No Talking by Andrew Clements

Title: No Talking

Author: Andrew Clements

Illustrator: Mark Elliot

ISBN: 978-1-4169-0984-2

Publication: Autheneum Books

The story of 'No Talking' revolves around a bunch of fifth graders from Laketon Elementary School in New Jersey. They were considered the most talkative class in the history of the school and were thus comically named as 'The Unshushables' by their teachers.

One fine day, a student Dave Packer, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's a-day per week vow of silence,decides to not talk for as long as he could. An interesting scheme of events lead Dave to challenge his classmate Lynsey Burgess into a boys vs girls "no talking" competition, in which they were not allowed to speak for two whole days!

The most interesting part of the book is to see how the students act and react in the given situation and how their behaviour shapes the ultimate fate of the contest. It is also incredible how the teachers, though utterly distraught by the talkative nature of the kids, also get perturbed by the new setting and how one teacher sees a new opportunity in it.

I would personally recommend this book to all kidlit lovers as it is a true delight for the readers. The story gives a deep insight into the psychology of the children and their adult mentors and how, even though similar, their individual behaviours tend to vary. How the children started of as a lot divided among themselves, stand up unanimous when formally asked to break apart.

A perfect pleasure read.