasn’t even invented. All day there was time to swim and fish and mess around outside, and every night, there was time to read. I know those quiet summers helped me begin to think like a writer.
During my senior year at Springfield High School my English teacher handed back a poem I’d written. Two things were amazing about that paper. First, I’d gotten an A—a rare event in this teacher’s class. And she’d also written in large, scrawly red writing, “Andrew—this poem is so funny. This should be published!”
That praise sent me off to Northwestern University feeling like I was a pretty good writer, and occasionally professors there also encouraged me and complimented the essays I was required to write as a literature major. But I didn’t write much on my own—just some poetry now and then. I learned to play guitar and began writing songs, but again, only when I felt like it. Writing felt like hard work—something that’s still true today.
After the songwriting came my first job in publishing. I worked for a small publisher who specialized in how-to books, the kind of books that have photos with informative captions below each one. The book in which my name first appeared in print is called A Country Christmas Treasury. I’d built a number of the projects featured in the book, and I was listed as one of the “craftspeople”on the acknowlegements page, in tiny, tiny type.
In 1990 I began trying to write a story about a boy who makes up a new word. That book eventually became my first novel, Frindle, published in 1996, and you can read the whole story of how it developed on another web site, frindle.com. Frindle became popular, more popular than any of my books before or since—at least so far. And it had the eventual effect of turning me into a full-time writer.
I’ve learned that I need time and a quiet place to think and write. These days, I spend a lot of my time sitting in a small shed about seventy feet from my back door at our home in Massachusetts. There’s a woodstove in there for the cold winters, and an air conditioner for the hot summers. There’s a desk and chair, and I carry a laptop computer back and forth. But there’s no TV, no phone, no doorbell, no email. And the woodstove and the pine board walls make the place smell just like that cabin in Maine where I spent my earliest summers.
Sometimes kids ask how I've been able to write so many books. The answer is simple: one word at a time. Which is a good lesson, I think. You don't have to do everything at once. You don't have to know how every story is going to end. You just have to take that next step, look for that next idea, write that next word. And growing up, it's the same way. We just have to go to that next class, read that next chapter, help that next person. You simply have to do that next good thing, and before you know it, you're living a good life.
Before moving to Illinois, and even afterwards, our family spent summers at a cabin on a lake in Maine. There was no TV there, no phone, no doorbell—and email wasn’t even invented. All day there was time to swim and fish and mess around outside, and every night, there was time to read. I know those quiet summers helped me begin to think like a writer.
During my senior year at Springfield High School my English teacher handed back a poem I’d written. Two things were amazing about that paper. First, I’d gotten an A—a rare event in this teacher’s class. And she’d also written in large, scrawly red writing, “Andrew—this poem is so funny. This should be published!”
That praise sent me off to Northwestern University feeling like I was a pretty good writer, and occasionally professors there also encouraged me and complimented the essays I was required to write as a literature major. But I didn’t write much on my own—just some poetry now and then. I learned to play guitar and began writing songs, but again, only when I felt like it. Writing felt like hard work—something that’s still true today.
After the songwriting came my first job in publishing. I worked for a small publisher who specialized in how-to books, the kind of books that have photos with informative captions below each one. The book in which my name first appeared in print is called A Country Christmas Treasury. I’d built a number of the projects featured in the book, and I was listed as one of the “craftspeople”on the acknowlegements page, in tiny, tiny type.
In 1990 I began trying to write a story about a boy who makes up a new word. That book eventually became my first novel, Frindle, published in 1996, and you can read the whole story of how it developed on another web site, frindle.com. Frindle became popular, more popular than any of my books before or since—at least so far. And it had the eventual effect of turning me into a full-time writer.
I’ve learned that I need time and a quiet place to think and write. These days, I spend a lot of my time sitting in a small shed about seventy feet from my back door at our home in Massachusetts. There’s a woodstove in there for the cold winters, and an air conditioner for the hot summers. There’s a desk and chair, and I carry a laptop computer back and forth. But there’s no TV, no phone, no doorbell, no email. And the woodstove and the pine board walls make the place smell just like that cabin in Maine where I spent my earliest summers.
Sometimes kids ask how I've been able to write so many books. The answer is simple: one word at a time. Which is a good lesson, I think. You don't have to do everything at once. You don't have to know how every story is going to end. You just have to take that next step, look for that next idea, write that next word. And growing up, it's the same way. We just have to go to that next class, read that next chapter, help that next person. You simply have to do that next good thing, and before you know it, you're living a good life.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,406 reviews
November 5, 2010
Andrew Clements does it again! I loved this story of a group of fifth-graders who, divided into boys vs. girls, hold a 3-day "no talking" contest. They limit themselves to 3-word phrases or sentences, only to be used with teachers; communication with everyone else must be done by writing, gestures, mime, facial expressions, or sign language. Team captains keep points of everyone who speaks a word over the 3-word limit, and the team with the least number of points wins. What fascinated me about this was Clements' description of how the students learned new forms of communication with each other, and how it caused them to really listen, pay attention, and think in new ways. I thought this was a great experiment and would love to try it myself some time. I was also intrigued by the idea that some teachers' methods of discipline/communication with their students could be construed by the students as a form of bullying. Fortunately, the principal who was "bullying" realized the error of her ways. All in all, a novel with LOTS to talk about, in 3-word segments or more. Highly recommended!!
May 15, 2020
I lowkey wanna try not talking for a day now. I wonder if any kids read this book and tried to do this at their school.
December 18, 2010
In the book NO talking by: ANDREW CLEMENTS THERES a boy named Dave Packer, Dave is in fifth grade. Dave goes to Laketon Elementary school .The fifth graders are the noisiest in there school. For an assignment Dave had to read about Gandhi, Dave thought Gandhi was really interesting .It was amazing in one part of the book it said: for many years ,one day each week Gandhi did not speak at all. Gandhi believed this was a way to bring order to his mind. The next day [at lunch] Dave had an idea. Dave said “okay here’s the deal a whole day without talking. Not in the class, not in the halls, not on the playground .NO talking at all its boys vs. girls". ”What about at our house” said Lynsey Burgess [another fifth grader]. ”Nope you can’t talk there either” said Dave.”The limit is three words” said Dave. This contest went on for a while, some of the teachers even got into it.
I like the book No Talking because it’s about girls vs. boys , and kids going to elementary school, and I go to elementary school and of course boys do things where they vs. girls. I also like No Talking because the girls and the boys really don’t like each other; they call each other losers and dummies.
I think the lesson in No Talking is boys are not better than girls, and girls are not better than boys!!! I like the lesson in No Talking because sometimes boys say there better than girls, but girls don’t think that. Girls think there better, but boys don’t think that.
I like the book No Talking because it’s about girls vs. boys , and kids going to elementary school, and I go to elementary school and of course boys do things where they vs. girls. I also like No Talking because the girls and the boys really don’t like each other; they call each other losers and dummies.
I think the lesson in No Talking is boys are not better than girls, and girls are not better than boys!!! I like the lesson in No Talking because sometimes boys say there better than girls, but girls don’t think that. Girls think there better, but boys don’t think that.
March 4, 2012
This was better than I thought it was going to be. Yes, it was a kids book. But it had some pretty fun things about learning to communicate, to accept others, to work together, to admit when you're wrong....and it wasn't just the kids in the story learning.
I really liked some of the ideas about words and thinking. It was a quick read. Why not?
I really liked some of the ideas about words and thinking. It was a quick read. Why not?
April 17, 2013
One of the most enjoyable children's books I've read - clever, funny, meaningful and straightforward, with a real message about language and stereotypes, self-control and standing up for yourself. Led to some wonderful, excited conversation in the children's book club I lead. A quick and wonderful read for kids and adults alike!
August 12, 2017
(Reread) Fun book! Still one of my favorite Andrew Clements books.
