Out of My Mind

I bought Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper when it was first released in hardcover a couple of years ago. I was intrigued by the information on the back cover, and I heard positive feedback, especially from a student teacher who did a practicum in my room and a 6th grade student who was an avid reader.

When I started reading it this week, I was initially a bit disappointed as it did not instantly capture my interest as Draper's YA books typically do. However, as I progressed through the book, I started to enjoy it more. Even in those early chapters, I frequently thought back to my 6th grade student, remembering how she shared that the book really impacted her thinking. I knew that I had to continue reading, to give the book more of a chance, and luckily, I was not disappointed. 

Almost eleven year old Melody has words, memories, facts, information, and urgent necessities that she would love to share, but she cannot. Growing up with cerebral palsy has not been easy for Melody or her family. While she does have a communication board with limited vocabulary, she has so much more that she would like to express. Understandably, her lack of ability to communicate fully frustrates her. 

As a 5th grader big changes are in store. For the first time she goes to mainstream classes in an inclusion environment, and she finds a way to communicate more and show her intelligence. She almost feels like a "normal" kid. Almost. Her peers do not necessarily accept her because of her cerebral palsy and sometimes when she most wants to say something, she can't. 

As the book progressed the title of the book revealed itself in a powerful way, as did the cover image, another pivotal event, and the words on the back cover. The more I read, the more I appreciated Draper's craft in putting this story together. This middle grade novel makes readers think about the way they perceive others and to re-examine perceptions of capabilities, making it an excellent choice for a read aloud, book club, or as an independent read.