Andrew Clements

  • 49

    Catalog books

  • 18

    Works

  • 1992 to 2016

    Strongest span

Who This Author Is

Andrew Clements writes sharply observed, child-centered stories that capture schoolroom life and young friendships. In No Talking he sets a simple premise—a contest of silence among fifth-graders—and uses it to explore rules, rivalry, and empathy, letting classroom details and kids’ voices drive the narrative.

Clements favors accessible plots with moral complexity rather than moralizing, using dialogue and classroom scenes to reveal character. No Talking showcases his knack for crafting believable children who confront authority, test boundaries, and learn through everyday challenges, making behavior and consequence the heart of the story.

Best Place To Start

No Talking

Simon & Schuster, Limited • 2012 • quick commitment

It stands out because it asks for less time than many of the longer volumes on this page.

Author At A Glance

Best known for: School-centered stories • Child protagonists • Humorous classroom conflicts

Genres and themes: Middle-grade fiction • School life • Friendship and rules • Everyday moral dilemmas

Who this author is best for: Great for readers ages 8–12 who enjoy realistic, dialogue-driven stories about school, friendships, and gentle humor.

Start with a widely available middle-grade novel like No Talking to sample Clements' approachable schoolroom stories.

Top Books To Start With

  1. No Talking

    Simon & Schuster, Limited • 2012 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2012 • 160 pages.

  2. Fear Itself

    Simon and Schuster • 2011 • standard commitment

    It helps anchor a specific period of this author’s publishing run instead of blending into the undated shelf clutter.

  3. Head of the Class

    Aladdin • 2007 • longer commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2007 • 416 pages.

  4. Room One

    Simon & Schuster, Limited • 2012 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2012 • 192 pages.

  5. Trouble Maker

    Scholastic • 2012 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2012 • 162 pages.

  6. Lost and Found (w.t.)

    Atheneum • 2008 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2008 • 160 pages.

  7. The School Story

    Paw Prints 2008-08-11 • 2008 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2008 • 224 pages.

  8. Things hoped for

    Thorndike Press • 2008 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2008 • 207 pages.

  9. Jake Drake, Class Clown (Jake Drake)

    Aladdin • 2007 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2007 • 96 pages.

  10. No Talking (Thorndike Press Large Print Literacy Bridge Series)

    Thorndike Press • 2007 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2007 • 155 pages.

How The Picks Compare

  • No Talking is the easier short commitment, while Fear Itself asks for more reading time up front.
  • Fear Itself gives you an earlier look at this author’s shelf, while No Talking leans later in the catalog.
  • Head of the Class is also useful if you want a different publishing lane from No Talking.

More Books By Andrew Clements

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