In Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper, eleven-year old Melody has a photographic memory and is the smartest kid in her school but no knows it. Melody has cerebral palsy and cannot walk or talk. Stuck in preschool-level classes her whole life and unable to share her thoughts with anyone, her life has become an exercise in frustration. Yet, Melody refuses to be defined by her disability and, when she receives a keyboard that allows her to communicate for the first time, her life and those of everyone around her changes.
Young people, like many adults, are often uncomfortable and uncertain how to act when meeting people with disabilities. Out of My Mind is an excellent novel to help tween/teen readers ages 10 and up understand that people with disabilities are just like them, with thoughts and feelings; hopes and dreams.
Draper, a multiple Coretta Scott King Award winner and the mother of a child with developmental difficulties, was inspired to write Out of My Mind for "all the parents of disabled kids who struggle, to all those children who are misunderstood, to all those caregivers who help every step of the way. It's also written for people who look away, who pretend they don't see, or who don't know what to say when they encounter someone who faces life with obvious differences. Just smile and say hello!"
For a wonderful and, at times, emotionally-charged story of a young girl with an indomitable spirit that is sure to challenge many of the stereotypes and biases held about people with disabilities, A Mighty Girl highly recommends Out of My Mind.
Further reading recommendations:
- Books on people with disabilities
- Books on teasing / bullying
- Books on tolerance
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