Review: Draper, S. M. (2012). Out of my mind.
Draper, S. M. (2012). Out of my mind. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Our well-loved copy of Out of My Mind finally came to me after making the rounds through our house and the hands of my children over the past several years; I selected this novel to read from required author Sharon Draper. Similar to Stuck in Neutral by Terry Trueman, but more suitable to elementary school, it relates the inner thoughts of a bright and witty narrator who has cerebral palsy and struggles to communicate with the world. At nearly eleven years old, Melody Brooks has never been able to speak a single word, though words surround and “pile up” (1) within her, along with her deepest thoughts and emotions, all of which she is unable to express.
Our well-loved copy of Out of My Mind finally came to me after making the rounds through our house and the hands of my children over the past several years; I selected this novel to read from required author Sharon Draper. Similar to Stuck in Neutral by Terry Trueman, but more suitable to elementary school, it relates the inner thoughts of a bright and witty narrator who has cerebral palsy and struggles to communicate with the world. At nearly eleven years old, Melody Brooks has never been able to speak a single word, though words surround and “pile up” (1) within her, along with her deepest thoughts and emotions, all of which she is unable to express.
From the outset we understand that Melody is highly intelligent, possesses an eidetic memory, and has the sensory trait known as synesthesia. While this type of giftedness is in no way necessary to suggest that a person with disabilities has value, it accomplishes two purposes: allowing the reader to understand how deeply hurtful other people’s flippant comments and actions can be to the protagonist, and allowing us to more fully contemplate the situation of being almost completely without physical control or speech, while still retaining a very active and conscious mind.
The overt lesson for young readers is that kindness to everyone is always a virtue, because you never know how deeply your words and attitudes may cut. Unfortunately, we do not get to see the other children interacting with any of Melody’s classmates in her so-called “learning community,” (29) characters who have cognitive disabilities. We do get to see how the teachers and aides can have positive or negative impacts on them, however, and that Melody, for the most part, meets her classmates where they are, focusing on their best qualities; even more so by the conclusion.
Out of My Mind encourages the reader to imagine a perspective other than her own, a world in which, even as a child, everyone and everything may seem to work against someone: teachers, doctors, other children, even the person’s own physical body. I would be an iota happier if, like Wonder by R.J. Palacio, it could show that everyone is fighting their own personal battles, rather than portraying the “regular” (28) students as ultimately falling short: “All of them…” (291). It should serve, though, to promote empathy and introspection, as well as a platform for discussion on disabilities, inclusiveness, and human kindness.
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