From the Bookshelf of Mock Newbery 2026…
Find A Copy At
Group Discussions About This Book
No group discussions for this book yet.
What Members Thought
Wow! What a powerful book. Definitely stands a chance of being nominated for a Schneider Family Awards/ALA 2011 for a MG novel with a character with a disability.
The story is about an 11 year old girl Melody who has severe CP. Melody is cognitively intact but no one but her family really believes how intelligent she is until there is a way for her to "find her voice". When Melody is finally given a computer/assistive technology device that can "speak" for her, her world opens up in new ways. Sh ...more
The story is about an 11 year old girl Melody who has severe CP. Melody is cognitively intact but no one but her family really believes how intelligent she is until there is a way for her to "find her voice". When Melody is finally given a computer/assistive technology device that can "speak" for her, her world opens up in new ways. Sh ...more
4/14 Re-reading...just as good the second (or third time around)
This was an amazing MG/YA novel that I think most adults would enjoy as well. This book made me laugh and cry and really opened my eyes to what the mind of a person with cerebral palsy must be feeling.
Out of My Mind is the story of Melody, an 11 year old girl with a high IQ and absolutely no way to communicate. She has never spoken and can only point to words on her communication board until one day she recieved a Medi-Talker and h ...more
This was an amazing MG/YA novel that I think most adults would enjoy as well. This book made me laugh and cry and really opened my eyes to what the mind of a person with cerebral palsy must be feeling.
Out of My Mind is the story of Melody, an 11 year old girl with a high IQ and absolutely no way to communicate. She has never spoken and can only point to words on her communication board until one day she recieved a Medi-Talker and h ...more
The first chapter is a beautiful reflection on the power of words. The main character, Melody, speaking in first-person, talks about how they float around her, and have always been there to describe her thoughts and memories. Even so, she has never been able to utter a single one. She has cerebral palsy and though her mind is extremely active and aware, her body is only two thumbs that act as they should. With the attention of her lovingly strong-bodied and strong-willed neighbor Mrs. V added to
...more
Realistic fiction, disabilities, family, friendship, identity.
I read this book in one day and LOVE it. The first chapter hooked me because Melody collects words even though she can not speak. She has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheel chair.
Some of the reasons this is a powerful book are that:
1. As a child with disabilities--how she talks about her teachers. The teachers who are pathetic and the teachers who are wonderful. These pages are perfect for preservice and even inservice teacher ...more
I read this book in one day and LOVE it. The first chapter hooked me because Melody collects words even though she can not speak. She has cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheel chair.
Some of the reasons this is a powerful book are that:
1. As a child with disabilities--how she talks about her teachers. The teachers who are pathetic and the teachers who are wonderful. These pages are perfect for preservice and even inservice teacher ...more
What a fantastic book. Draper does an amazing job getting the reader inside the head of a child with cerebral palsy. Touching and eye-opening.
Very good book. I think it is in a tight race with Countdown for the 2011 Newbery.
3.5 Rating.
A girl named Melody is super smart with a photographic memory. She remembers everything anyone says to her, every program on television, and every word she’s ever read. She can’t express these smarts, however, because she can’t talk or write because she has cerebral palsy. Luckily she has parents who advocate for her, and a neighbor who believes she can achieve even more than her parents.
Unfortunately, the school system doesn't see her brilliance, sticking her is a special ed class al ...more
A girl named Melody is super smart with a photographic memory. She remembers everything anyone says to her, every program on television, and every word she’s ever read. She can’t express these smarts, however, because she can’t talk or write because she has cerebral palsy. Luckily she has parents who advocate for her, and a neighbor who believes she can achieve even more than her parents.
Unfortunately, the school system doesn't see her brilliance, sticking her is a special ed class al ...more
This book touched my heart! It is the story of a 10 year old girl with cerebral palsy who is unable to walk or speak, but who is extremely intelligent. The story is told in first person and the reader is really able to feel Melody's frustration with other children, her parents and even doctors. This book should be a contender for the 2011 Newbery Award.
...more
A lyrically beautiful book that really makes us think about the importance of communication. How horrible would it be to have worlds of information inside you and have no way to share it. This book introduces us to a truly unforgettable young lady with much more than her fair share of burdens to bear. Lovely
It's one of the best children's books I've read in the past year - an incredible book to teach compassion and empathy. I can't wait to see how my 4th graders will respond to the book.
...more
I think this was a wonderful book on children who are different, what they are feeling and how others react to them.
This is absolutely one of my favorite books of all time... to be continued
Very eloquent description of what Melody experiences not being able to talk. Beautifully written and really pegs how mean 5th graders can be. Can't believe the ending!
...more
Jun 23, 2010
Joshua Whiting
marked it as to-read
Aug 19, 2013
Kim
marked it as to-read
May 09, 2017
Karen
marked it as to-read
May 25, 2018
Annie
marked it as to-read
