Out of My Mind
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4.5 • 68 Ratings
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
A New York Times bestseller for three years and counting!
“A gutsy, candid, and compelling story. It speaks volumes.” —School Library Journal (starred review)
“Unflinching and realistic.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
From award-winning author Sharon Draper comes a story that will forever change how we all look at anyone with a disability, perfect for fans of RJ Palacio’s Wonder.
Eleven-year-old Melody is not like most people. She can’t walk. She can’t talk. She can’t write. All because she has cerebral palsy. But she also has a photographic memory; she can remember every detail of everything she has ever experienced. She’s the smartest kid in her whole school, but NO ONE knows it. Most people—her teachers, her doctors, her classmates—dismiss her as mentally challenged because she can’t tell them otherwise. But Melody refuses to be defined by her disability. And she’s determined to let everyone know it…somehow.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Melody Brooks, in a wheelchair and unable to speak, narrates this story about finding her voice. The first half of the book catalogues Melody's struggles from her frustration with learning the same preschool lessons year after year to her inability to express a craving for a Big Mac. Draper, whose daughter has cerebral palsy, writes with authority, and the rage behind Melody's narrative is perfectly illustrated in scenes demonstrating the startling ignorance of many professionals (a doctor diagnoses Melody as profoundly retarded ), teachers, and classmates. The lack of tension in the plot is resolved halfway through when Melody, at age 10, receives a talking computer, allowing her to speak. Only those with hearts of stone won't blubber when Melody tells her parents I love you for the first time. Melody's off-the-charts smarts are revealed when she tests onto her school's quiz bowl team, and the story shifts to something closer to The View from Saturday than Stuck in Neutral. A horrific event at the end nearly plunges the story into melodrama and steers the spotlight away from Melody's determination, which otherwise drives the story. Ages 10 up.
Customer Reviews
Out Of My Mind
I feel like out of my mind was very enjoyable and I feel like the big message behind it was to not take the simple things for granted. For example, being able to speak, walk and just being able to move freely without anything stopping you. I really liked this book because some parts you can really relate to and it makes you want to read more. From this book I have learnt that you can’t judge someone by the way they look, the way they think or the way they talk because no matter how someone looks on the outside you can never really understand what’s going on on the inside. I feel like the author ended the text with the start repeated at the end because they really want you to know the big message behind the book and to make you know what Melody is going through.
Aussie Student - 12yrs old
Out of my mind is great 😀😀😀!!!!
This book is a book that teaches you a lesson on don’t judge a book by it cover. The story is so interesting and also teaches another lesson that people like Melody’s life is tougher. Thanks Sharon M. Draper for writing this book.
Age 12
Reflective
As an educator of 10 or so years now, I have frequently read to my students on a range of topics.
Reflections at the conclusion of this text from my students were almost all positive with all taking some message or understanding of differences between others. Messages of acceptance, equality and first impressions were the strongest made.
A very good read for my middle school students!