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Out of My Mind

by Sharon M. Draper (Goodreads Author)

4.34 of 5 stars 4.34 · rating details · 14,753 ratings · 3,126 reviews

Eleven-year-old Melody has a photographic memory. Her head is like a video camera that is always recording. Always. And there's no delete button. She's the smartest kid in her whole school—but no one knows it. Most people—her teachers and doctors included—don't think she's capable of learning, and up until recently her school days consisted of listening to the same prescho...more

Hardcover, 295 pages

Published March 9th 2010 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

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May 12, 2010 Destinee Sutton rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: middle-grade, sad, people-with-disabilities, school

Many people love love love this book, so I'm going to skip the praise (you can read plenty of it elsewhere) and go straight to criticism:

1. The phrase "untouched in my hands" really bothers me. How can something be untouched if it's in your hands?

2. I worry this book is dated already. Do kids really say "tight" anymore? I know Draper is trying to make Melody sound like a real kid, but to my ears she sounds like an adult trying to sound like a kid. In fact, a lot of dialogue struck me as unreal...more Many people love love love this book, so I'm going to skip the praise (you can read plenty of it elsewhere) and go straight to criticism:

1. The phrase "untouched in my hands" really bothers me. How can something be untouched if it's in your hands?

2. I worry this book is dated already. Do kids really say "tight" anymore? I know Draper is trying to make Melody sound like a real kid, but to my ears she sounds like an adult trying to sound like a kid. In fact, a lot of dialogue struck me as unrealistic (i.e. an adult's version of what she thinks modern kids sound like). I've never heard anyone say, "She is tripping," without droppin' the g. I haven't heard anyone say, "He thinks he's all that," since 1998 (unless is was sarcastic). Of course, I still say things are "the bomb," but I'm a lot older than the kids in this book. Other things that I think will date this book: MySpace, TiVo, Nintendo Wii, iPhones, and the phrase "That's what's up!"

3. It strikes me as unrealistic that Melody, with her super intelligence, couldn't communicate better using her low-tech talking board. If she's a perfect speller, couldn't she spell out "I love you," to her parents? Or spell out the story of what happened to the goldfish? Wouldn't her parents and caregivers take the time to allow her to do that? Better yet, wouldn't her parents research adaptive technology so they could communicate better with their child?

4. The villains in this story (i.e. Molly and Claire, the bad teachers and the stupid psychologist that gives Melody her initial intelligence test) are totally one-dimensional. I get really annoyed when authors create scapegoat characters that are easy to hate. You can have bad guys, but flesh them out a little.

5. I thought the near-tragedy thrown in at the end of the book didn't really contribute to the story. It was a weird way to the end the book, like the author wanted to crank up the melodrama in the end, and she way overdid it. And how weird was the scene at the end where Melody reacts to a difficult situation by laughing hysterically for no apparent reason?

6. This is a personal issue: I went to elementary school with a boy who had CP and he spent just a small part of each day away from the rest of our class. If this was the case in the 1980s, it's hard for me to believe that educators in the 21st Century have regressed into the situation Melody finds herself in. I could be completely wrong, but it still affected the way I felt about the book. I loved the first chapter, but I grew more and more skeptical as it went on.

To sum up: No, I'm not heartless. I think this story has the potential to really move people, to make them look at their abilities in a more appreciative light. And I think it's important for kids to read stories told from a perspective like Melody's because it opens their minds and hearts. But this book had a lot of problems and I'm not one to ignore them just because the subject matter is important. I really believe this could have been a much better book. (less)

90 likes · like · see review

Jun 12, 2012 Shawna rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: teen-fiction

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Melody's the smartest kid in school, with so many things to say, but she can't because she's diagnosed with cerebral palsy leaving her unable to voice any of her thoughts. When her school starts an inclusion program where the special needs kids can join classrooms and get a chance to interact with others, Melody gets a teacher named who runs the Whiz Kids Quiz team. In his class, she meets two girls who are uncomfortable with her and so they start making crude comments; making sure she hears the...more Melody's the smartest kid in school, with so many things to say, but she can't because she's diagnosed with cerebral palsy leaving her unable to voice any of her thoughts. When her school starts an inclusion program where the special needs kids can join classrooms and get a chance to interact with others, Melody gets a teacher named who runs the Whiz Kids Quiz team. In his class, she meets two girls who are uncomfortable with her and so they start making crude comments; making sure she hears them. Melody befriends a girl named Rose who isn't afraid of standing up to others and helping her. When she hears that there are try-outs for the Whiz Kids Quiz team, her neighbour, her parents and her special aids helper encourages her to try out for the quiz team. She makes the team and leads the team to victory in their regional competition. The prize of winning the regional competition is competing in Washington, D.C. When they see the newspapers, on the front page is a picture of Melody; not the team, just Melody. The other members of the quiz team don't appreciate that. When Melody and her parents arrive at the airport, they find out that their flight is cancelled and the other kids had already left. She felt hurt that none of them bothered to tell her that they had an earlier flight. The next day, when Melody and her mother is about to leave for school, only Melody sees Penny, her little sister, running out of the house. She tries to warn her mother not to drive but the car ends up hitting Penny and she's hospitalized. When Melody arrives at school, the members of the quiz team try to apologize. She turns away from them to show that she doesn't need the people who abandoned her.

