Module 7 : Out of My Mind

 

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SUMMARY
This is a story about a strong and intelligent young lady who has cerebral palsy, yet no one knows just how bright she is until she receives a machine that allows her to communicate like she has never done before. She excels in life to the best of her abilities, she makes friends, and eventually gets to be on a scholastic team. She has the opportunities to travel with her teammates, until an unfortunate event happens.


APA REFERENCE
Draper, S. (2010). Out of my mind. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

IMPRESSIONS
Out of My Mind is well written, and full of emotions. The reader is placed in the mind of a young girl with cerebral palsy, and is taken on an emotional journey through her daily struggles at home, and at school. The reader is allowed to feel the pains and joys of her life, and Melody becomes a part of the reader by the end of the story.


PROFESSIONAL REVIEW
[Review of the book Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper]. Kirkus review retrieved on October 14, 2014 from https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/sharon-m-draper/out-of-my-mind/.

Melody, diagnosed with cerebral palsy, cannot walk or talk. Despite her parents’ best efforts, the outside world has defined her by her condition. Melody’s life changes when inclusion classrooms are introduced in her school, and she interacts with children other than those in her special-needs unit. To these children, Melody is “other,” and they are mostly uncomfortable with her sounds and jerky movements. Normal problems of school friendships are magnified. Preparation for a trivia competition and acquisition of a computer that lets her communicate her thoughts reveal Melody’s intelligence to the world. Melody is an entirely complete character, who gives a compelling view from inside her mind. Draper never shies away from the difficulties Melody and her family face. Descriptions of both Melody’s challenges—“Going to the bathroom at school just plain sucks”—and the insensitivities of some are unflinching and realistic. Realistically, Melody’s resilient spirit cannot keep her from experiencing heartbreak and disappointment even after she has demonstrated her intellect. This book is rich in detail of both the essential normalcy and the difficulties of a young person with cerebral palsy.

LIBRARY USES
Since this book is too long for a read aloud in the library, a good use would be to ask the ELA teachers to read this book in class and then upon completion come to the library have a class discussion about tolerance and understanding their fellow students that may deal with the same difficulties day in and day out.