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katdfleming's review against another edition
4.0
This was such an interesting book. Until I got to the last fifth of the book, I was a bit so-so on it. But when the Gandhi/civil disobedience tie-in made itself more apparent, I was tickled and inspired to use it as a read-aloud during my upcoming 4th grade unit on the civil rights movement.
protoman21's review against another edition
4.0
Clements delivers another enjoyable school tale. I enjoy these as an adult and I know I would have eaten them up as a kid. I always enjoy his give and take between kids and adults.
the_enobee's review against another edition
5.0
No Talking was an unplanned yet excellent way to finish the Oregon Battle of the Books reading list. I'd never read Andrew Clements before, and I was impressed. An excellent story that explores so much about the life of a 5th-grader. From school life with teachers and peers to home life with family and extracurricular activities, No Talking covers it all. I loved seeing the different reactions to the game from both the students and teachers. Highly recommended to all ages, especially when shared with a 10-12 year-old.
johnnymacaroni's review against another edition
3.0
I started this a little confused because I had the premise of the story wrong... I thought the teachers didn't want the 5th graders to talk so the kids came up with this "no talking" rule to sort of mess with them (which was a premise I liked...nice and subversive) but turns out the kids came up with this challenge as more of a girls vs boys /Hatfields and the McCoys sort of thing...which was fine but a mild disappointment for me. In the end I liked the book...there are some didactic parts (and it really seems written as a lesson for adults)but mainly I think my lukewarmness towards it stems from the Frindle/heroin problem...see for me...nothing Clements writes ever compares to the brilliance of Frindle. I just adore that story and continue to find it original and exciting even after all these years.
mannim's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ellwynautumn's review against another edition
5.0
In the spirit of the book, I'll describe it in three words: clever, fun, smart!
8bluebutterfly8's review against another edition
4.0
I lowkey wanna try not talking for a day now. I wonder if any kids read this book and tried to do this at their school.
brandypainter's review against another edition
4.0
This is taken from a longer review found here.
Andrew Clements has an amazing way of conveying large ideas within a few pages. This 146 page book is about communication, the power of words, the power of silence and how we respond to the people around us. It also shows how we effect the wider community with our words and actions. As always in a Clements book there are two stories being told. One is of the children and what they are experiencing and learning. The other is of the adults and how they are reacting and ultimately learning too. A child reading this will definitely get a sense of empowerment from what the kids in this book are able to accomplish. Hopefully, they will also learn a little about how adults tend to look at children, particularly noisy ones, that will explain some of the reactions they get. For adults reading it, it is a good reminder of how young minds work and exactly how creative they can be.
Andrew Clements has an amazing way of conveying large ideas within a few pages. This 146 page book is about communication, the power of words, the power of silence and how we respond to the people around us. It also shows how we effect the wider community with our words and actions. As always in a Clements book there are two stories being told. One is of the children and what they are experiencing and learning. The other is of the adults and how they are reacting and ultimately learning too. A child reading this will definitely get a sense of empowerment from what the kids in this book are able to accomplish. Hopefully, they will also learn a little about how adults tend to look at children, particularly noisy ones, that will explain some of the reactions they get. For adults reading it, it is a good reminder of how young minds work and exactly how creative they can be.