I picked this book because many people have recommended it to me.

I finished this book because I was curious as to if she would make the quiz team, if the team would win at the regional competition and also if they would win at the national competition in Washington, D.C.

I think people who like to read realistic-fiction would like this book because it talks about real problems and disabilities that anyone can be diagnosed with or have.(less)

13 likes · like · see review

Jan 09, 2013 Kasey H rated it 5 of 5 stars

I just started reading Out of my Mind by Sharon M. Draper. It's a really great book because- well everything. Sharon does a great job of describing Melody, the main character, and her classmates. Melody sounds super nice, some of her friends are nice too, but some of them can't be so nice sometimes. Melody feels like she's trapped in a box. She can't talk, sit up strait, and can't move very well. Melody has a photographic memory, but she can't use it, or show anybody how smart she is! I could n...more I just started reading Out of my Mind by Sharon M. Draper. It's a really great book because- well everything. Sharon does a great job of describing Melody, the main character, and her classmates. Melody sounds super nice, some of her friends are nice too, but some of them can't be so nice sometimes. Melody feels like she's trapped in a box. She can't talk, sit up strait, and can't move very well. Melody has a photographic memory, but she can't use it, or show anybody how smart she is! I could never do that! I would just scream and shriek all day and night! There's a point in the story where Melody isn't very excited to bring out a snowman which she gets to decorate. There's a point in my life when I wasn't very excited about bringing out the Halloween decorations, just like Melody, but she wasn't excited about bringing out a snowman to decorate. My personality is like and is not like Melody's, because Melody wants to show, and tell people what she thinks. I want to tell people what I think sometimes, but it depends on what would work best at the moment. Melody always like to tell people what she thinks because she never has. At this point of the story no important event has really happened. I've heard that there's something that makes the story extremely good! I can't wait to get to that part! I would recommend this book to people who like a book that's not really sad, but pretty sad, and has a lot of description. I haven't got that far in this book, but so far it's definitely a five star book!
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I'm still reading Out of my Mind by Sharon M. Draper. I remember my exact page, I'm on page 116. Over Thanksgiving break I read more about what Melody's life is like. Melody is welcomed into real classes now, instead of her having to stay with everybody else who has disabilities. She is really excited! She got a new electronic wheelchair, which is really cool compared to what she used to have. Second, she can be with every other kid in the school. I feel really happy for Melody, because she gets to start a brand new start to her life. Which is really nice to do after a while. I know how happy she is. I've had an experience that was a little like that. You know how you get really bored of being in the exact same room with the exact same furniture arrangement for a while? Well, I was really getting upset with that. So for one of my birthdays I got to change rooms. It was such a relief!
I think that Sharon, the author of Out of my Mind is such an amazing writer! I love books about kids who have to overcome something. Out of my Mind is perfect! It tells a story about Melody a girl who has disabilities. Melody is a really good person! She always tries her hardest to do her best. Over all I rate this book as high as possible. In this situation, I rate it five stars
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DATE: December 11, 2012
I was reading a lot of other books, and put this book off for a little while. I'm starting to get back to only reading Out of my Mind. Now, to get started on the real book review! Melody the main character decided she wanted to participate in a little practice quiz for the Whiz Quiz team, a contest that one chosen group of kids participate in a trivia contest. I'm not one of the best people at trivia, but I know plenty of people who are. Melody didn't have to participate in the practice but she chose to. There has been a time where I've done something that I didn't have to do. One time (which was actually about two weeks ago) I did something I didn't have to do. I got one of my tests back and I forgot to answer a question. That was the only question on the whole test that I got wrong so my grade was still very high. So, I wanted to show my teacher that I knew the answer to the question, and I didn't miss it because I didn't know it. What I did is I made test corrections end though I knew my score would only be brought up two points, I still did it!
This book is slow paced, and very character driven! It's actually slow paced, because it's character driven. The book is very focused on Melody's life, and personality.
I think that Sharon M. Draper is so creative! If I had a chance to ask her a question, I would ask her if this book had or has anything to do with her personal life. She comes up with such creative things that Melody does and thinks! This book is definitely still a five stars book!
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May 23, 2010 Rabia Sultana rated it 5 of 5 stars

