No Talking
By Andrew Clements
Hi! Did you ever believe in cooties? Well, these children are in the 5th grade and they still believe in cooties! Isn’t that crazy?
The main character is named Dave. One day, Dave challenged Lynsey to not talk. He made up this idea when he was reading a book. It said that a man stopped talking for a day so he could be smarter. He decided to challenge Lynsey and the girls for no talking. All of the girls and boys had to make it through the whole day without talking!
Dave and Lynsey’s first period was Social Studies. They were supposed to do a report, but instead, Dave coughed a lot (so he wouldn't have to talk), so the teacher told them they could do their report another day. This continued in all the classes until it was lunchtime. There, they started passing notes and things like that. Soon, the boys realized that they could make noises, but they couldn’t talk. Then, suddenly (this is yucky, lovey stuff), some girl came out of nowhere and kissed a boy. This girl had been wanting to do that for a while but didn’t know how to say it. He started screaming and yelling and talking, and that cost the boys a lot of points. So, the girls were in the lead!
Now it’s time to talk about another boy’s problem when he went home. All the boys had problems, but not nearly as bad as this boy, and he stayed true to the contest. You see, the boys weren’t allowed to say a word at home, and if they did, they had to report it to Lynsey. The girls weren’t allowed to either, and if they did, they had to report it to Dave. This certain boy didn’t say a single word, even when it cost him a lot. You see, it was his hair cutting day. His mother didn’t know, but his mother always took him to this hair shop where the hairdresser did a very bad job. So, when he couldn’t talk, he came out with the worst haircut anyone had ever seen. But he stayed true and faithful, even though he’d probably be looking like that for a while.
The next day, the boys reported not very many words, while the girls reported even less. Dave and Lynsey both suspected (and Lynsey had to admit to herself) that there were probably a few cheaters on both sides. The principal called them all to a private meeting once she figured out what they were doing. That’s when Dave started a personal contest between himself and Lynsey. The winner would get to put a big “L” on the loser’s forehead.
Who will win the competition? Will they brag or cry after their loss? And will Dave have to get a gimoungous “L” on his forehead? As I always say, read the book to find out!
I recommend this book to readers who just like a normal, plain fiction book (not magic).
A few helpful things I like to say about the books I read:
“Run and Get Mom” (how I describe the scariness factor):
There was no “run and get mom” in this story. I don’t get to say that very often!
“Yucky-Lovey Stuff” (how I describe the romance factor):
There was one part, as I have already mentioned. You can probably remember it. If you don’t, just go back and read the review again.
I give this book 4 ½ wands.
I only gave this 4 ½ wands because of yucky-lovey stuff. It would have been higher if not for that. I really like how this is just a plain, normal book. Even though it does sort of get you going against the girl in this book.