November 19, 2015
English 6(1)
Good Reads #2
Kristen Mitri
No Talking is an exciting novel written by Andrew Clements.This story takes place in Laketon Elementary when the main character, Dave Packer lives with his family.The story begins when Dave is trying to stay quiet for the whole day because of a book he read about Mahatma Gandhi and how he pushed the British army away with his words not violence.A problem arose when Dave challenges the girls to a no talking contest to see if the boys and the girls can keep their mouths shut for two days by only saying three words at a time.The first thing Dave had to do was to convince the boys to do it so that they can prove to the girls that they can do it and beat them.Next, he had to make sure that none of the boys say more than three words so that they don’t lose.Finally, Dave had to make sure that the teachers and the principal didn’t know about the contest so that they wouldn’t make them stop the contest.In order to win the contest the boys had to annoy the girls to make them shout or scream anything,in the playground the boys went to any girls that they could find and started annoying them by using their mouth.Lastly, Dave had to keep track of how many words the girls spoke so that at the end of the two days they could count them up to see who won the contest.
The main character is Dave Packer.He is a very talkative person who blurts out anything that is on his mind at any time .Dave treats the boys nicely but he treats the girls badly because he doesn’t like them .Dave grows and changes throughout the story.At the beginning of the story, Dave didn’t like interacting with the girls at all but because the contest happens, Dave becomes a very mature young adult.From the actions of the main character, the reader learns that you have to try new things because otherwise you won’t experience life hanging things.All of this made the plot of the story interesting to read because you didn’t know who was going to win so that made you want to read more.
The most exciting episode of this story is when the whole school decides to join the contest, grade versus grade because at first none thought it was a good idea to try out.However, the most disappointing moment in the story happened when the principal started yelling at the students because they weren’t talking loud enough after she told them the contest was over.I would recommend this book to third grade all the way to middle school because it’s appropriate and enjoyable for almost all grades to read.I think that these students would enjoy it because it has a lot of comedy in the book and it makes your eyes attached to the book.
Good Reads #2
Kristen Mitri
No Talking is an exciting novel written by Andrew Clements.This story takes place in Laketon Elementary when the main character, Dave Packer lives with his family.The story begins when Dave is trying to stay quiet for the whole day because of a book he read about Mahatma Gandhi and how he pushed the British army away with his words not violence.A problem arose when Dave challenges the girls to a no talking contest to see if the boys and the girls can keep their mouths shut for two days by only saying three words at a time.The first thing Dave had to do was to convince the boys to do it so that they can prove to the girls that they can do it and beat them.Next, he had to make sure that none of the boys say more than three words so that they don’t lose.Finally, Dave had to make sure that the teachers and the principal didn’t know about the contest so that they wouldn’t make them stop the contest.In order to win the contest the boys had to annoy the girls to make them shout or scream anything,in the playground the boys went to any girls that they could find and started annoying them by using their mouth.Lastly, Dave had to keep track of how many words the girls spoke so that at the end of the two days they could count them up to see who won the contest.
The main character is Dave Packer.He is a very talkative person who blurts out anything that is on his mind at any time .Dave treats the boys nicely but he treats the girls badly because he doesn’t like them .Dave grows and changes throughout the story.At the beginning of the story, Dave didn’t like interacting with the girls at all but because the contest happens, Dave becomes a very mature young adult.From the actions of the main character, the reader learns that you have to try new things because otherwise you won’t experience life hanging things.All of this made the plot of the story interesting to read because you didn’t know who was going to win so that made you want to read more.
The most exciting episode of this story is when the whole school decides to join the contest, grade versus grade because at first none thought it was a good idea to try out.However, the most disappointing moment in the story happened when the principal started yelling at the students because they weren’t talking loud enough after she told them the contest was over.I would recommend this book to third grade all the way to middle school because it’s appropriate and enjoyable for almost all grades to read.I think that these students would enjoy it because it has a lot of comedy in the book and it makes your eyes attached to the book.
August 10, 2021
Scribd.com English text, and translation for Portuguese + audio in English from Google Translate.
Synopsys: "In No Talking, Andrew Clements portrays a battle of wills between some spunky kids and a creative teacher with the perfect pitch for elementary school life that made Frindle an instant classic.
It’s boys vs. girls when the noisiest, most talkative, and most competitive fifth graders in history challenge one another to see who can go longer without talking. Teachers and school administrators are in an uproar, until an innovative teacher sees how the kids’ experiment can provide a terrific and unique lesson in communication."
