Module 7- SLIS 5420

Out of My Mind
By Sharon Draper

Draper, S. (2010). Out of my mind. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Summary

Melody is tired of not being able to say what she wants to say, when she wants to say it. It has always been this way-she has cerebral palsy and cannot walk or speak. Though the world sees her as dumb, she has extraordinary thoughts and dreams and is extremely intelligent. When she finally discovers a way to make her “voice” heard through a machine, she is thrilled to finally get her thoughts out. But she soon discovers that others still view her as incapable and stupid, even after she proves her smarts by winning a spot on the quiz team. This is a heart-wrenching story about perseverance and strength, as well as a look at how we view and treat others who are different from us.

Impressions

I am so in love with this book! This made me laugh and cry, sometimes in the same paragraph. This book is a real look into how we feel about others who have disabilities and how we sometimes assume things about them without knowing the facts. I had never thought about the fact that someone from one of our special ed classes (who is in the same situation as Melody) might just be a genius. Just because we can’t hear the thoughts inside their heads doesn’t mean there aren’t any there, and that is a lesson we all need to learn. This book was a huge hit with my fourth grade students, as well as the teachers on my campus. It won by a landslide vote for best Bluebonnet and best Tumbleweed for this year. I am so thankful I chose this book to read.

Reviews

This title is a wonderful way to remind students that everybody is different, but they can excel in various ways. It would be a reassuring choice for a child who has a special needs family member. Students who are generally interested in those who are different would enjoy it too.

Green, B. (2010). Out of my mind. Library Media Connection, 28(6), 73.

Kids will benefit from being introduced to Melody and her gutsy, candid, and compelling story. It speaks volumes and reveals the quiet strength and fortitude it takes to overcome disabilities and the misconceptions that go with them.

Follos, A. (2010). Out of my mind. School Library Journal, 56(3), 156.

Suggestions for Use

This book would be an excellent choice for creating a discussion about perceptions and misconceptions about others based on outward appearances. It’s human nature to see someone on the outside and make judgments, while never really looking into who the person is on the inside. Discuss some common disabilities, perhaps of students that attend our school, and have students give honest responses to how they feel about these students when interacting with them. Reinforce that it’s okay to feel any way they do about our special needs friends, but that we also need to realize that most times we have not invested the proper time in getting to know them. Brainstorm ways to try to do this and the benefits we could reap from doing so.