The book "Out of my mind" by Sharon M. Draper has changed my view of how people view others. This book is the story of a girl who was born unable to speak, walk, write, or anything on her own. Ever since the day she's been born she's always been helped by someone,never able to do something on her, not even talk. She was always seen as the girl in the wheel cahir who couldn't do anything. So when Melody finally can do something on her, can even speak for the first time, why do people still look...more The book "Out of my mind" by Sharon M. Draper has changed my view of how people view others. This book is the story of a girl who was born unable to speak, walk, write, or anything on her own. Ever since the day she's been born she's always been helped by someone,never able to do something on her, not even talk. She was always seen as the girl in the wheel cahir who couldn't do anything. So when Melody finally can do something on her, can even speak for the first time, why do people still look at her as helpless and weak?
In the school Melody goes to, Spaulding Street Elementary School, she is in a goup with other with "what they call 'disabilities'." They're put in a group from ages 9-11 and they're "learning community"[pg.29:] has been together from the begining of school. But every single one of her teachers with a a exception of one has treated them as if they are babies and know nothing. Even they're classroom has been painted as if they were 4 not 9 or 11,with walls of "dozens of flowers...smiley faces", and "painted with happy bunnies, kittens, and puppies."[pg.30:]They are not little kids, so why is their classroom look like a little kids playhouse. Do people really think that they're not even smart enough to see the difference of their classrooms and others? Like, just becasue they're not as smart as others, does it mean you have to make everythin surrounding them seem as if for babies, even their learning environment?
Of the teachers Ms. Billups was one of the worst, she would make them listen to "Old MacDonald Had a Farm", "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star", and "The Itsy-Bitsy Spider" every morning. I wonder what made her do that, like did she really believe that these kids even if they were 'special' weren't smart enough to understand these songs. Ms.Billups would also go over teh alphabet every single day with them, when they were third graders! This makes me wonder what kind of view society has put on these 'special' kids. Aren't they supposed to be treated the same, to teach them like they are no more different then the other students? Then why is this teacher teaching a third grade class the alphabet and making them listen to PreK songs. Does she really believe that they can listen to the same songs over and over without gettign bored, and really that these third graders haven't learned their alphabet yet. They may have bisabilities, but they are PHYSICAL ablilities, this has nothing to do with their minds and how they are able to comprehend, think, and learn.
Melody proves this when she gets the computer that allows her to talk, and speak (through a computerized voice that is) what is really on her mind. The computer is set up with phrases and sentences that she can speak (through the computer). But people still don't think she's "smart", they still think she can't be "smart", that just because she has disabilites she shouldn't even be able to think or talk. Like what this girl (Clarie) in the book said,"I'm not trying to be mean--honest--but it just never occurred to me that Melody had thoughts in her head."(pg.143) This makes me wonder of how many other people out there think that, that how just beacuse a person is in a wheel cahir or has disabilities you assume that they must not be smart or even think.
This book really made me wonder if people judge others too quickly. That maybe a person is in a wheel chair or has some disablity doesn't necessarily mean that they are 'not smart' or unable to do what we can. There is many people out their with disablities who has accomplished more in their life than many of us, with thos disabilities. They are still living a normal life, going to work (maybe), going to school, just living their life. Yet we still don't think of them as equal, and don't believe that they can be as accomplished as we are, when that is not true at all.
I really liked this book, and thought it was just spectacular. The author really made me remember everything, and i learned so much. I would reccomend this book for all, and even though it is not really a topic we like to discuss it was different and nice to read about. :)

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Nov 09, 2012 Jennifer Wardrip rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: trt-posted-reviews

Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

Sharon M. Draper is one of my favorite authors. Her books usually focus on high school characters living through high school problems. OUT OF MY MIND heads in a different direction. The main character is faced with the daily struggle of living with severe cerebral palsy. Draper takes readers into a world most can't even come close to imagining.

Melody is trapped not only in a wheelchair but also in her own body. She has very little c...more Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

Sharon M. Draper is one of my favorite authors. Her books usually focus on high school characters living through high school problems. OUT OF MY MIND heads in a different direction. The main character is faced with the daily struggle of living with severe cerebral palsy. Draper takes readers into a world most can't even come close to imagining.

Melody is trapped not only in a wheelchair but also in her own body. She has very little control over her physical functions. She can't walk, can't feed herself, but the worst thing is she can't communicate beyond grunts, squeals, and unreliable facial expressions.