Synopsys: "In No Talking, Andrew Clements portrays a battle of wills between some spunky kids and a creative teacher with the perfect pitch for elementary school life that made Frindle an instant classic.
It’s boys vs. girls when the noisiest, most talkative, and most competitive fifth graders in history challenge one another to see who can go longer without talking. Teachers and school administrators are in an uproar, until an innovative teacher sees how the kids’ experiment can provide a terrific and unique lesson in communication."
October 27, 2009
I read this book to my niece and between the two of us we giggled uncontrollably. I don't think I could go 5 minutes without talking let alone 48 hours. It was an interesting concept on a historical person and how they can affect people. It made my niece and I wonder how we would do without talking. Good read for young and old to read together.
Currently reading
September 27, 2008So far it is pretty good!
April 26, 2025
My new favorite read aloud !!! I already can’t wait to read it to my group next year
June 2, 2013
After researching Gandhi for a class projects 5th grader Dave Packer decides to try going a school day without talking to see what it's like. This simple plan escalates into a full-on competition between the entire grade, boys vs. girls. This usually noisy group (nicknamed the unshushables by teachers) suddenly has a silent lunch period, but not all of the teachers are excited by this change.
Overall this was a cute, short read. I liked the idea of having a silence competition, and there are a few little twists that readers may not see coming (and some they most definitely will). There were a few things I didn't like about this book.
1) The author annoyingly writes things like "I could tell you about how the competition started..., I could tell you how the next week of school went..., etc. I understand it's being used to build suspense, but I think it is a cheap way of doing so.
2) There was a small section with the teachers discussing the silent students, which had some heavy handed discussion of gender-based discrimination. Also, one of the teachers wanted to use the silence game as a topic for a paper in one of his masters classes, which I found to be a weird plot point. It made it seem like a sympathetic teacher only had ulterior motives (or maybe I just don't want to read books with masters papers?).
3)There are a few pictures throughout the book, and they all seem very dated to me. I actually was surprised that the book was from 2007, as I thought it was about ten years older.
Overall this was a cute, short read. I liked the idea of having a silence competition, and there are a few little twists that readers may not see coming (and some they most definitely will). There were a few things I didn't like about this book.
1) The author annoyingly writes things like "I could tell you about how the competition started..., I could tell you how the next week of school went..., etc. I understand it's being used to build suspense, but I think it is a cheap way of doing so.
2) There was a small section with the teachers discussing the silent students, which had some heavy handed discussion of gender-based discrimination. Also, one of the teachers wanted to use the silence game as a topic for a paper in one of his masters classes, which I found to be a weird plot point. It made it seem like a sympathetic teacher only had ulterior motives (or maybe I just don't want to read books with masters papers?).
3)There are a few pictures throughout the book, and they all seem very dated to me. I actually was surprised that the book was from 2007, as I thought it was about ten years older.
September 12, 2013
I have to say, by the time I finished this book, it felt almost...sacriligious...to say more than three words per sentence.
It was genius, really.
The rules? No talking, unless you are asked a question by a teacher, and even then, only three words in response each time. You can make noises (because noises aren't words) and use hand gestures. Each illegal word said besides the maximum of three when answering a question for a teacher is counted against your team. And there are only two teams: Boys against girls.
The happenings during this contest are quite hilarious. And by the end of the first day of the contest, the Unshushables' (as the fifth grade has been nicknamed) complete 180 is driving the teachers and the principle a little batty. Except for Mr. Burton, who's like
This book, like all of Clements' other books, kept me highly entertained. Though in this case, it kinda bugged me that Dave openly rebelled against Mrs. Hiatt the principle. Though he made it seem that it was Mrs. Hiatt that was the only one in the wrong, I think they both were, because Mrs. Hiatt was the authority in charge, and you should respect the authority unless it goes against what you believe.
But I still recommend this book to those who've enjoyed Clements' other books!
It was genius, really.
The rules? No talking, unless you are asked a question by a teacher, and even then, only three words in response each time. You can make noises (because noises aren't words) and use hand gestures. Each illegal word said besides the maximum of three when answering a question for a teacher is counted against your team. And there are only two teams: Boys against girls.
