Out of my mind by Sharon M. Draper

Hello all, this week’s post takes us into the mind of a unique young girl. She’s someone who has cerebral palsy but has a personality much bigger, and smarter mind than anyone I had ever known. If this is enough for you, then have a read of my review!!

Title: Out of my mind

Author: Sharon M. Draper

Genre: Fiction – contemporary

Publication details: Antheum Books for Young Readers; NY, 2010

ISBN: 9781416971702

What this book is about: Eleven-year-old Melody has a photographic memory. Her head is like a video camera that is always recording. Always. And there’s no delete button. She’s the smartest kid in her whole school – but NO ONE knows it. Most people – her teachers and doctors included – don’t think she’s capable of learning, and up until recently her school days consisted of listening to the same pre-school-level alphabet lessons again and again and again. If only she could speak up, if only she could tell people what she thinks and knows… but she can’t, because Melody can’t talk. She can’t walk. She can’t write. Being stuck inside her head is making Melody go out of her mind – that is, until she discovers something that will allow her to speak for the first time ever. At last Melody has a voice but not everyone around her is ready to hear it. From multiple Coretta Scott King award winner Sharon M. Draper comes a story full of heartache and hope. Get ready to meet a girl whose voice you’ll never, ever forget. 

My review: What a beautiful story this was!! Every aspect of it was so heartwarming and poignant, I felt myself crying even after I had finished it!! Melody’s voice is unique and quite funny at times too. Sharon M. Draper has done an amazing story here and given me an opportunity to see into the mind of someone with the serious condition of cerebral palsy. A truly amazing story!! 

My rating: 4 ⭐

Additional notes: This title has won the Josette Frank Award and the Buckeye Children’s Book award for Grade 6 – 8 in 2011, the New Mexico Land of Enchantment Award for Young Adults in  2013; and nominated for the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award and the Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award in 2013, plus a whole heap more.