Out of My Mind

Out of My Mind is a realistic fiction novel by Sharon Draper that focuses on a girl named Melody who has cerebral palsy.  The novel is a New York Times bestseller and has also won many other awards. Sharon Draper is the 1997 National Teacher of the Year and has used that experience here in the hopes of helping others better understand children with unique needs. There is a sequel to the novel, Out of My Heart, which continues the story of Melody in the following year.  The novel is about 300 pages, but is also available in audio form. There are rumors a film is being made of the novel and could be released at the end of 2023 on Disney+. 

Melody is an incredibly smart girl who can memorize almost anything she sees and hears.  She cares deeply for others and notices the smallest of details in the world around her.  She loves music and loves to laugh.  But there are many things Melody cannot do because she has cerebral palsy: walk, feed herself, write, brush her teeth, and - most importantly - talk.  Melody has so many thoughts swirling in her head she longs to share with the people around her, but she is trapped in her own head.  Every day she fights a battle to communicate with the people that care for her most - her mom, her dad, and the next door neighbor, Ms. V. These people believe in her most and come the closest for seeing Melody for who she truly is, while having to prove herself to doctors and even teachers that she is so much more inside the body she is trapped in.  She longs to be free of the limitations her body sets for her and just be "normal." Then one day Melody's world flips upside down. She and her school aid, Catherine, discover the Medi-Talker, a communication machine that will allow Melody to share her thoughts with others.  Suddenly Melody's world is open to new possibilities unlike she has ever had before. With her school beginning inclusion classes, Melody is even able to go into the classroom at her school for class with other kids who do not have the struggles Melody does. But this new-found freedom brings its own challenges. Making friends and fitting in are hard enough without having the struggles Melody has, but with the support of her parents, Ms. V, and Catherine, she is determined to be as "normal" as possible. 

Out of My Mind is a MUST read for all, no matter the age or gender or where you live.  This is one of those novels that just makes you a better person for reading it.  Girls may gravitate to this novel a bit more; the narrator is female and she has a strong desire to "fit in" with her able-bodied classmates. However, this is a read that is valuable for all.  It doesn't have the action packed into other novels, but the events do move quickly. It is great for kids of all ages and completely appropriate for all, but probably the best suited for students in grades 5-7. Through the novel Melody shares her heart with the reader and speaks openly about her own struggles with her limitations, including how they make her feel.  The reader is able to learn how to be a better friend to those that have special needs and how we can help those with unique needs feel more included and empowered to be a part of life to the fullest.  This novel made me smile, cheer, cry, gasp, and everything in between.