NO TALKING

Clements, a former teacher, writes engaging stories set in public schools. In NO TALKING, Lynsey and Dave debate whether girls or boys are noisier, declaring a two-day war of silence in which the words of those who speak are counted against them. Narrator Keith Nobbs, whose voice is appropriately youthful, reproduces fifth-grade tones with uncanny accuracy. This tonal precision has a downside: warring fifth-graders are not that much fun to hear. Fortunately, Nobbs also delivers long stretches of narration in which listeners learn about the kids’ boisterous fifth-grade class (nicknamed the “unshushables”), grade school dynamics, and the reaction of the principal to the students’ sudden silent behavior. Finally, when all’s counted, a mere handful of words brings peace and harmony to all. J.C.G. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/ NOV 07]