Out of My Mind

But Melody refuses to be defined by cerebral palsy. 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.. She cannot walk or talk, but she has a photographic memory; she can remember every detail of everything she has ever experienced. Melody is not like most people. From award-winning author Sharon Draper comes Out of My Mind, the story of a brilliant girl who cannot speak or write. And she's determined to let everyone know itsomehow. 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

Insightful Great book, it was a little sad at times, but and enjoyable read nonetheless. It gave a heartbreaking look into the life of a disabled child and her parents. Very sobering and yet I couldn't stop reading. I initially ordered this book for my 12 year old, who was not such a strong comprehensive reader. However not after long we were both enchanted with the book. I would probably buy more books from this author.. "A view from someone like Melody" according to Rochelle Garwood. I'm writing this review after consulting with my 11-year-old daughter Laurel, who has severe cerebral palsy and can't walk, talk, or do activities of daily living for herself. In other words, she's a lot like Melody, the protagonist of this book. In Laurel's case, she communicates by using eye gaze to indicate yes/no or one of two choices (Laurel very badly wants a communication system similar to Melody's that would work with eye gaze, and we're looking into it now). We read this book together (like Melody, although Laurel can read, her eyes jump around and it's hard for her to follo. "Helped me see my daughter with new eyes" according to Paul Mastin. A few weeks ago, Kelly wasn't feeling well so I took off work to fill in for her at the kids' Valentine's Day parties at school. First I went to Chloe's second grade class. Chloe is non-verbal and has some physical limitations and development delays due to an unidentified genetic disorder. Prior to this year, she has been in special ed classes, with part of her day spent in regular ed classes. Now she is in a regular ed class all day with a full-time assistant and is the only child in her class with special needs.As I sat and watched her interact with the other kids at her table, the