Book
Out of My Mind
Written by Sharon M. Draper
Citation
Draper, S.M. (2010). Out of my mind. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Summary
Melanie is stuck. Suffering from cerebral palsy, Melanie's body doesn't do what her mind wants it to do. And so, she is stuck. No words. No thoughts. No ideas. No emotions. Her outside doesn't match her inside. Out of My Mind is the story of what happens on the inside, despite what is happening on the outside of a young girl whose daily challenge is dealing with the affects of cerebral palsy. Melanie's wit and humor draw the reader in immediately, endearing her to us forever. We fight and rally for her as she learns to use a Medi-Talker to help her communicate with those who have always thought of her as a retard. We are appalled with prejudices and injustice strikes. This book acts as an introduction on how to get to know a person on the inside, no matter what they look like on the outside.
Reviews
Booklist Starred (January 1, 2010): Grades 5-8. Fifth-grader Melody has cerebral palsy, a condition that affects her body but not her mind. Although she is unable to walk, talk, or feed or care for herself, she can read, think, and feel. A brilliant person is trapped inside her body, determined to make her mark in the world in spite of her physical limitations. Draper knows of what she writes; her daughter, Wendy, has cerebral palsy, too. And although Melody is not Wendy, the authenticity of the story is obvious. Told in Melody’s voice, this highly readable, compelling novel quickly establishes her determination and intelligence and the almost insurmountable challenges she faces. It also reveals her parents’ and caretakers’ courage in insisting that Melody be treated as the smart, perceptive child she is, and their perceptiveness in understanding how to help her, encourage her, and discourage self-pity from others. Thoughtless teachers, cruel classmates, Melody’s unattractive clothes (“Mom seemed to be choosing them by how easy they’d be to get on me”), and bathroom issues threaten her spirit, yet the brave Melody shines through. Uplifting and upsetting, this is a book that defies age categorization, an easy enough read for upper-elementary students yet also a story that will enlighten and resonate with teens and adults. Similar to yet the antithesis of Terry Trueman’s Stuck in Neutral (2000), this moving novel will make activists of us all.
Library Media Connection (May/June 2010): Melody, an 11-year-old girl with cerebral palsy, who cannot speak or walk, tells the story of her daily struggles. While Melody cannot express herself through words, those around her realize that she understands more than she has been given credit for. Melody?s mother enrolls her at their neighborhood elementary school where she is placed in a classroom for physically and mentally challenged students. The teacher decides that her students are going to be included in ?regular? classroom activities, and Melody is given a computer, which allows her to express herself by speaking for her. She is able to join a group of students who participate in a national quiz bowl. Once everyone realizes that Melody has far more talent than many of the ?regular? students, they question their treatment of others. This title is a wonderful way to remind students that everybody is different, but they can excel in various ways. It would be a reassuring choice for a child who has a special needs family member. Students who are generally interested in those who are different would enjoy it too. Recommended.
Suggested Use
This book could be used as a springboard for a humanities class. Because the main character has no other means of communications beside the Medi-Talker that comes mid-way through the book, students, after reading multiple chapters could create and establish another way for someone with speaking disabilities to communicate. Or, to make the project broader, allow students to create and invent something that would aid another student with a disability.
Impression
I read this book to my fourth graders as part of our Bluebonnet Book Club as Out of My Mind was nominated as a Texas Bluebonnet Award nominee. The concepts were high-level, demanding a certain level of maturity to deal with what was written about. I was amazed at how quickly Melanie was endeared to them. They, almost immediately, began to think of ways for Melanie to better include herself with her peers. The thinking process exploded as they tried to understand and visualize what it would be like to be perfectly capable in mind but have a body that wouldn't cooperate. And, the emotions that flooded when the quiz team lacked compassion and understanding toward their most valuable team member was astounding. I loved this book and loved what discussion came out of reading aloud to a group of fourth graders.
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