Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper

4.7 (23)
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Product details

Web ID: 15843554

A New York Times bestseller for three years and counting! A gutsy, candid, and compelling story. It speaks volumes. -School Library Journal (starred review) Unflinching and realistic. -Kirkus Reviews (starred review) From award-winning author Sharon Draper comes a story that will forever change how we all look at anyone with a disability, perfect for fans of RJ Palacio's Wonder. Eleven-year-old Melody is not like most people. She can't walk. She can't talk. She can't write. All because she has cerebral palsy. But she also has a photographic memory, she can remember every detail of everything she has ever experienced. She's the smartest kid in her whole school, but NO ONE knows it. Most people - her teachers, her doctors, her classmates dismiss her as mentally challenged because she can't tell them otherwise. But Melody refuses to be defined by her disability. And she's determined to let everyone know it... somehow.

  • Product Features

    • Suggested age range - 10-14 Years
    • Format - Paperback
    • Product dimensions - 5.2" W x 7.48" H x 0.88" D
    • Genre - Fiction
    • Publication Date: 05-01-2012
    • Page count - 320
    • ISBN - 9781416971719
    • Sharon M. Draper (Author)
    • Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
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Ratings & Reviews

4.7/5

23 star ratings & reviews

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2 months ago
from Lancaster, CA

The Perfect Empathy Building Story

I picked up this book for the PopSugar Group Read (#43 on the PS Challenge: Book with a Nonverbal Character) and I can’t believe I let it sit on my shelf for so long. This story is a powerful reminder of the importance of equity and inclusion, with a main character, Melody, whose brilliance and love for words shine through despite her nonverbal cerebral palsy. 🌱 Why It Stands Out: 🗣️ Voice Beyond Words – Melody’s journey is a testament to the power of finding your voice, even when it feels like the world can’t or won’t hear you. 👨‍👩‍👧 Family Dynamics – Her parents’ fierce advocacy and relentless belief in her potential serve as a reminder of the critical role families play in shaping the lives of differently-abled children. 👵 Community Impact – The influence of Melody’s neighbor highlights the profound difference one person can make in the life of another, simply by believing in their potential. 🎒 Relatable Struggles – Beyond her disability, Melody faces the everyday challenges of growing up, reminding readers that even the most extraordinary lives are still shaped by ordinary struggles. 📚 Final Take: This is a must-read for anyone looking to build their empathy muscles and challenge their perceptions of ability and communication. Highly recommended.

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

5 months ago

I loved this book

You should read this book before watching the movie because of all the changes!

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

8 months ago
from Raleigh, NC

Important Read!

I truly enjoyed and appreciated this book. As an educator, I feel like I learned some things reading it, and am walking away really thinking on some important things. Keep the tissues close! I cried at least 3 times!

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

1 year ago
from New Jersey

Great book

I bought this book t a book fair at my school. after I had read I couldn't stop reading it it is still today one of my favorites.

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

1 year ago
from Boca Raton, Florida

A Tale of Inclusivity and Determination!

Honestly, I picked up this book thinking nothing of it-- but I was shocked once I had finished it. "Out of My Mind" by Sharon M. Draper is an inspiring story of determination, willpower, and the ability to make the most of one's life despite all circumstances. The book follows a disabled girl and her journey to make herself known and to prove that she can do anything an able-bodied student can do and better. Throughout the events of the story, Melody (the main character) became even more of a role model for me through the way she empowered herself and showed the whole world what she could do. Melody's ability to navigate life with her disability emphasizes a theme of determination and perseverance. However, I think the way the book was formatted was a little choppy and basic. Each event directly followed the other. I wish there was a little more of a backstory or events following a different character in between. On the other hand, I really enjoyed the theme of the book as well as the author's inclusivity-- it's not very often that an author writes a book with a disabled character, let alone from a disabled character's point of view. This book unleashes a completely new perspective for readers, educating more and more people on the struggles people like Melody must face. I do think it would've been awesome if the book was written by a disabled person, but either way it tells a great story. The story also includes great conflicts that were even able to invoke emotion in me, the reader. The backlash Melody faces from her peers and the way no one can understand her in the first half of the story made me upset with her. The author's ability to create realistic conflict for the character adds to the story's realistic, eye-opening plot. This also leads to the believability of the characters and their motivations, especially with Melody's goals and the way she thinks. I think it would've added to the story if I was able to know what the other characters were thinking, though. The resolution, however, made me feel satisfied and fulfilled. Melody's ability to prove herself and to gain respect from her peers perfectly concludes the events of the story and resolves the issues that she faced beforehand. Her story is empowering-- it is a story that proves that no matter what life gives you or how you are treated, it is always possible to rise up from any conflict and make the most of what you are given, which is exactly what Melody does.

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

1 year ago
from Boca Raton, Florida

A Tale of Determination and Inclusivity!

Honestly, I picked up this book thinking nothing of it-- but I was shocked once I had finished it. "Out of My Mind" by Sharon M. Draper is an inspiring story of determination, willpower, and the ability to make the most of one's life despite all circumstances. The book follows a disabled girl and her journey to make herself known and to prove that she can do anything an able-bodied student can do and better. Throughout the events of the story, Melody (the main character) became even more of a role model for me through the way she empowered herself and showed the whole world what she could do. Melody's ability to navigate life with her disability emphasizes a theme of determination and perseverance. However, I think the way the book was formatted was a little choppy and basic. Each event directly followed the other. I wish there was a little more of a backstory or events following a different character in between. On the other hand, I really enjoyed the theme of the book as well as the author's inclusivity-- it's not very often that an author writes a book with a disabled character, let alone from a disabled character's point of view. This book unleashes a completely new perspective for readers, educating more and more people on the struggles people like Melody must face. I do think it would've been awesome if the book was written by a disabled person, but either way it tells a great story. The story also includes great conflicts that were even able to invoke emotion in me, the reader. The backlash Melody faces from her peers and the way no one can understand her in the first half of the story made me upset with her. The author's ability to create realistic conflict for the character adds to the story's realistic, eye-opening plot. This also leads to the believability of the characters and their motivations, especially with Melody's goals and the way she thinks. I think it would've added to the story if I was able to know what the other characters were thinking, though. The resolution, however, made me feel satisfied and fulfilled. Melody's ability to prove herself and to gain respect from her peers perfectly concludes the events of the story and resolves the issues that she faced beforehand. Her story is empowering-- it is a story that proves that no matter what life gives you or how you are treated, it is always possible to rise up from any conflict and make the most of what you are given, which is exactly what Melody does.

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

2 years ago
from NYC

Heart-warming Story

I absolutely love this book. It is about how disabilities or differences should not stand in your way. If you enjoyed this book, you should try Out of My Heart by the same author, Sharon M. Draper.

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com

3 years ago
from GA

Wonderful book. Highly recommend

Melody is an 11 year old girl with Cerebral Palsy. No one around her sees how smart she is because all they see is her CP. She is unable to talk, write or walk but, she remembers everything she sees, hears and reads. I read this with my granddaughter, and she was very interested in learning more about how Cerebral Palsy affects people and how to be more empathetic and understanding about friends with different abilities.

Recommends this product

Customer review from barnesandnoble.com