a.
Melody is a young girl
with cerebral palsy that wishes she could be out of her mind. Initially, all of
her thoughts, feelings and needs are crammed inside her mind with no way of
expressing them. Melody cannot move her body at will nor can she communicate. She
describes the ways she began to realize at a young age her differences and the
reactions other people have to her. Melody is a very bright girl who has the
same feelings and experiences in school as most other students. She worries
about what others will think, if she has friends who truly like her or just
deal with her. She worries about people talking about her or ignoring her. The
difference is she can blame it on her disability. At the same time, her
disability causes those around her to underestimate her abilities. Her family
believes in her as well as Mrs. V. but other people simply do not see her
potential. She goes through many school years with incapable or uninterested
teachers who do little to get to her her class well. The story also provides
fantastic events that seem a bit unbelievable like making the quiz team, then
the team making it to nationals but they leave her without calling. That seemed
like a stretch. Mr. Dimming’s would have been in hot water with administration
for that. All in all, Melody’s story was enjoyable, a tearjerker and one to
recommend.
b.
Draper, S. (2010). Out of my mind. New York: Atheneum
Books.
c.
Draper did a fabulous
job of creating an honest and realistic work of fiction about the life a girl
with disabilities. She writes about her life so that readers can feel what it
is like in her shoes, feeling her emotions and frustrations. Melody is not a
mopey girl whose story drags on and on. Her story has twists and turns that you
wouldn’t expect. She is blessed with a loving family and small network of
support. While reading this story, I was reminded of individual that I have met
before and wondered if they felt the same way. Most people believe that there
is nothing going on the minds of people with disabilities and this book makes
you wonder just how wrong we are. The author included assistive technology that
is priceless for Melody while also highlighting the mounds of paperwork and
slow approval process that insurance follow just to get people what they need.
Once Melody gets her keyboard, she is on fire. It was exciting to watch unfold
from her perspective as she hoped to earn her spot on the time while worrying
about what others thought of her.
d.
Follos, A. (2010). Out of my mind. School
Library Journal, 56(3), 156.
^DRAPER,
Sharon M. Out of My Mind. 304p. CIP. S & S/Atheneum. Mar. 2010.
Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-1-4169-7170-2. LC 2009018404. Gr 4-6-
Born
with cerebral palsy. Melody, 10, has never spoken a word. She is a brilliant
fifth grader trapped in an uncontrollable body. Her world is enhanced by
insight and intellect, but gypped by physical limitations and
misunderstandings. She will never sing or dance, talk on the phone, or whisper
secrets to her friends. She's not complaining, though; she's planning and
fighting the odds. In her court are family, good neighbors, and an attentive
student teacher. Pitted against her is the "normal" world; schools
with limited resources, cliquish girls, superficial assumptions, and her own
disability'. Melody's life is tragically complicated. She is mainly placed in
the special-ed classroom where education means being babysat in a room with
replayed cartoons and nursery tunes. Her supportive family sets her up with a
computer. She learns the strength of thumbs as she taps on a special keyboard
that finally lets her "talk." When she is transitioned into the
regular classroom. Melody's undeniable contribution enables her class to make
it to the national quiz team finals. Then something happens that causes her to
miss the finals, and she is devastated by her class- mates' actions. Kids will
benefit from being introduced to Melody and her gutsy, candid, and compelling
story'. It speaks volumes and reveals the quiet strength and fortitude it takes
to overcome disabilities and the misconceptions that go with them.-Alison Follos, North Country School,
Lake Placid, NY
e.
Out of My Mind is a
great book for upper grades as well as staff. I would suggest it to teachers
and staff for professional development. Although it is a work of fiction, I
think the lesson is very plainly that all students are different and can
achieve differently when the right people are rooting for them. Melody and all
children can do so much more when they have the support and love of their
teachers, families and friends.
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