No Talking

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: