Out of My Mind

I decided to read Out of My Mind when my 5th-grade daughter was assigned to read it for school. It’s the story of Melody, a 5th-grade girl with severe cerebral palsy. She’s in a wheelchair and can’t talk at all. However, she’s extremely intelligent. One day, she gets a computer that can talk for her, similar to what Stephen Hawking uses, and that changes everything. Almost. Even though Melody can speak, she is still vastly underestimated by both children and teachers at school. Some of the students are downright mean. Almost no one has any faith in her when she decides to try out for the school’s quiz bowl team.

I have seen some adult reviewers who thought it was unrealistic that Melody learned to use the speaking computer so quickly without the help of a speech pathologist. I’m sure it is. It’s also unrealistic that she never had any doctor’s appointments or physical therapy. However, I don’t think the point of the story was to teach 5th graders the specific medical details of a person with CP’s life. I think the simplified version accomplishes what the author set out to do. If a reader is interested in learning more about the medical side of having CP, I’m sure there are other books for that.

Out of My Mind is a great story for kids around Melody’s age to show them that you can’t always tell what’s inside a person by just looking at them. Melody is in a special education classroom with kids that not only have physical disabilities but intellectual disabilities as well. Children reading this book will see that all types of kids with disabilities have feelings and young readers will empathize with them. Actually, any age reader will emphasize with them – this book made me cry! My daughter and I both give Out of My Mind our recommendation, especially for middle-grade readers. ( )

Melody is different than most people, she has cerebral palsy. While having cerebral palsy she has a photographic memory and can remember every single thing she has done and been through. Melody is tired of letting her disability define her so she is making a point to show her classmates she is someone other than the girl with disabilities.
10/10 recommend ( )

Out of My Mind gives an entirely new and detailed perspective of how our society almost neglects feelings, thoughts, and other cognitive functions in people who have disabilities. Melody (the main character) is a prime example of this. She can't walk or talk yet she is still equally as bright if even brighter than her classmates. Out of My Mind perfectly depicts her struggles and enables the reader to see her perspective of life. This book teaches a few different lessons, one of which being although we can make an assumption of someone just by looking at them people are constantly full of surprises and doubting someone's abilities based on the way they look, the color of their skin, etc. is never accurate and reflects negatively on yourself than it does the person. ( )

When a book makes me chuckle, cringe, cry, and cheer, well, WOW! Should be required reading for anyone between 9 and 90. "We all have disabilities. What's yours?" ( )

Strengths: Very readable, with a strong beginning and an interesting view into the mind of a girl with CP who cannot speak.

Weaknesses: It's too pat. She's too brilliant, her teachers are all too dismissive, the other kids are two-dimensional. It's the kind of book that gets dated quickly.

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