No Talking

Title: No Talking

Author: Andrew Clements

Summary:  Dave, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, tries going one whole school day without talking.  At lunch, a girl named Lynsey jabbering away to her friends sparks Dave into launching a fifth-grade-wide contest of who can say the fewest words in the next two days.  Dave keeps score for the girls and Lynsey keeps score for the boys.  Three-word answers were permissible when asked a question by a teacher - anything over that got counted.  The teachers discover the plot.  Most say it's disruptive, but Mr. Burton thinks it's very interesting.  He helps the kids explore their interactions with each other, having them pass notes instead of talking during one class, to make them think about what they're writing and how different it is from talking.  However, the principal makes a speech to prohibit their contest.  Though they agree with her verbally, they only use three words - the contest is still on.  Finally the principal yells at the entire fifth grade.  She steps out of line, and Dave stands up to her, breaking his silence and saying many illegal words.  It could destroy the boys' chance of winning the contest, but everyone in the fifth grade applauds him.  Later, Dave is sent to the principal's office.  He forgives her and invites her to join the contest.  

From that point forward, the contest is for the whole school.  On Thursday, they tally up the illegal words on both sides.  The boys are losing because of Dave's speech to the principal, and everyone knows it.  Just before the clock gets to twelve, when the contest would end, Lynsey intentionally says exactly the right number of words to tie the boys and the girls.  Dave and Lynsey, formerly enemies, have forged the sentiment of a team not only between each other, but also between the boys and the girls of fifth grade.  

Stars: 8

Violence: 0.  This book explored words and interactions more than the physical.  

Romance: 2 for when a girl kissed a boy on the cheek just to get him to exclaim in disgust (giving the boys more words).  

Language: 0

Appropriate for:  6 and up

Other:  This book really explored friendship and communication.  The humanizing of the principal and the friendship of Lynsey and Dave were a few of the communication aspects.  

Usually a common enemy builds friendships.  The teachers and the principal weren't really enemies, but they tried to stop the fifth graders.  Lynsey and Dave stood together, and while arranging everything so that they could continue their contest, they formed a relationship, which was a bridge between the male and female sides of the fifth grade.