76 pages • 2 hours read
No Talking
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2007
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Introduction
No Talking
- Genre: Fiction; middle grade realistic
- Originally Published: 2007
- Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 750L; grades 3-7
- Structure/Length: 20 chapters; approximately 160 pages; approximately 3 hours on audio
- Protagonist/Central Conflict: The story centers around Dave Packer, a fifth-grade boy who reads about Mahatma Gandhi’s practice of being silent one day a week. Inspired, Dave tries to remain silent for a day, sparking a competition between the boys and the girls in his grade. The central conflict revolves around this "no talking" competition and the ensuing chaos it causes in their school.
- Potential Sensitivity Issues: Mild conflict between peers; gender bias
Andrew Clements, Author
- Bio: Born 1949; died 2019; American author of children's books; prior to becoming a full-time author, taught literature, creative writing, and music; work often explores school settings and the dynamics between students, teachers, and parents; published over 80 books during his career
- Other Works: Frindle (1996); The Landry News (1999); The School Story (2001); Lunch Money (2005)
- Awards: Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (2009); Children’s Crown Award (2010); California Young Reader Medal (2010)
CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Unit:
- The Value of Silence
- Standing Up to Authority
- Finding Common Ground With an Enemy
STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Unit, students will:
