No Talking centers around a group of exuberant fifth grade boys and girls at the fictional Laketon Elementary School who engage in a no-talking contest.

As the competition intensifies, the students discover creative ways to make noises without speaking, leading to many situations and twists.

As the story unfolds, the students learn valuable lessons about communication, cooperation, and self-control, ultimately coming to a fitting resolution.

Another significant theme in the novel is the accommodation made by the school for a particularly noisy and talkative group of fifth grade students.

The students use creative and peaceful means to protest against the school's rules and regulations, demonstrating the power of nonviolent resistance and the importance of standing up for one's beliefs.