People might think her biggest problems are her obvious physical disabilities, but if Melody could speak, she would reveal that she is actually a very smart young girl. She has a photographic memory, and from as early as she can remember, she has been learning words and storing them away. She learned her alphabet, how to count, and gained early reading skills just like every other youngster whose parents sat them in front of the TV to watch Sesame Street. Melody even has a fairly decent command of a second language, Spanish, thanks to the cultural diversity of preschool TV programming. The fact remains, no one knows because Melody can't tell them.

Fortunately, Melody's parents sense that their child is intelligent and capable of learning just like every other child, maybe even more so. They speak for Melody and insist she attend public school. It hasn't always been successful, because school officials place Melody in a special education room where the teachers haven't always given her the attention she deserves. With the help of one devoted teacher, a college teacher's aide, and a loving neighbor, Melody is given a chance to learn - and also a chance to speak in her own unique way.

Melody's world opens even more when she is mainstreamed into several regular classrooms. She gains confidence and the knowledge that she is as smart as or smarter than many kids her age. With the academic playing field on the level with her peers, she is able to show off her skills and make some friends. However, even though fitting in and being "normal" may be her greatest desire, it might prove to be an impossible dream.

My heart went out to Melody as she struggled to communicate with those around her. Sharon M. Draper captures the frustration Melody faces every moment of every day. Even though Draper provides a supportive family for Melody, she also shows the frustration of raising a child like Melody. With a direct and frank approach, Draper reveals the ups and downs of dealing with cerebral palsy. Draper covers everything from the physical challenges to the crushing guilt associated with having and raising a child with the condition in her trademark style.(less)

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Mar 01, 2013 Frances W. rated it 4 of 5 stars

2/8/13

I'm currently reading the book Out Of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper. Each chapter in this book tells about a different story in Melody's life. One of the chapters is about getting a dog or all of her classmates in her class room (a special classroom for kids with disabilities). My favorite chapter, though, is one where she gets to go into a real classroom! I started to cry because of what children said to her, some were nice and others were mean. This can sort of relate to me, when I first m...more

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Oct 07, 2011 Julia rated it 5 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

10 likes · like · see review

May 06, 2013 Reader-Ducky Hermione Baggins rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: classic, realistic, not-well-written

VERY GOOD!

Praise for Sharon M. Draper's Out of My Mind:
You have a girl, Melody, who has Cerebral Palsy, and all the world's knowledge in her head. She has a photographic memory, synthesesia, and also remembers every word spoken to her, and every scene of her life. But nobody knows. She's trapped inside her own head; and it's driving her crazy.
Spending every day at Spaulding Elementary, every kid thinks her head is a blank. She wants to tell them that it's not; she wants to show them that she'...more

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May 10, 2013 Shlea rated it 5 of 5 stars

THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING AND PERFECT!! It was soooo inspirational! <3
Melody is an OUTSTANDING, INTELLGENT, and KIND fictional character that I absolutely LOVED!! I love everything about Melody and learning more about her life and the difficulties she has to face made me respect her more. Melody is such a strong and powerful character that has really influenced me and hit me right in the heart!!
I HATED most of the her inclusion classmates! They are so cruel and I wanted to punch Claire, Molly, an...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 21, 2011 Josiah rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is the best book that I have read in years. It's right up there near the same plane as the very best books that I have ever read. I had never read any book by Sharon M. Draper before this one, but I think that's about to undergo a major reversal. If she's able to even approach the incredible level that she has achieved in the making of this novel in anything else that she has done, then I want to experience it.

Where do I start in describing a story of the power and magnitude that marks Ou...more This is the best book that I have read in years. It's right up there near the same plane as the very best books that I have ever read. I had never read any book by Sharon M. Draper before this one, but I think that's about to undergo a major reversal. If she's able to even approach the incredible level that she has achieved in the making of this novel in anything else that she has done, then I want to experience it.

Where do I start in describing a story of the power and magnitude that marks Out of My Mind? Melody is a fifth-grade girl who was born with cerebral palsy. Her body is crippled and she can do very little for herself. She can't even talk. She can, however, think, and oh, does she do that like no one else. Trapped inside of her speechless, mostly ineffective body is a golden mind that grasps concepts and factual information at a level nothing short of genius. Melody may look helpless to many outside observers who don't get the chance to actually come to know her, but if value is measured in terms of mental capacity for future learning and retention of what has already been taught, then Melody outshines virtually everyone she meets. She is, without exaggerating to say, a wonder.

But life is never going to be easy or simple for a person with the challenges that belabor Melody every single day. Other kids who don't live the life that Melody lives can't really understand, even if they think they can, and if they're not willing to take the time to look deeper and see how smart and how good Melody is in the ways that matter, then Melody will, ultimately, be the one who pays for their ignorance by not having friends. So, Melody understands "unfair". It's encoded in her genes. She knows "unfair" more intimately than most of us ever will.

The plot of this book rocks back and forth, lighting embers of hope for Melody's future and then extinguishing them, giving us things to laugh about followed by scenes that will move almost any reader to tears, both of happiness and grief. It's all so hard, and so painful, yet the writing of Sharon M. Draper is somehow beyond expert, leading us along the novel's rocky road with unsurpassed ability. There isn't a single paragraph of Melody's story that doesn't jump up from the page with life and vigor, filled with intense relevance to our own lives, and drawing us in to care about Melody even though we know that the happy ending we wish for her is just...impossible.

I have no explanation for why this book did not win the 2011 Newbery Medal, or at least a Newbery Honor. Out of My Mind is one of the deepest, strongest, most innately profound books that I have had the privilege to read in a very, very long time. It's an instant masterpiece. I could never be the same after having read it, and there's no more important remark that I could make than that.

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Sep 28, 2012 Ethan rated it 5 of 5 stars

Sad. So veary inspirational.

4 likes · like · see review

Oct 19, 2010 Nathaniel rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: mock-newberry

This is a novel about a 11 year old girl named Melody. Who is mentally disabled cannot run, walk or even talk. She has these momentes called tornado momentes, where her arms and legs randomley swing about when shes mad. She also has a wonderious ability to see colors when listening to music. When she also makes the academic team, everyone thinks that shes "dumb" so she shouldn`t particapate. When she gets her team to the championship match she is really exited............. TO BE CONTINUED

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Oct 22, 2012 Valerie rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Out of my mind
Sharon M. Draper
295 pages
Realistic fiction

Melody Brooks is a ten year old fifth grader who has cerebral palsy. She has a photographic memory and can remember every word she hears. She also has synesthesia which is the condition in which a person may be able to hear colors or visualize flavors when music is played. “pg. 220” The story is about her life and how difficult it is for her and her parents. Although she has never spoken a word in her life and can’t move or walk, she is ext...more Out of my mind
Sharon M. Draper
295 pages
Realistic fiction

Melody Brooks is a ten year old fifth grader who has cerebral palsy. She has a photographic memory and can remember every word she hears. She also has synesthesia which is the condition in which a person may be able to hear colors or visualize flavors when music is played. “pg. 220” The story is about her life and how difficult it is for her and her parents. Although she has never spoken a word in her life and can’t move or walk, she is extremely smart because of her connection with words. Luckily eventually in the book she buys a machine called the Medi-Talker which speaks the words she types into it. Every year her school, Spalding Street Middle School, has an annual quiz kids competition and surprisingly she is the one and only person who received a score of 100% making the team of four. Her team goes to a T.V. center where they compete against three other schools receiving first place and will fly to D.C. on a Saturday. As she arrives at the airport one of the people that work there tells them that all flights are cancelled and that they can get a flight to D.C. at seven o’clock which would have them arrive after Melody’s competition. Her family is furious at her teammates for not notifying them and decides to stay home and call her teacher. The next day Melody wants to go to school on this rainy day while her mom is sick. Her mom gets frustrated while Melody tries to warn her with no words that she saw her younger sister Penny slip out of the front door while they are trying to leave in the car for school. They feel the bump of Penny’s two year old body and her mom jumps out of the car screaming to get Penny while the ambulance eventually comes. Thankfully Penny is okay and only has a broken leg and some other minor injuries. Melody wishes with all her heart that she could’ve been able to talk or motion to her mom to save Penny.

I would like for melody to be my friend because even though she wouldn’t be able to hang out with me or do anything that my friends and I do, she yearns to be like the “normal kids”, “pg. 281”.
Another reason that I would want her to be my friend is because she also can be very funny. For example if someone says something making fun of her, she has her medi-talker say comebacks like, “we all have disabilities, what’s yours?”, “pg. 168”
My favorite parts of the book are when she says things like that because I don’t think that people should make fun of her and it’s nice that she is able to stand up for herself even if other people don’t. Another favorite part would be when her mom runs over her sister Penny’s leg because it gets you very sad for Penny and Melody because Melody can’t do much to warn her mom and makes you want to scream, “Wait! Stop the car and look outside!!!”
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Nov 30, 2011 Lyn (The Heartless) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, youth-lit, kindle, exceptional-children

Some books are like a snack - light and easy, but still enjoyable. Some books are like a meal - it gives you many ideas and concepts to chew for a few days. Then you have dessert books - not good for you, but so much fun!
This book had to rate a a seven course meal.
"Out of My Mind" is just as clever as Melody. It has a certain finesse that so many books lack nowadays. This novel takes the reader through a life of a young girl who is trapped in her head. Her condition cerebral palsy, prevents Mel...more

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Apr 01, 2012 Mrs. Knott rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: recommended-for-fourth-grade

2013 Bluestem nominee
I really enjoyed this book! Melody is a fifth-grader who has cerebral palsy, which has left her unable to talk. However, ever since she was a little girl, Melody has learned what words mean, and she has a lot to say, but has never been able to say them. As an almost eleven-year-old, she has never had a real way to express herself and tell people how she feels or what she is thinking. Although to look at her, people see someone with a debilitating handicap, but inside, she is...more

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Apr 22, 2012 Ann rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: elementary-school, k-6, prejudice, realistic, disabilities

I felt like a terrible person the entire time I read this book because I disliked it so much, especially since I think that it's an important book and a really thoughtful book in many ways. I was impressed with the author for writing a story from the perspective of someone with cerebral palsy, and thought she did a great job of expressing the difficulties of living with that condition. The intentions were good, but wow, I couldn't stand Melody. If someone talked like she does throughout the book...more

8 likes · like · see review

Mar 25, 2010 Claire Scott rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: disability, high-younger-readers, middle-grade, poc-author

Oh, man. I'm finding this book very difficult to write about. I really want to like this book. Before I was a librarian, I was a disability rights advocate; and of the many experiences that I had during those six years, one of the most intense and formative was supporting a young woman my age who had CP and was nonverbal. She was a client and then a friend, and much of our time together was spent supporting her to learn how to use a speech device to communicate in her own words. She passed away...more Oh, man. I'm finding this book very difficult to write about. I really want to like this book. Before I was a librarian, I was a disability rights advocate; and of the many experiences that I had during those six years, one of the most intense and formative was supporting a young woman my age who had CP and was nonverbal. She was a client and then a friend, and much of our time together was spent supporting her to learn how to use a speech device to communicate in her own words. She passed away a few years ago, and I miss her. Our friendship, and the experience of supporting her to learn to speak using her own words, necessarily colors my reading of this book and others like it - so that's why I feel the need to include it in a book review. My family experience with disability in general and CP in particular changes my perspective too. It makes me an unobjective reader, and prone to judge the book on my own experiences - so of course, take my review with a grain or ten of salt. Please excuse any rambling!

So as a reader, and in my librarian life, I frequently look for books for teens and kids that star characters with disabilities. There are truly wonderful ones (Rules) and terrible ones (So B. It). I particularly keep my eyes open for books that star characters with depth, complexity, and personhood, rather than ones that use people with disabilities as a foil or plot device acting on characters without disabilities. And I frequently get irritated at authors who write ridiculous, inauthentic portrayals of PWD (*cough* So B. It *cough*). I know that gifted authors can write anything -- whether or not it's close to their own life experience -- but I have found that for the most part, authors who write what they know about PWD rather than what they've gleaned from inaccurate pop-culture representations, tend to write better books.

So when I heard about this book, shaped in part by Sharon Draper's own experience as the mother of a child with CP who is nonverbal, I had high hopes. Even though she's not writing about her daughter, her writing must be informed from her experiences - and in some ways, it's really successful. When Draper describes Melody's physical reactions -- really all the ways that everyone can see her from the outside -- it rings true. Her descriptions of Melody's physical reactions are pitch-perfect, as are the reactions she gets from many people around her, the special ed classrooms, and the incredibly frustrating nature of being confined to limited language. Clearly Draper has a lot of insight and an insider perspective that's valuable to us as readers. And she has a worthwhile agenda: she wants young readers to question their assumptions about PWD, including nonverbal people, and to recognize that Melody is brilliant, more than she appears, and underestimated.

I think this is where the premise derails -- from the first page, really. The story is unapologetically didactic, but also stilted in its writing. Melody lacks complexity as a character -- she's brilliant in kind of an Encyclopedia Brown way, with a photographic memory, the ability to retain anything she learns, and perfect spelling. Unfortunately, she has about Encyclopedia's level of depth and well-roundedness as well.

It's not just that this is unlikely -- that people's brains don't develop their neural pathways in quite that orthographic way without a lot of verbal and written practice, regardless of their intelligence. It takes a long, long time with a lot of practice to learn how to be fluent in verbal and written communication, whether you have a disability or not. It doesn't hold water - it's unrealistic and painfully hopeful.

But let's assume that we accept Melody's Encylopedia-Brown-like reality, and suspend disbelief. If we believe that Melody has instant facility with spoken language -- or learned how to use a complex speech device in a single weekend without the support of a speech pathologist -- it makes no sense that Melody wouldn't have been able to communicate effectively with her family and peers. If she has access to even a low-tech letter board (which we know she does), with her perfect spelling and syntax she can communicate almost as effectively as a person who can speak. With a speech device that she can program and use fluently, and the will to use it and 24/7 access to it, she's unstoppable. It's impossible to believe that with such skills and involved parents, she would be so totally disenfranchised in her school and her life in general. Why is she in that isolated special ed classroom in 2010? Where is her IEP and her case worker? She has a 1:1 aide and an effective speech device -- clearly her parents have prevailed through MAJOR negotiations with insurance, school and state funders -- but isn't mainstreamed full-time? Where is her internet, for goodness sakes? It doesn't make any sense, in a real-world context. I could believe it if she had insurmountable barriers to communication, developmental delays, uninvolved or uninformed parents, or a school district that really stonewalled advocacy. Or even if she wasn't the world's best speller. I just can't believe it of her -- and I think it doesn't recognize the many nonverbal people who DO communicate and advocate for themselves effectively despite massive physical impairments. People type out Morse Code with their heels, use a head switch, or use a single working finger to access speech devices.

The book felt like Julie Anne Peters's books to me: yes, the issues in her books DO arise for many LGBTQ youth. Is it realistic that they'd happen to her characters in that way? Not so much.

Oh dear. I could go on about my thoughts on this book for a long time, and I don't mean to disrespect Ms. Draper's intelligence, experience, and hard work as an author. The book shines in the authenticity of its "shown" rather than "told" details - it's in those moments that it rises above the didactic and flat elements of the story. I wish we'd had more moments like those, and I appreciate that they were there. (less)

37 likes · like · see review

Oct 01, 2011 Ellen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010-11middle-grade, 2010-11middleschool

Melody is not like other eleven-year-old girls. She can see colors and words in ways most kids can't and she loves language and learning and can remember everything, like she's recording information. But no matter how much Melody loves learning and how many words she knows, Melody cannot speak.

This is an incredible story from the perspective of a young girl with CP, touching on what it feels like to be an intelligent girl who has trouble trying to communicate with her family, teachers, and frie...more

2 likes · like · see review

Dec 04, 2012 Carolyn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: sad, middle-school

This book was wonderful, even though there were many cons that really got on my nerves. Such as, the way the kids talked were so...10 years ago. Annoying. And Claire and Molly were very,maybe even TOO immature for their age. 'Cooties?' Seriously? I stopped staying that by the end of 1st grade. And they're like, 5th graders. Melody, even though she was disabled, it didn't make her a good person. She was very arrogant.
Also, a small con, but the reading level is ridiculously easy!
And, the pros..It...more

1 like · like · see review

Jun 02, 2010 Ryan rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

5 likes · like · see review

Dec 08, 2010 Huong rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: disease-disorder, read-2010

This is such an amazing book that I just want to re-read it again!

3 likes · like · see review

Nov 28, 2012 Cheryl Wright rated it 4 of 5 stars

1. Genre: Other
2. Summary: Ten year old, Melody, has cerebral palsy and has never talked or walked in her life. Despite her disability, she has an amazing personality but is constantly reminded how difficult it is to express her true feelings. Her only communication is through typing.
3. Critique
a. Style of writing, specifically the point of view in which this story is written
b. Although this book is fiction, it conveys a heart-warming story that is believable. This book puts into perspective t...more

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May 21, 2013 Daniel Feldman rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 4th-quarter

Out of My Mind
Sharon M. Draper

Out of My Mind is a touching story of a girl named Melody who is the smartest girl in school, completely genius, and to add on to her high intelligence Melody also has a photographic memory. Now this might sound like the perfect life for Melody considering her outstanding intelligence, but there is one, HUGE problem in Melody's life that prevents others from recognizing her gift. This is because Melody cannot speak. Not only this but Melody can't walk or even move....more

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May 07, 2013 Jen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: disabilities, inspirational, realistic-fiction

Draper, S. (2010). Out of my mind. New York, New York: Simon & Schuster.

Out of My Mind is about a girl named Melody. She is a very bright 11-year-old girl. The thing is, no one except for her family and close friends know that she’s smart because she can’t talk. Melody has a form of cerebral palsy that confines her thoughts to the inside of her head- hence the title. She longs to be able to communicate, to say to her parents “I love you.” Instead, her arms flail around, she kicks, she drools...more

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May 02, 2013 Shruti S rated it 5 of 5 stars

My favorite character from this book is Melody Brooks. She is the main character, a 11 year old girl with cerebral palsy. Even though she is very intelligent many people dont understand how smart she actually is and this is quite annoying for her. She has to also cope with people who refuse to look beyond her physical condition. I admire her because she has a lot of persistence and patience dealing with no ability to move or express herself and not be understood. Being a reader it helps me under...more

