Eleven year old Melody Brooks was born with Cerebral Palsy. Confined to a wheelchair and unable to walk, talk or feed herself, Melody longs to communicate and be just like a “normal” kid. Thousands – maybe millions – of words swirl inside her head. Trapped. With her fierce determination and encouraged by her family, Melody discovers something that allows her voice to be heard and shows the naysayers – teachers, classmates even doctors – how smart she truly is. And that sometimes being “normal” isn’t better, especially when it looks and sounds ugly. For every reader who has ever been misunderstood, this one’s for you. A great read aloud for parent and child!

Award-winning Author Sharon M. Draper offers additional discussion on Out of My Mind (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2010) at her website with thought-provoking questions and activities for readers. Be sure to check it out at www.sharondraper.com