Out of My Mind

By: Sharon M. Draper

Narrated by: Sisi Aisha Johnson

Length: 6 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's Summary

From award-winning author Sharon Draper comes Out of My Mind, the story of a brilliant girl who cannot speak or write.

Melody is not like most people. She cannot walk or talk, but she has a photographic memory; she can remember every detail of everything she has ever experienced. She is smarter than most of the adults who try to diagnose her and smarter than her classmates in her integrated classroom - the very same classmates who dismiss her as mentally challenged because she cannot tell them otherwise. But Melody refuses to be defined by cerebral palsy. And she's determined to let everyone know it...somehow.

In this breakthrough story - reminiscent of The Diving Bell and the Butterfly - from multiple Coretta Scott King Award winner Sharon Draper, listeners will come to know a brilliant mind and a brave spirit who will change forever how they look at anyone with a disability.

©2010 Sharon M. Draper (P)2010 Simon & Schuster

Critic Reviews

"If there is one book teens and parents (and everyone else) should read this year, Out of My Mind should be it." ( Denver Post)

♡

I had spent hours on this and it really spoke to me how Melody had been so incredibly brave and had been so smart and it really was showing to all the kids out there who had a disability that they can be incredibly brave, and smart, and be whatever they want to do if they try. The Author was amazing and I felt like she did a great job on the characters emotions. Overall I think that this book was more than 5 ☆s

Great book, Great narration! Book opened my eyes.

I truly have been impacted by Melody's character. Such an inspiration to us all. I will have my students read this book.

Massively Immersive

This story brings me into a new world, or “Out of Mind”... I have a disability that is Autism, so it feels good to have a story about a kid with disabilities. I liked that there were lots of other kids with different disabilities.
(KB aged 11)

brilliant

a great read and character. children with disabilities are just like other children too. give this book a chance.

I wanted to show this to my kids

I love the idea and want to hear the brilliant author's thoughts and words. I looked forward to sharing this with my 11 year old to give her some insight into the author's world. I will not be doing that, however, as the author spends the book making fun of her doctor's weight, her teacher's voice and her school's Wallas, projects and efforts. I do not think she would like someone to make fun of her for something she was born with. She should practice the same kindness for those around her.

Great perspective.

I would first recommend this book to any Special Education teacher. As one myself, I have a completely new perspective and lens to look through when working with my students.

Amazing and heart wrenching

As the mother of a nonverbal child, I listened to this book recognizing the possibilities of what exist within my own child. So grateful to Melody for sharing her voice. I pray that this book has given me the additional motivation needed to explore every opportunity for Eli so that he can share his words with me and the world.

Review from Habs, age 9

This was such a good story, even though the other kids did not treat Melody always nicely. But Melody was the smartest!! We listened to the book and the actress who read it was so great.

Awesome

It a great book,melody has a struggle in life but she finds way to tell people what she is thinking. She is also really smart but people don't think she is and she finds away it tell people.

It was amazing

My absolute favorite part was when melody called them out for leaving her the I bet the silence was LOUD 😌💅 melody is a truly amazing girl and if I could give her my voice I would even if it was just for a day

A really good story

It is a good story that makes me understand Melody and her disabilities and it could help others who read it, also get more of a view of how people feel with their own disabilities.

sooooooooo good

easily heard
well read
a beautifully written
I'm obsessed
great book
would recommend
so good