Out of My Mind

By Sharon M. Draper

Published in 2010

”Out of my mind” is a hard touching story about  Melody who is a little girl with cerebral palsy since born.  Living with her parents, her little sister and a neighbor whom always take care of her. She is a very smart kid trapped in a body completely non-verbal, in a wheelchair, and unable to hold a glass of water or even a fork.  One day her mom take her to the doctor. That day the doctor announced she was retarded. What is not believable for her parents. Melody was in fifth grade at Spaulding Street Elementary school in a class with kids with disabilities. The school implemented a  inclusion program that allowed her to be around with other kids. It was a scary thing for her but at the same time, she was very excited about it. She experienced different classes. Unfortunately, some kids and a particular teacher made Melody feels bad for her condition. Not everything was bad. With the help of her aid, Melody discovered Medi-Talker – a computerized device that let Melody speak for the first time in her life. That discovery was something that made her parents listened ”I love you” from her for the first time. Finally,  Melody finished her story where she began.

Main characters

Melody Brooks.
She is the narrator and protagonist of the story. She is in fifth grade and almost eleven years old. she born with cerebral palsy unable to walk, talk and even dress.
Diane Brooks.
She is Melody’s mother and a nurse in a hospital. She is in charge of the morning routine of Melody. Diane knows the magnitude of intelligent her daughter has, and she never gives up fighting for education and good opportunities for Melody.
Mrs. Violet Valencia (Mrs. V).
The amazing woman who is Melody’s neighbor. She helps Melody to comunicate with others through her board. She is always adding new words to the board to provide Melody a more complete interaction.
Rose Spencer.
She is a fifth-grade student in general classes in the same school as Melody. She is the first kid that accepted Melody in the inclusion program. They become friends but even though sometimes Rose make laugh at Melody like the other kids.

” I’m not trying to be mean-honest-but it just never occurred to me that Melody has thoughts in her head” Draper, Sharon M. Out of My Mind. W. Ross MacDonald School Resource Services Library, 2016.

This quote is from Claire who is Melody’s classmate. what she means is that she think Melody doesn’t think too much, and she is retarded.

”You’ve always been able to say whatever came to your mind, Claire. All of you. But Melody has been forced to be silent. She probably has mountains of stuff to say” Draper, Sharon M. Out of My Mind. W. Ross MacDonald School Resource Services Library, 2016.

This quote is from Melody’s teacher. It means that Melody is a kid like others but with an unfortunate condition but it doesn’t mean she can not think by herself and wants to say something like others do.

1.Gulped
To swallow eagerly, or in large drafts (often followed by down).
2. Thums
The short, thick, inner digit of the human hand, next to the forefinger.
3. Puddle
A small pool of water, as of rainwater on the ground.
4. sheepish
Embarrassed or bashful, as by having done something wrong or foolish.
5.Puke
To vomit.
6. Gag
To stop up the mouth of ( a person) by putting something in it, thus preventing speech, shouts, etc.
7. Grinned
To smile broadly, especially as an indication of pleasure, amusement, or the like.
8. Blared
To emit a loud, raucous sound.

I definitely recommend this book. Once I read the description of Out of My Mind, I fell for it. This book will immediately catch your attention because you feel like your friend telling you her life story. You’ll imagine how hard cannot be able to say what you want to express.  I could read this book hundreds of times. If you know someone with a disabling condition, this story will touch your heart and me you understand their life.