Reviews with content warning for Ableism - Out of My Mind

2019 review: It was a cute little read. Although, I don't really know any 10 year old that "talks" like Melody does. Even really smart ones.

2023 "review:" the only notes i wrote were "fuck rose fr. and claire and molly. AND THE WHOLE WHIZ KIDS TEAM." so... yeah. idc that they're kids they shall have no mercy (/hj).

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starsnstitchin's review

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funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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ekmoore11's review

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emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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aceofsphades_reads's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Amazing, super enjoyable. I reread it often and it’s still one of my favorite books ever.

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nautilus18's review

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emotional funny inspiring reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Really nice read about a nonspeaking fifth grader with CP and synesthesia who gets an electronic AAC device and then everyone at school starts to realize how smart she really is. Would be great for any kiddo learning about disability or difference. Content notes: ableism, R word, car accident

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theseasoul's review

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challenging funny informative reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

|| 4 stars ||

For a middle grade book, this one was incredibly deep and eye-opening.

Melody, a girl diagnosed with cerebral palsy, is very physically limited. She can’t talk or walk, but she has a brilliant mind which few people have made an effort to discover. This book follows her complex inner world, and her struggle to communicate with the outside world. There are many rich lessons to be learned as she struggles to find a voice for herself that others will understand. And even after a life-changing communication device enters her life, as she continues to be misunderstood on many different levels. I found myself in her shoes frequently as I read, feeling the frustrations, joys, and disappointments with her.

I don’t tend to enjoy the school drama in books, and the second half of the book had a lot of that. But it was still drama that usually made sense given the context, so I can mostly forgive it.

If you have a desire to understand people who communicate differently, this is a simple yet excellent book for any age group to take the time to read.

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flowerpower's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring relaxing sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Cried several times but they were incredibly cathartic moments. Melody is hilarious and the people in her life that love her are incredible. It was such a pleasure to read about part of her middle school journey and how much she grew within that year or so.

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