Out of My Mind
Ratings64
Average rating4.1
I just reread this in preparation for reading Out of My Heart which was gifted to me. It was still great. Melody's can do spirit is wonderful. I still loved how she got “Elvira” and found her voice. I didn't remember Mrs V but I loved her so much a great cheerleader for Melody. I did however remember that she had two girl bullies and was rightfully upset with them. I'd forgotten the outcome of the Quiz Team I just remembered her being disappointed by them but not the details.
Really nice read about a nonspeaking fifth grader with CP and synesthesia who gets an electronic AAC device and then everyone at school starts to realize how smart she really is. Would be great for any kiddo learning about disability or difference. Content notes: ableism, R word, car accident
I had never heard of this book before until I read a chapter to the kids I was subbing for. I immediately wanted to go back to the beginning and read the whole thing.
Melody never gives up and always keeps on trying no matter how hard her life is. The book made me laugh; it made me cry. My heart was breaking for her at the ending but she was a much better person inside than 100% healthy people are.
I gave it 5 stars and it really deserves that rating. My only critique is we were not given a final scene between Melody and her mother and I think that gives the book a big disservice considering the last time we see them together.
Even if this isn't your normal type of book, even if you are an adult and don't usually read middle grade books, read this one!
Kids and teachers KEPT telling me that they loved this book and I HAD to read it, and I've been kind of hesitant for awhile because the description sounded a little bit “inspirational disability tragedy porn” to me, but I finally checked it out and it is more than that.
I also wonder how well the technology here will hold up–it's such a big moment when Melody finally gets her Medi-Speak board, and all the kids are very impressed with it, but now text-to-speech is so common (I know there are still specialized products for disabled people but the general concept probably would not be so mind-blowing now as it is to Melody's classmates). BUT that's a pretty minor point. I like that the friendship making doesn't seem as cut-and-dried as, cough, Wonder. It does end on kind of a shitty note for Melody...which is maybe more realistic, but also kind of rough? But, you know, 6th grade is another year.
ALSO extra points to this for being a book about quiz bowl, which is obviously the best of all extracurricular activities ;)
An excellent book. It tackles a really difficult topic–a few really difficult topics, actually. I bought 6 copies with the intention of running a small group in LA class with my fourth graders. I'm so glad I did and I hope they enjoy it as much as I did.
This book had all my fellow school librarians talking a few years back when it was one of the Bluebonnet nominees. I ran across a copy a couple of months ago and was motivated by the appearance of the Medicine Chest Bookbox to finally read it.
Melody can't walk. She can't talk. She can't feed herself or go to the bathroom by herself. But she has a photographic memory and remembers everything she's ever seen. If only she could share with others....
And then she learns about a new computer that can speak for her. It changes her life.
What a great story. It reminds me a lot of another recent children's story that I loved, Wonder. A story that can build empathy, I think.
I couldn't put this book down. I had to finish it today. What an inspirational and truly touching story and, most of all, character. Ms. Melody will be with me forever.