Michelle M. MattysBook Review

The book I chose to read was Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper. It is a fiction book

based on the experiences of an eleven year old girl named Melody who was born with cerebral

palsy, a condition that affects your body, but not your mind. Melody couldn't walk, talk, feed

herself, or use the restroom on her own. She was completely dependent on her parents,

neighbors, or aides to assist her with all her basic needs in life. In her first few years of life, some

of her doctors told her parents that she wasn't able to understand much, if anything. Her parents

and her neighbor, Mrs. V, knew differently. Instinctually, they knew Melody understood much

more than she could actually communicate with words. They would teach her new words and

communicate with her as a normal child. Melody understood and remembered every word that

was ever spoken to her. She actually had a photographic memory. She had always wished she

could express her words and her thoughts, especially to her parents. Melody had an array of

teachers and aides over the years. Most of her communication was done through a basic

communication board attached to her wheelchair where she could point to basic words or

phrases. Even her parents weren’t aware of how much she truly learned or understood in her

world. Finally, during her time in 5th grade, Melody saw a TV commercial that was marketing a

device called a Medi-Talker. It was a special device that could speak for you. She insisted with

movements and sounds that her aide, Catherine, write down the number for her parents.

Melody’s life changed dramatically after the device arrived. For the first time in her life, her

thoughts finally had a voice. Melody experienced many exciting opportunities, family events,

tragedies, and disappointments in the book. Most importantly, she learns that she is a survivor!

I feel that the author, Susan M. Draper, chose an appropriate title for the book. Out of My

Mind is catchy plus it appropriately describes how anyone, especially a young girl, would feel if

they were trapped in their own body without any means of communicating with the world around

Michelle M. MattysBook Review

them. As I read the book, I actually visualized how I would feel if I couldn’t communicate my

true feelings to my friends and family. I know I would feel like I was going crazy or “out of my

mind” if I couldn’t communicate with anyone, especially my friends and family members.

During a point in the book, Melody makes a connection between her pet fish being trapped in his

fish bowl to herself being trapped in her own body. The picture of a fish in a bowl is a great

analogy for the theme of the book.

This book came highly recommended by a few of my co-workers. I was excited to finally

have a chance to read it and reflect on my reading. As a paraprofessional, I work in a multitude

of classrooms and environments during my day which lends me the opportunity to work with a

variety of students with varying backgrounds and/or disabilities. I also have the opportunity to

work with a variety of other professionals on a daily basis. During a regular day, I teach small

groups in a learning support classroom, parallel teach in an inclusion classroom, assist students

from the Life Skills room, and give sensory breaks, as needed. I felt that the author correctly

portrayed all of these areas in a modern school environment. She used a variety of characters in

her book to honestly portray how there can be a varying difference in understanding, awareness,

and compassion amongst students, aides, and teachers in such learning environments. I have

been a witness to these varying levels of understanding, awareness, and compassion in real-life

classrooms. One difference I found in my own experience is that most of the regular education

students have been very accepting, helpful, and understanding of our students with disabilities.

Some of the students who have their own disabilities are not always able or willing to be as

understanding of others with a disability. I find that very interesting. They want to be accepted,

but have trouble accepting others.

Michelle M. MattysBook Review

Through a biography review, I read that Susan M. Draper has a daughter named Wendy

who has cerebral palsy. Susan has spent many hours in her life trying to unlock her own

daughter’s mind. I felt she did a great job illustrating Melody’s character and disability without

making readers pity her. Her character inspired me in many ways as an educator and a human

being.

I read the book prior to watching our week one videos so at first I thought it was a little

far-fetched that it would take 11 years for Melody to start communicating at such a level with her

own parents. After watching the third video describing Carly’s experience, I changed my

thoughts and understood that each child can take different time-frames to come out of their own

body.

I think that this book was extremely valuable in giving honest insight into the humorous,

brilliant, and sensitive mind of an individual with severe physical disabilities. I would

recommend this book to parents of children with a disability, teachers, paraprofessionals, and

students to create awareness and understanding. Sharon M. Draper used a narrative-style of

writing to help her readers understand many aspects of living with a disability like cerebral palsy.

The plot included more than one problem which kept my attention at all times. There were many

ups and downs in the book with a final lesson on survival. The book contained quite a few main

characters which were well-developed. As a parent, teacher, and para I related on a personal

level with many of the characters in the book. On a scale of 1-10, I would rate this book a 9.

Publication Date: March 9, 2010

Genre: Fiction

Hardcover: 304 pages