Out of My Mind

Out of My Mind

by Sharon M. Draper

Genre: Juvenile Fiction

Synopsis: 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 he 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.

Review:  I can't imagine not being able to share your thoughts with others and having others think that you are not capable of intelligence.  My heart just ached for Melody at the beginning of the book when we hear her thoughts and frustrations with not being able to communicate.  My heart broke when students, and staff for that matter!, were so insensitive to her and said such hurtful things about her.  My heart was torn to pieces by the hurt Melody feels at the end.  This book could be very eye opening for young people to not judge people by what they look like and to treat everyone kindly.  I think this book has such a positive message for kids.

Rating: 4 stars