Out of My Mind

No one wants to be different, especially children on the brink of adolescence. Learning to be accepting of people for who they are and not judging someone by appearance alone is not something everyone does readily.  Unfortunately, tweens and teens seem to have the most difficult time accepting those who are different.  Sharon M. Draper's story Out of My Mind is Melody's story, in her own words.  Although, she has never spoken at all.

Melody has "spastic bilateral quadriplegia, also known as cerebral palsy.  It limits my body, but not my mind."  Trapped within her own mind we follow Melody as she navigates through the fifth grade.  For the first time in all of her school years, Melody has a teacher who believes in inclusion, rather than just playing nursery rhymes and reviewing letters.  For Melody this is an incredible opportunity because hidden inside a body that cannot move on its own, is a brain busting with knowledge.

Life changes drastically for Melody with the inclusion program.  First, she is given an aide, Catherine.  With Catherine's help her inclusion expands from just Music to Language Arts and Science.  A bigger change occurs when she receives her Medi-Talker, a device that allows her to speak pre-programmed words and phrases with the touch of a finger.  For the first time, Melody is able to speak her mind using much more than just "yes" or "no".    This new device makes it possible for Melody to participate in class.  Teachers and students are realizing that there is much more to Melody.  This becomes very evident when she is the first student in the history of Mr. Dimming's coaching the Whiz Kids competition to receive a perfect score on the preliminary test earning her a place on the school's team.

As a parent, this book made my heart break and rejoice.  I wanted so badly to rescue Melody from the painful incidents and celebrate her victories.  As a teacher, I realized that sometimes, like a few of the people in the novel, I have not served the needs of my students as well as I could or should have.  As a teacher it is my job to protect and enrich the minds of my students, regardless of their current abilities or potential.  This story is a good reminder that ALL students have potential, sometimes they just can't show you without assistance.

 Draper has written a beautiful story of a girl who just wants to be normal.  This is a story and a character I won't forget.