It would be difficult not to like Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper. Draper does what most good literary authors do—that is, she sucks you into a life that is not your own and allows you to see your world from a unique perspective. What the author does that is unique and noteworthy is put you into the body of Melody, an eleven-year-old girl born with Cerebral Palsy. In addition to Melody’s lack of control over her limbs, she cannot speak. What ups the ante in this story is that in addition to being an object of pity or disdain, depending on your nature, Melody is a girl of great mental acuity, a gift that no one discovers until she is nearly eleven years old. Even after it is discovered, many resent her gift rather than celebrate it. This conflict certainly is the makings for a good read.
What kept me turning pages was Melody’s voice. From the first sentence of chapter 1 you begin to love her. She begins by saying, “Words. I’m surrounded by thousands. Maybe millions. . . Words have always swirled around me like snowflakes; each one delicate and different; each one melting untouched in my hands.” For a girl who can’t speak, she is a master of words.
As Melody tells you her story you will grow to love her. You will want what she wants, love who she loves, and be hurt by those who hurt her. You will live in a body over which you have little control and understand your dependence on others. You will feel the extreme frustration of being as smart or smarter than those around you while they treat you as an infant. As most reviewers point out, Out of My Mind is one powerful exercise for developing empathy. It is also just a really good read whether you are looking for empathy or not.
Spoiler Alert
The story does leave me with questions. Melody is surrounded by average human beings just like you and me. These are human beings who cannot comprehend Melody’s intelligence or the difficulties she lives with. Some are unapologetically ignorant and mean. Many are nice but make very little effort to listen to Melody. One makes a sincere effort to make room for Melody but ends up failing due to her inability to integrate Melody’s slow moving, slow talking albeit brilliant world into her natural fast-moving fast-talking world.
In the end, when Melody repudiates the team for what they did, I am with her all the way. Like most readers I’m thinking, “You go, girl!” As she wheels out of the room it’s a personal triumph for her. Since we are identifying with her, it is our triumph, too.
Ironically, I realize the disgust I feel for the team is disgust I feel for myself. The other kids and the teacher represent me. I certainly have no friends like Melody in my life. I’m old enough to know that just because I read this book and gained a little understanding about a person like Melody, I haven’t become a dramatically different person. This isn’t because I’m small minded and mean; it’s because I haven’t had the opportunity to learn how to be friends with someone like Melody. Because these kids hurt Melody I want to judge them and wag my finger in their face. The truth is it would take a lot of time to learn how to adapt to be friends with Melody. Anyone who takes that time would be rewarded with a bright, unique friend who would enrich her life. These kids have a lot to learn, like we, the readers. The book helps grow empathy for someone like Melody but has little for those who would try to understand how to make Melody a part of their lives.
I enjoyed every moment reading Out of My Mind. Melody is charming. Her story is rich and engaging. I do gain insightful understanding of what it’s like to live like Melody. The ending is strong and positive for Melody, and I, like everyone else, cheer. It’s just that, in my second thoughts, I wonder about my haste to disdain the other kids. We are all in need of empathy, just for different reasons.
__________________________________________________________________________________
These books by Tory Anderson are now available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback format:
