Wednesday 6 July 2016

No Talking - Andrew Clements


No Talking
Andrew Clements

Mark Elliott (Illustrator)
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
A Division of Simon and Schuster

ISBN 9781416909835
ASIN B0070Y3GLE

This is the third book I have read by Andrew Clements in as many weeks. I am finding that the more I read of his the more I like it. He does an excellent job of capturing the school environments, children and student teacher interactions. To be honest I wish I had encountered his writings earlier for I know I would have read many more of them, and I just might yet. When I am reading books for younger readers I have a few questions that take a book from good to great in my opinion, those questions are:
1. Could I see reading this book again?
2. Would I want to read this book with my kids?
3. Would I want my children reading this book?
4. Could I see myself sharing this book with other parents and educators?
5. Is the story good enough to entertain children and adults who read to or with them?
This book gets a resounding yes to all 5 questions.

In this book Dave and Lynsey end up in a battle, they are leading the 5th grade boys and girls in a challenge to speak the fewest words. The rules are: ""You can say only three words in a row. And only if a teacher or a grown-up talks to you first. Except you can talk to a kid first. Because you're sort of a teacher. And no talking at all outside of school-honor system." The challenge was set for 2 days, and almost immediately the teachers notice something is up. Some teachers figure out what is going on, there is resistance from some teachers and from the principal Mrs. Hiatt. It was also interesting watching how the children found ways to communicate without the words. 

I found that this book really made me think about the words I use, how I use them. How often do I speak when I should stay silent? Do I remain silent when I should be speaking up? Reading this book has had an impact on me at work, with my friends and at home. As such it was an absolute excellent read. And I really cannot wait to read this with my children. 

Almost every chapter has a wonderful sketch by Mark Elliott. They contribute to the story. I know my children, especially the younger one's love the pictures even as we push them more and more towards chapters books.

This was another excellent read. I cannot recommend this and the other books I have read by Andrew Clements enough. Give it a try and see if it is not great!

Books by Andrew Clements:
Bird Adalbert
Noah and the Ark and the Animals
Santa's Secret Helper
Temple Cat
Mother Earth's Counting Book
Billy and the Bad Teacher
Who Owns the Cow
Bright Christmas: An Angel Remembers
Frindle 
(Adapter)Philipp's Birthday Book
Riff's BeBop Book
Real Monsters Go for the Mold
Things That Go EEK on Halloween
Real Monsters Stage Fright
Music Time, Any Time
Double Trouble in Walla Walla
Workshop
Gromble's Haunted Halloween
Hey Dad, Could I Borrow Your Hammer
The Landry News
Look Who's in the Thanksgiving Play
The Mouse Family
The Janitor's Boy
Circus Family Dog
The Christmas Kitten
The School Story
Things Not Seen 
The Jacket 
A Week in the Woods
Slippers at Home
Naptime for Slippers
The Report Card
The Last Holiday Concert
Slippers at School
Slippers Loves to Run
A Million Is a Lot of Dots
Lunch Money
Things Hoped For
Room One: A Mystery or Two
No Talking
Things That Are
Lost and Found
Extra Credit
Troublemaker
About Average
The Map Trap
The Friendship War
The Losers Club
...

Pets to the Rescue Series
Ringo Saves the Day!
Brave Norman
Tara and Tiree, Fearless Friends
Delores and the Big Fire

Jake Drake Series
Jake Drake Know-It-All
Jake Drake, Bully Buster
Jake Drake, Teacher's Pet
Jake Drake, Class Clown

Benjamin Pratt and the Keepers of the School Series
We the Children
Fear Itself
The Whites of Their Eyes
In Harm's Way
We Hold These Truths

Reading program Books
Karen's Island
Three Wishes for Buster
Bill Picket: An American Original, Texas Style
Hurricane Andrew
Ham and Eggs for Jack
Life in the Desert
Desert Treasure
Inventors: Making Things Better, Steck-Vaughn
Milo's Great Invention

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