Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper

Eleven-year-old Melody has a photographic memory. Her head is like a video camera that is always recording. Always. And there's no delete button. She's the smartest kid in her whole school—but no one knows it. Most people--her teachers and doctors included--don't think she's capable of learning, and up until recently her school days consisted of listening to the same preschool-level alphabet lessons again and again and again. If only she could speak up, if only she could tell people what she thinks and knows . . . but she can't, because Melody can't talk. She can't walk. She can't write.

Being stuck inside her head is making Melody go out of her mind--that is, until she discovers something that will allow her to speak for the first time ever. At last Melody has a voice . . . but not everyone around her is ready to hear it.

This book was suggested to me by one of our librarians. I wasn't sure if it would be something I would like, but so far she hasn't steered me wrong in her suggestions. Once again, it was a great suggestion. This book grabs your heart from the start. I think that everyone should take the time to read this. If you have kids in school from 4th grade up it is a must read for them and for you as well. I think this would be a great book to sit and read together and discuss it.

It centers around a young 11 yr old girl name Melody who has a disability. She has cerebal palsy and in essence is stuck inside her head. This book deals with how a child with disabilities feels, how others treat her makes her feel. It shows you that just because a child has a disability doesn't mean they are unintelligent or "retarded" . 


The book makes you sit back and look at how you treat others who aren't deemed "normal" by society. No matter what level their disability is, it makes you stop and re-evaluate yourself and others around you. 


Very thought provoking and I believe this would be a great read for any book club out there. I have put this book on my need to read list for everyone I know.


Go grab your copy today!