Chapter Book: Realistic Fiction
Draper, S. (2010). Out of my mind. Antheneum Books for Young Readers.
Awards:
- New York Times Bestseller
- Bank Street College of Education Josette Frank Award (2011)
- Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book of 2010
- San Francisco Chronicle Best Book of the Year
- Parent's Choice Silver Honor Book
- Essence Magazine Book of the Year
- CCBC Choice of 2011
- IRA Techers' Choices
- IRA Young Adults' Choices
The book Out of My Mind is a great book about a young girl named Melody. Melody is a unique girl as she can't walk nor talk, however she has a photographic memory. Additionally, she is diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Sharon Draper does an awesome job at taking a look at the "inside story" of bright individuals that are often shaded by their disabilities.
Melody, in Out of My Mind, is an extremely smart girl, perhaps the smartest in the school, however no one knows because she can't talk. Melody fights her disease everyday as she struggles to communicate with the ones she loves. In school, due to her lack of communication, her teachers and peers assume she is dumb, which irritates Melody even more. When a "Wiz Kid" competition takes place in her school, Melody believes this is her time to shine, to show everyone that she is smart! While it takes some convincing, eventually, her peers and teachers start to believe that even though Melody isn't like the other kids on the outside, she is still very smart on the inside. Unfortunately, not everyone, including the kids on Melody's Wiz Kid team, are convinced.
I love this book! I think this is a great book to expose students to, especially with the increase in inclusion classrooms. I think the best way to fully experience this book would be through a literature circle or whole class discussion. In the discussion, I would ask both questions that ask about good reading strategies as well as those who help the students evaluate Melody's situation and understand where she is coming from. Some questions I might include would be:
Melody, in Out of My Mind, is an extremely smart girl, perhaps the smartest in the school, however no one knows because she can't talk. Melody fights her disease everyday as she struggles to communicate with the ones she loves. In school, due to her lack of communication, her teachers and peers assume she is dumb, which irritates Melody even more. When a "Wiz Kid" competition takes place in her school, Melody believes this is her time to shine, to show everyone that she is smart! While it takes some convincing, eventually, her peers and teachers start to believe that even though Melody isn't like the other kids on the outside, she is still very smart on the inside. Unfortunately, not everyone, including the kids on Melody's Wiz Kid team, are convinced.
I love this book! I think this is a great book to expose students to, especially with the increase in inclusion classrooms. I think the best way to fully experience this book would be through a literature circle or whole class discussion. In the discussion, I would ask both questions that ask about good reading strategies as well as those who help the students evaluate Melody's situation and understand where she is coming from. Some questions I might include would be:
The novel opens with a description of the power of words and language. How does this help capture the reader's attention?
What is ironic about the events at the restaurant after the competition? How does this scene foreshadow the events that lead up to the airport fiasco?
In a word that does not work for her, what seem to be Melody's biggest frustrations?
How does the inclusion program change Melody's school experience? What are the positives and negatives of the program?
I think a lot of stereotyping, discomfort, and even ignorance comes from people not knowing about someone/something else. I really enjoy this book because Sharon Draper breaks down the concept of a student with a communication disability to something children can begin to understand and relate to. When people, including children, begin to learn about people and things that are different from them, the stereotyping, discomfort, and ignorance seems to have a lesser effect and start to disappear.
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