Out of My Mind

Out of My Mind

By Sharon M. Draper

380 ratings 505 reviews 558 followers
Interest LevelReading LevelReading A-ZATOSWord Count
Grades 4 - 8Grades 3 - 5S4.356872
Possessing a photographic memory in spite of an inability to walk or speak, Melody is mistaken as mentally challenged by those who cannot see beyond her cerebral palsy, impelling her to discover a way to communicate.
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
ISBN-13: 9781416971719
ISBN-10: 1416971718
Published on 5/1/2012
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 320

Book Reviews (484)

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Melody Brooks, a 10 year old girl in the fifth grade, who has cerebral palsy (CP) which causes her not to be able to speak even a single word. She cannot walk, or move herself. Every year at her school (Spaulding Street) she stays in the same classroom, Room H-5. Melody is starting to get tired of the same classroom every year. Until finally Spaulding Street has a program, which is called - inclusion classes with "normal" kids. At her school, her aid Catherine has heard news about a Whiz Kids competition. Catherine encourages Melody to try out for Whiz Kids. After a while, Melody has made two enemies, Claire Wilson and Molly North, and one "friend" Rose Spencer, who is her teammate in the Whiz Kids competition. The students in the class of H-5 were; Ashley (disability unknown), Maria (Down Syndrome), and Freddy (disability also unknown). Later in the book, Melody gets a new sister, Penny. Penny is able-bodied, not much like Melody, and sometimes Melody has a tendency to be jealous of Penny, because Penny is "normal". This book shows that even though some kids have disabilities they can still do anything they set their minds to, no matter the opinions of others. I have finished reading this book with my TODHH (Teacher-Of-Deaf-and-Hard-of-Hearing) to work on my reading skills. I would definitely recommend this book. Happy Reading!

Melody loves words. She always had. They pile up inside her. But nobody knows. Melody has CP, and everybody assumes she's dumb. If only somebody could see inside her before she goes out of her mind.

Meet Melody. Melody was born with cerebral palsy, which means she cannot walk, talk, eat on her own, or take herself to the bathroom. Even though she has cerebral palsy, Melody is super intelligent and has a love for learning, but she has been in the same disabled classroom, hearing the same alphabet lessons day after day. When the school starts offering inclusion classes, Melody gets excited and takes an English class. When to opportunity to be on the whis kids quiz team arises, Melody tries and makes the team. Melody also gets a little sister named Penny. One day, Melody knows Penny is outside, but her mom can't tell because, well,. Melody cant talk. If she could have talked, Penny would not have been injured. With a meditalker, her wheelchair, and a brain that is full of intelligence, Melody has so much to say. This book is awesome for all ages to ready about cerebral palsy, and to learn how to be kind to people with disabilities, and to treat them the same was as normal humans. Overall a great book, but some younger readers might find it weird. An amazing story for ages 10+. foreverregancorn

If you enjoy heartfelt, funny and amazing books, I HIGHLY recommend this book!

Meet melody, a intelligent, kind, and bold girl. Born with cerbal palsy, melody cannot speak, walk, feed herself, or even take herself to the bathroom! Melody’s adventure seems endless with excitement, sadness, and surprise. It almost made me sad cry and happy cry! It’s a really good book! I highly recommend it! - kangy tangy!

Since she has Cerebral Palsy (CP), Melody has always had to rely on someone else to do everything for her. She feels trapped in her own skin. But having CP doesn't only mean not being self-sufficient, it also means she can't talk. Or walk. Or sing. Or anything. But that doesn't stop her from being smart. In fact, Melody is the smartest kid in her class, but no one know it. Melody has the ability to feel words and see music. Country music is yellow, like sweet lemonade. But jazz is gray and soundless. Melody is a special girl, but no one know that either. Until one day, that all changes. When Melody gets a Medi-Talker, a device that can speak for her, she is able to express herself in ways she didn't know was possible. But now a new problem arises; is everyone ready to hear Melody? I didn't expect to like this book, but it ended up being one of my favorite books. I honestly couldn't put it down! It's inspiring, heartwarming, and funny. It teaches the importance of believing in yourself even when no one else will. I found this book motivating. It made me grateful for the ability to talk and sing and even move. The reader will definitely walk away from this book inspired and grateful. This book is like none other I have ever read. It was amazing in the fact that the author made you feel like you were Melody. You feel trapped just as much as Melody. You can feel and understand the frustration Melody shows in the story. There's a lot of heart in this book that makes it wonderful. I suggest this book if you like reading about people that overcome disabilities, and family. Happy reading!

I looooove the book, it talks about a girl, Melody, that has spastic bilateral quadriplegia, also known as cerebral palsy. It limits her body and not her mind. She will have to face everyone, including Claire and Molly, her bullies. She cant walk, or talk, or eat, or even go to the bathroom. She once had a goldfish named Ollie that jumped out of his bowl. She now has a Golden Retriever Puppy named Butterscotch and a little sister called Penny. She also has a personal aide named Catherine that goes to the university. The book is very touching

Eleven-year old Melody has a photograpic memory. Her head is like a video camera that is always recording. Always. And there's no delete button. She's the smartest kid in the whole school- but NO ONE knows it. Most people- her teachers and doctors inculded- don't think she is capable of learning, and up until recently her school days consisted of listening to the same preschool-level alphabet lessons again and again and again. If only she could speak up, if only she could tell people what she thinks and knows... but she can't because Melody can't talk. She can't walk. She can't write. Being stuck inside her head is making Melody go out of her mind- that is, until she discovers something that will allow her to speak for the first time ever. At last Melody has a voice... but not everyone around is ready to hear it.

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