A review by katrod
Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring 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? No

5.0

Such a great read told from the perspective of an 11 year old girl with cerebral palsy.  I’ve never read anything like it and it was so moving.  As an able bodied person, it’s really easy to forget all the ways society casts aside, judges, and babies disabled people who may be just as or even more able than others.  

Melody is one of the smartest, if not the smartest kids in her grade, and yet, since she doesn’t have fine motor skills and can’t control her body, everyone around her assumes she can’t control her mind either. 

I wish I had read this in middle school and I think it would be great to have in classrooms everywhere.  So powerful, so inspiring, and a great reminder so never judge a book by its cover.