Parents' Guide to

No Talking

By Matt Berman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Ear-to-ear-grinningly delightful school story.

Book Andrew Clements School 2007
No Talking Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 7+

Based on 7 parent reviews

JimL
JimL Parent of 8-year-old
October 30, 2013
age 8+

Best. Premise. Ever.

Brilliant premise. Awesome execution. So much wisdom. So much fun.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
madgirlmarz
madgirlmarz Adult
October 26, 2011
age 10+

boys against girls

this book is great. i'm 10 and i'm in 5th grade and its a great book. i'm doing my project on that book.. its good 4 kids and kids can learn to talk less.. if you need a book pick this. it is also educational

This title has:

Great messages
See all 7 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Dave's fifth grade class is called "The Unshushables" by their teachers because of their constant talking. His grade is also unusually immature when it comes to boys and girls getting along with each other.

When Dave reads that Gandhi didn't talk for one day each week, he is intrigued and decides to try it out himself. But he only makes it until lunch before getting into an argument with Lynsey, the leader of the girls, and they end up making a bet: two days of no talking, boys against girls. Whichever side talks less, wins. Not talking, though, is harder than it seems, and has all sorts of unintended consequences -- including a confrontation with the principal, who has been trying to get them to stop talking for years.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (7):
Kids say (15):

OK, let's just state it baldly: Author Andrew Clements is a genius. Like this one, his books are short, easy to read, and ear-to-ear-grinningly delightful. They have no villains, sex, violence, drugs, or off-color language or humor. And they are thought-provoking, funny, often moving, deeply wise, and diamond-sharp in their clarity and understanding of the world of middle-grade children.

Clements' classic is Frindle, but NO TALKING is up to that standard. He packs enough intellectual and emotional depth to keep avid readers thinking and discussing, and his straightforward, conversational style will appeal to reluctant readers. The content will keep discussion groups hopping, while the fluid joy of the story keeps individual readers and listeners grinning with pleasure.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about silence and civil disobedience.

  • Why does the silence seem so powerful?

  • How does it change everyone's perceptions?

  • What do you think of the standoff between Dave and the principal?

Book Details

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