While, on face, the plot to Sharon Draper’s novel Out of My Mind–which follows eleven-year-old Melody on her journey through fifth grade, seems shockingly boring–the story will engage reader’s through its unique twist: Melody has Cerebral Palsy. A condition that affects almost all of her day-to-day actions, Cerebral Palsy prevents Melody from being able to speak, write, or move on her own.
Melody is diagnosed as retarded from a young age, and declared a lost case by most doctors. Her mother, however, sees the genius behind her eyes and believes in Melody enough to enroll her into elementary school. Indeed, Melody is anything but stupid -she picks up on knowledge easily, and doesn’t seem to be able to forget anything she’s ever learned. She feels as if she is going ‘out of her mind,’ unable to articulate all that she knows.
Finally given a break from the bleakness of her Special Education class, Melody is allowed to enter the “regular” classroom for her fifth grade year. Once there, Melody immediately makes it her mission to show everyone what she is capable of, despite the hardships life throws her way.
Eye-opening and strangely relatable, Out of My Mind presents a realistic look at the effects mental disability has on social norms and the pain stigma brings. Draper creates a story perfect for older children–a story that inspires them to be more open-minded, perceptive, and accepting. Melody’s spirit is sure to inspire anyone and change the way they look at people who are handicapable forever.
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