Out of My Mind Audible – Unabridged

Out of My Mind Audible – Unabridged ridged
Author: Sharon M. Draper ID: B003IX37LA

From Coretta Scott King Award winner and ALA Best Book honoree Sharon M. Draper comes Out of My Mind, a compelling tale of heartache and hope. Eleven-year-old Melody has a photographic memory that makes her the brightest kid in her school. Unfortunately, her teachers and doctors don’t believe she can even learn. Unable to talk, walk, or write, she longs to tell what she thinks and knows. Trapped inside her own mind, she finally discovers how to “speak.” And yet some may not be ready to hear her voice.
Done.
Audible Audio EditionListening Length: 6 hours and 49 minutesProgram Type: AudiobookVersion: UnabridgedPublisher: Recorded BooksAudible.com Release Date: April 23, 2010Whispersync for Voice: ReadyLanguage: EnglishID: B003IX37LA Best Sellers Rank: #196 in Books > Audible Audiobooks > Children’s Books > Fiction
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 other kids’ interactions with her impressed me. Without fail, they were sweet, helpful, friendly, and even conversational. Chloe will nod in response, but does not speak, and does not make a lot of eye contact. Yet these kids spoke and interacted with her as if nothing was different about her. One of the little girls asked me if I was Chloe’s daddy. I told her I was. She said, "Chloe and I are best friends!" I’m telling you I almost lost it there; I had to exercise lots of self-restraint not to cry in front of her. I loved seeing Chloe, who is content to play alone in her room for hours on end, in this setting, with such great support from her peers.

Then I went to help set up for Elliot’s 6th grade party and was intercepted by one of his teachers. Almost breathlessly, she said, "I read a book you have to read. It’s called Out of My Mind, and I thought of Chloe the whole time I was reading it!" She had told Elliot the same thing, so he read it and told Kelly about it so she read it, and since they liked it so much, I picked it up yesterday. I hardly put it down and finished it in a day.
Melody is trapped in her own body. Born with cerebral palsey, she is unable to perform most of the basic physical functions that the rest of us take for granted. But her mind is completely normal – actually, it’s significantly above normal. However, almost no one realizes that she has any intellectual capabilities. She attends school as part of the special education program, being partially integrated into the regular classroom, where kids are outright mean or awkwardly nice. When she gets a device that enables her to "speak" for the first time in her 11 years, people are shocked that she is like anyone else. And not ready to accept it.

Melody is a delightful, observant girl. Her physical challenges and pure intellect enhance her other senses – she sees, smells, and hears things that the rest of us don’t notice. She also has a real gift for reading people, enhanced unfortunately by people’s negative interactions with her. She finds enjoyment in life but also is, understandably, incredibly frustrated. I can almost physically feel Melody’s frustration, her "tornadoes", with her. The difficulties of not being able to express yourself are unimaginable.

I think every child should read this book. Preferably with a parent or teacher to discuss as the book goes along. Draper does not sugarcoat Melody’s life. She is blessed with parents, a neighbor, and some teachers who love her dearly, understand her, and fight for her. Her mother is a true hero. But she also experiences hate and ignorance that no child should have to go through – from other kids, from doctors, and from teachers. The story is often heartbreaking as Melody is let down repeatedly. But her innate sense of self and her loving family also keeps her strong.
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