Out of my mind

Melody Brooks is eleven years old. To the other children at school, Melody is just the dumb girl in the wheelchair. They do not know or care that she has a photographic memory and absorbs information easily. Melody has cerebral palsy and cannot speak and cannot use her hands so no one knows how clever she is and how interested she is in what is occurring around her. Melody is therefore a prisoner in her world.

Fortunately Melody does have support from her parents and a few of the teachers at school but her main assistance comes from Catherine, her teaching aide at school and her next door neighbour, Mrs V, who work tirelessly to encourage Melody. They also discover a way to allow her to express her thoughts in the world outside her mind.

However as Melody's abilities become apparent, she encounters an even greater backlash from her classmates including those who had sometimes appeared friendly in the past. Melody discovers that although she can now express herself, not everyone is prepared to listen.  

In Out of My Mind Sharon M Draper has written a novel for young readers encouraging them not to judge the ability of other people by their appearance. Melody has to face up to the things that she cannot do but also adapts to the use of technology such as an electric wheelchair and an electronic communicator to help overcome some of her challenges. She also begins to realise who her real friends are and how to assert herself if necessary. This is a good novel to encourage children to consider their attitudes to people who may be different to them.

Out of My Mind is a book being studied by my grandson in grade 6 at school.