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May 01, 2013 Elizabeth L. rated it 4 of 5 stars

5-1-13

I just started reading the book Out Of My Mind by: Shannon M. Draper. I really am I'm enjoying this book, it is very interesting and detailed throughout the book. This book Is about a eleven year old girl named Melody who has a disease called photographic memory. She is a very smart and intelligent person but nobody knows. Her teachers and doctors think that she can't learn and she needs to be in special classes, but they don't know that she is very smart, and they don't know that because...more

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Apr 18, 2013 Julia G rated it 5 of 5 stars

Realistic Fiction
227 pages
Sharon Draper

This book is about a girl who has a rare disorder that not very many people have. Not a lot of people can understand her because she cant walk or talk. Most people think that she is not very smart because when they ask her simple questions she can't respond. But, inside the brain of hers she is one of the smartest people in her grade. Find out what they solve for her to be able to communicate back and forth to people, and to see what she can really do!

I re...more

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Apr 17, 2013 Krista rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: caudill-2013

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Apr 09, 2013 Kevin White rated it 5 of 5 stars

Book Review: Out of My Mind

Melody has the unique and amazing ability to remember every word or situation that has occurred in her life. She has been learning and mastering words ever since she was two years old. She has stored thousands and thousands of words in her head. As she takes in each word, beautiful colors appear within her memory. Even music paints beautiful colors in her mind. She prefers country because of the bright vibrant colors it paints. However there is a catch to it all, Melo...more Book Review: Out of My Mind

Melody has the unique and amazing ability to remember every word or situation that has occurred in her life. She has been learning and mastering words ever since she was two years old. She has stored thousands and thousands of words in her head. As she takes in each word, beautiful colors appear within her memory. Even music paints beautiful colors in her mind. She prefers country because of the bright vibrant colors it paints. However there is a catch to it all, Melody can’t speak. Melody doesn’t have any control over her body. Her range of emotions is often times displayed as she puts it “her arms and legs go into tornado mode”. Melody has cerebral palsy and has been confined to a wheel chair her whole life. But Melody is an extreme genius whose brain capacity has the unique ability to teach those around her not to judge a book by its cover.
After reading this book, I fell in love with message and meaning behind it all. I became drawn in to the last 140 pages that I read them all in one night. This story shares a unique perspective from Melody’s mind. Since Melody cannot speak words and can only make noises, her internal speech is what the reader relies on. Melody has so many thoughts, and for so long does not have the ability to let them out until her receives her Medi-talker. This book really conveyed the message that you can only judge someone on what occurs on the inside. Melody’s intellect is often challenged by her classmates just because of her appearance. This book teaches student to realize that everyone has amazing things to offer despite a disability they may have. This book also makes notion to the fact that everyone has a disability, however some people’s disability may be more noticeable than others.
Overall, I would absolutely use this book within my classroom! The range of emotion, reflection and enjoyment I received from the book can hopefully be transferred to students. Students at a young age need to realize that everyone is different, and should not be excluded. Melody encounters many instances of adversity, yet overcomes each one with the same resilient attitude. Her message of sticking up for herself is admirable and I believe many students could relate to that. This book could be used as whole class novel or small group novel. The vocabulary is also not too difficult, and the print is slightly larger than normal. Overall, I believe this could be a great tool to help students see there is more to a person than their disabilities or abilities. As students go on this emotional ride throughout the book, there will undoubtedly be lots of discussion.
(less)

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Apr 06, 2013 Cana Rensberger rated it 4 of 5 stars

Love, love, love Sharon Draper. She's the one that hooked me on young adult novels years ago. I didn't realize when I purchased OUT OF MY MIND, that it was a middle grade. Still thoroughly enjoyable. And the plot twist took me completely by surprise! (No spoilers.) Yet I ended up feeling disappointed at the resolution. I felt great disappointment in the adults in Melody's life, that more wasn't done to rectify the situation. That calls were not made to those who could have maybe made things happ...more

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topics	posts	views	last activity
Would you rather not be able to talk or walk??	16	58	May 19, 2013 11:39am
Good or Bad? And Why?	5	21	May 18, 2013 01:14pm
Did you like it	8	28	Apr 25, 2013 05:54pm
Out of My Mind	71	103	Apr 20, 2013 03:02pm

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About Sharon M. Draper

Sharon M. Draper is a professional educator as well as an accomplished writer. She has been honored as the National Teacher of the Year, is a five-time winner of the Coretta Scott King Literary Award, and is a New York Times bestselling author. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio.

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“Words have always swirled around me like snowflakes-each one delicate and different, each one melting untouched in my hands.” — 11 people liked it

“[A] person is so much more than the name of a diagnosis on a chart.” — 10 people liked it

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