The happenings during this contest are quite hilarious. And by the end of the first day of the contest, the Unshushables' (as the fifth grade has been nicknamed) complete 180 is driving the teachers and the principle a little batty. Except for Mr. Burton, who's like
This book, like all of Clements' other books, kept me highly entertained. Though in this case, it kinda bugged me that Dave openly rebelled against Mrs. Hiatt the principle. Though he made it seem that it was Mrs. Hiatt that was the only one in the wrong, I think they both were, because Mrs. Hiatt was the authority in charge, and you should respect the authority unless it goes against what you believe.
But I still recommend this book to those who've enjoyed Clements' other books!
April 16, 2022
NO TALKING
Andrew Clements
"This funny and surprising book is about language and thought, about words unspoken, words spoken in anger, and especially about the power of words spoken in kindness...with or without a bullhorn. It's Andrew Clements at his best -- thought-provoking, true-to-life, and very entertaining."
Clements presents a situation in which children (5th graders) engage in a contest that allows them to speak only three words at a time and only in answer to a question. The children learn the power of silence and deeper and more reflective thinking. I thought the book was very powerful and presented more than a cute story to be considered. Knowing the power of words is very important and to accomplish that you must have the ability to use words appropriately, something I find lacking in most college freshmen today.
For me, this was an amazing read and very thought-provoking.
5 stars
Happy Reading!
Andrew Clements
"This funny and surprising book is about language and thought, about words unspoken, words spoken in anger, and especially about the power of words spoken in kindness...with or without a bullhorn. It's Andrew Clements at his best -- thought-provoking, true-to-life, and very entertaining."
Clements presents a situation in which children (5th graders) engage in a contest that allows them to speak only three words at a time and only in answer to a question. The children learn the power of silence and deeper and more reflective thinking. I thought the book was very powerful and presented more than a cute story to be considered. Knowing the power of words is very important and to accomplish that you must have the ability to use words appropriately, something I find lacking in most college freshmen today.
For me, this was an amazing read and very thought-provoking.
5 stars
Happy Reading!
December 2, 2014
This is an entertaining story about a group of fifth-grade boys and girls who challenge each other to 48 hours of silence. Rules are negotiated - no more than three words may be spoken at a time, and only in response to a teacher - and an honour system of reporting "illegal words" outside of school is established. Because of the competition, both students and teachers alike learn valuable lessons about the value of economy in speech, the willingness to adapt to change, and the importance of co-operation and mutual respect in relationships. The simple pencil illustrations enhance the story and its message. Highly recommended for 8- to 12-year-olds or as a quick read for adults.
May 19, 2016
I was excited to read this because the concept is so fun, but the narrator REALLY took me out of the story. There was a lot of "but this is not the time to tell about that." Sometimes this works for me, but it did not here.
(It IS a cool concept though and I loved seeing how the kids and adults both dealt with the rules.)
(It IS a cool concept though and I loved seeing how the kids and adults both dealt with the rules.)
March 20, 2013
Andrew Clements should not be allowed to write another book.
August 17, 2016
This is a good book. I would reread it if i had a lot of time. I would also recommend my friends to read this book.
April 28, 2024
My daughter read this for a book report and wanted me to read it. I have to say it was pretty entertaining. Now we're trying to speak using no more than three words at a time for 24 hrs.
December 27, 2024
Amuzament fără cuvinte
December 27, 2022
Super fun read aloud for multiple ages! We just read Frindle and my husband picked this one up and was cracking up in several places so we knew we had to do this one for the whole family too! It did not disappoint!
July 14, 2021
I loved this book! It’s such a quick read and is truly interesting. Makes you think about how much words are worth.
February 12, 2018
Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2009, 160 pgs., Genre: Fiction, Grade level: 3-5, GR level: R, Lexile level: 750L
No Talking is one of my favorite novel books to use in a school setting due to its inspiring moral message, vivid illustrations, and creative perspectives. This books helps the reader reflect upon what type of language they use on a daily basis as well as how easily communication can be taken for granted. In this book the main character Dave Packer stumbles upon the idea of seeing if he can go a day without talking after learning about Mohatma Ghandi. With this idea, he soon begins a no talking challenge within the whole fifth grade at Laketon Elementary School between the girls and the boys. The fifth graders face challenges between the principal, teachers, and themselves as they try being silent for two days.
Teaching ideas:
This is a novel chapter book that should be taught and talked about. It would work well for a read aloud for a whole class in the upper elementary age group setting. For this book, I would read it aloud at the beginning of the year to inspire and challenge students to become active critical thinkers. Upon following the read aloud, I would have students complete a group project in which they will have to research a topic being studied and then give a presentation in their own unique way in which they will not be able to use speaking as a form of communication for the presentation. Prior to beginning the research project, I would form a class discussion on what are some different ways in which individuals can communicate without speaking verbally. For the presentation, I would highly encourage each group to use their own unique ideas for their presentation. For this activity, they will have to think more abstractly than explaining what form of communication they can use without repeating the same forms as other groups. To expand upon a literary skill being demonstrated, I would require that students somehow incorporate a four paragraph writing explaining their experiences as a presentation reflection.
NYS ELA CCS:
RL.4.9, W.4.11
No Talking is one of my favorite novel books to use in a school setting due to its inspiring moral message, vivid illustrations, and creative perspectives. This books helps the reader reflect upon what type of language they use on a daily basis as well as how easily communication can be taken for granted. In this book the main character Dave Packer stumbles upon the idea of seeing if he can go a day without talking after learning about Mohatma Ghandi. With this idea, he soon begins a no talking challenge within the whole fifth grade at Laketon Elementary School between the girls and the boys. The fifth graders face challenges between the principal, teachers, and themselves as they try being silent for two days.
Teaching ideas:
This is a novel chapter book that should be taught and talked about. It would work well for a read aloud for a whole class in the upper elementary age group setting. For this book, I would read it aloud at the beginning of the year to inspire and challenge students to become active critical thinkers. Upon following the read aloud, I would have students complete a group project in which they will have to research a topic being studied and then give a presentation in their own unique way in which they will not be able to use speaking as a form of communication for the presentation. Prior to beginning the research project, I would form a class discussion on what are some different ways in which individuals can communicate without speaking verbally. For the presentation, I would highly encourage each group to use their own unique ideas for their presentation. For this activity, they will have to think more abstractly than explaining what form of communication they can use without repeating the same forms as other groups. To expand upon a literary skill being demonstrated, I would require that students somehow incorporate a four paragraph writing explaining their experiences as a presentation reflection.
NYS ELA CCS:
RL.4.9, W.4.11
April 13, 2020
The realistic fiction book, No Taking, is an amazing book to read with your fifth and sixth graders. It delves into an unruly school setting with many students who love to talk. This leads to a classic girl vs. boy competition throughout the entire school.
I would use this book as a class read aloud so that the students can observe the way the book is organized because it is set up a bit differently because there is no table of contents but is split into chapters. After reading this book we will make a story line to observe cause and effect. The students will then create a short story about how this book can help them understand different perspectives (teachers, students, principals, disabled students, etc...). Another lesson we could use this book for is building understanding of disabilities and how to include people in everything. One class when they come in they will be instructed not to speak and that they have to find a new way to communicate with people. After a certain amount of time the students will write in their journals about what was hard for them and what not speaking made easier. They would also respond to the prompt: "What did you learn about communicating to people who may not be able to speak or hear?"
This is a WOW book to me because it is a very familiar setting for students. It takes place in a school around the same grade level along with some familiar in school things that may happen such as a bully and a competition of girls vs. boys. The book also had a very interesting take on the bet that way made. It was overall an awesome book!
I would use this book as a class read aloud so that the students can observe the way the book is organized because it is set up a bit differently because there is no table of contents but is split into chapters. After reading this book we will make a story line to observe cause and effect. The students will then create a short story about how this book can help them understand different perspectives (teachers, students, principals, disabled students, etc...). Another lesson we could use this book for is building understanding of disabilities and how to include people in everything. One class when they come in they will be instructed not to speak and that they have to find a new way to communicate with people. After a certain amount of time the students will write in their journals about what was hard for them and what not speaking made easier. They would also respond to the prompt: "What did you learn about communicating to people who may not be able to speak or hear?"
