76 pages 2 hours read

Andrew Clements

No Talking

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2007

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

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: