The Mute Button

by Ellie Irving

A hilarious new story from the author of BILLIE TEMPLAR'S WAR

How do you make yourself heard in the midst of chaos?

Anthony Button loves his big family, but their noise can drive him crazy.
And with the arrival of a brand-new older brother, it’s worse than ever!

So Ant starts a silent protest to try and get everyone’s attention.
But now he’s pressed the mute button, will he ever find his voice again?

Kindle Edition

First published June 5, 2014

About the author

I was born in Bristol, but raised in a hamlet on the outskirts of Southend-on-Sea, by a family of avid readers. So avid, in fact, my mum enrolled me in the local library before I'd even emerged from the womb. Which was awkward for all concerned. As a child, I had an unhealthy obsession with 'Murder, She Wrote' and aged seven, convinced my parents to buy me a Petite Super International typewriter for Christmas, so I could be just like Jessica Fletcher.

After studying a 4 year Broadcasting Degree at the University of Leeds, I realised there were too few home makeover shows in the world, and worked on a number of DIY and Garden programmes for UK Style. I then returned to studying and graduated from an MA in Screenwriting course at the London College of Communication in 2008. I live in North London. I have yet to solve any murders...

Reviews

[Margaret Madden · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars from 11 year old Mia.

This book is about a boy, called Anthony Button, who has gone a talking strike. This is because he felt he wasn't getting enough attention at home. The first person to notice that he had stopped talking was his sister, Susie. She was very surprised as he was normally a chatterbox. His two brothers were next to notice, with his parents being last. The discovery of an older brother was the reason for the lack of attention at home. The strike is going well until Anthony has to give a presentation in school, which means a lot of talking....

I enjoyed this book a lot. It was really interesting. It had lots about family and was very sweet. I would recommend this for age 8+.

[Chris Callaghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully charming and consistently funny throughout. A fantastic story of the problems, anguish and joys of being part of a family. I loved this!

[Francesca Pashby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny little story of a middle, middle child (Ant) who becomes mute to draw attention to himself upon the arrival of a new, older, half brother.

[Lennon · Rating 5 out of 5]

is amazing

[Luna's Little Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mute Button begins with Anthony waiting for his family to come for a school presentation, he’s convinced they won’t because of what he did – which is when the book takes you back to the beginning.

Anthony’s family is big and loud and when his father discovers he has another son Anthony feels pushed out. Now there is even less room for him. So after meal at that ends up with Anthony’s father telling him to be quiet, he does just that.

I liked Anthony, he is a lovely narrator. His chaotic family is entertaining. I thought that Ellie Irving made them real. It would have been easy to make them bland and have the focus on just Anthony but I think the reason the book is so endearing is because you end up caring about them all.

The Mute Button was a quick read for me but I enjoyed every bit of it.

I think I’ll need to check out more books by Ellie Irving.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book and I liked it but it wasn't as good as the Dads Army one