This is a WOW book to me because it is a very familiar setting for students. It takes place in a school around the same grade level along with some familiar in school things that may happen such as a bully and a competition of girls vs. boys. The book also had a very interesting take on the bet that way made. It was overall an awesome book!
August 12, 2018
Dave Packer is determined to go for two days without talking. But what started out as an experiment inspired by his report on Mahatma Gandhi has become something much bigger. Now it is a contest between the 5th grade boys and girls at Laketon Elementary School. Can they go two days without saying a word (or at least no more than 3 words at a time if teachers demand it)? The bigger question is will this contest become a problem or a learning experience?
On first, No Talking seems like a light hearted story of competition between 5th grade students. However, as the contest continues, Clement’s story hits on some deeper issues. He clearly shows the power of communication and the art of negotiation and compromise. A simple story about young students becomes a metaphor of life and our interactions with others. No Talking is an entertaining book for middle grade readers, but also provides excellent material for discussion.
Recommended ages--9 -12 years old
On first, No Talking seems like a light hearted story of competition between 5th grade students. However, as the contest continues, Clement’s story hits on some deeper issues. He clearly shows the power of communication and the art of negotiation and compromise. A simple story about young students becomes a metaphor of life and our interactions with others. No Talking is an entertaining book for middle grade readers, but also provides excellent material for discussion.
Recommended ages--9 -12 years old
February 17, 2019
An entire fifth-grade class, normally overly chatty, falls silent over a bet between the boys and the girls over which gender can remain the most silent for two whole days. The only exception is they can provide three-word answers to teachers when directly questioned. Not only do the students discover important lessons about communication, themselves, and one another, but the teachers and the principal also learn from the experience. The omniscient narration works well to provide insight beyond what first-person or limited third-person perspectives would be able to accomplish. The story includes a perceptive look under the surface of how a school functions. Lots of humor and heart make this quick read highly enjoyable.
November 24, 2015
I know this was supposed to be a boy vs. girl book and overcoming our differences but it annoyed me how extreme the author made the boys and girls (boys only like sports and girls only like shopping). On the children's level I could almost overlook that but it bothered me that the teachers were doing it. Then there was the fact that of course the only teacher who didn't get exasperated from the start and just wanted the children to pursue their experiment with goodwill for all was the only male teacher in the whole book while all the female teachers complained and tried to nip the kids fun in the bud.
January 2, 2019
I love this book. It explores the power of language--whether we choose to use it--or not.
Clements takes on not only that topic, but another, deeper topic, and handles it very well--what if the kids were right, and the grown-ups weren't? How should that be handled?
And it begs the questions: Who handled the no-talking challenge better? How could Dave and the other students have done things differently? WHY did the grown-ups react the way that they did? Just how powerful IS talking? Is tone just as important as word CHOICE?
And on and on.
Technically, I read this 4 times, because I had 4 classes, and it was my semester read-aloud.
Clements takes on not only that topic, but another, deeper topic, and handles it very well--what if the kids were right, and the grown-ups weren't? How should that be handled?
And it begs the questions: Who handled the no-talking challenge better? How could Dave and the other students have done things differently? WHY did the grown-ups react the way that they did? Just how powerful IS talking? Is tone just as important as word CHOICE?
And on and on.
Technically, I read this 4 times, because I had 4 classes, and it was my semester read-aloud.
July 16, 2025
Andrew Clements' books are great for road trips. Funny, engaging, and not too long. This one was another winner enjoyed by my whole family.
Reread this one again seven years after my initial reading. This is still one of my favorite Andrew Clements books, and continues to keep my kids highly interested. The book inspired one of my kids to try something similar to the challenge in the book (much to my personal annoyance).
Reread this one again seven years after my initial reading. This is still one of my favorite Andrew Clements books, and continues to keep my kids highly interested. The book inspired one of my kids to try something similar to the challenge in the book (much to my personal annoyance).
February 26, 2011
This was one of those books that felt like a third grade teacher lecturing his students. Kids are smart. They don't need you to spell everything out. (Yes, I know I'm an adult reading a children's book, but there are many authors out there that can teach and entertain all ages....without resorting to baby talk.)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,406 reviews