By Sharon Draper
4Rbooks: 5/6 grades 5-8
Amazon: 4.6/5 grades level 5-6
Goodreads: 4.17/5
Common Sense Media: 4/5 ages 10+
304 pages
Synopsis
Melody is a hero. She doesn’t think so, but apparently everyone else does. She saw her elderly neighbor fall and called 911 to get her help. What makes that noteworthy is that Melody has cerebral palsy and is non-verbal, except for her computer which can speak for her (think Stephen Hawking). She was able to navigate through her difficulties to get help for Miss Gerties, her neighbor, and now, the local TV station wants to send her to a conference in London, England (The International Society of Innovation, Discovery, Energy, and Application, IDEA) to meet with other special children from around the globe.
Soon Melody finds herself on an airplane with her neighbor, Mrs. V (someone who has helped to take of Melody since she was born), Miss Gertie (who used to be a famous actress in London), and Sky (Miss Gertie’s niece and Melody’s new best friend). Everything has been paid for by the TV station and they have a wonderful hotel room, and time before the conference to explore London. Melody is fascinated by the differences, the history, and the unique charm of such an old and, to her, fancy city. There are a few problems along the way, but nothing will stop this trip from being a success.
The conference starts and Melody is surrounded by children from many different countries, all unique and special, many overcoming challenges such as hers. It’s the first time she doesn’t feel odd or out of place. She becomes part of a group creating new ideas for helping people and will be given an opportunity to present her idea on the final day of the conference.
Parental Guidelines
Melody sees an elderly woman fall and is very upset by the scene. The woman is taken to the hospital.
Minor discussions of kissing, flirting, and boys the girls think are cute.
Champagned is served on the plane but no one in Melody’s party drinks any.
Miss Gertie lost her husband years before and had become a recluse.
Melody is upset when the concert venue isn’t wheel chair accessible and more upset because her friends won’t go without her.
Recommendation
This is the third book in a 3-part series. Readers were first introduced to Melody Brooks in 2010 with the book Out of My Mind, one of the best children’s books I have ever read. (I read this before I started my blog) As I said in my review of the second book, Out of My Heart, this book could stand alone, but it would be better to read the other two books first. They go into more depth about Melody’s condition and her relationships which will help understand much of what happens in the third book. Bits and pieces of the first and second book are also referred to in Out of My dreams so background knowledge would be an asset.
As I did with the second book, I would also recommend looking up an article by Bill Plaschke of the Los Angeles Times entitled “Her Blue Haven.” I’m hate to admit that, like many people, when I had looked at someone with cerebral palsy my gut reaction was that their brain probably worked as well as their body. This article showed me how completely wrong I was and thus made the Out of My Mind series more understandable and believable.
Out of My Mind has become a popular book for teacher read alouds, especially in classes or schools with full inclusion of students with special needs. Out of My Heart and Out of My Dreams are worthy sequels. Book one was more melancholy in tone, and had a realistic, but not overly satisfying conclusion. Book 2 is a happier story and finishes on a positive note. Book 3 has one hard moment but it is quickly followed by a happy ending making it a fun finale for the series, though the end wasn’t as developed as the beginning and middle sections. The first 240 pages or so are the set-up to the trip and then all the adventures in London. Only the last 60 pages dealt with the conference Melody was sent too and what was accomplished.
There are many positive characters throughout the story, most of all Melody, of course, but her family, her neighbors, and her new friends are all accommodating and kind, treating her the way they would any other 7th grader. As I said in the last review, this is a great book for a full inclusion class, or for children with special needs siblings. It is an easy reader for the most part, but it might take a patient and sensitive child to really comprehend everything that Melody is going through. The story points out the difficulties Melody faces in everyday life and how that affects those around her. This would be great as a group read, or an “into, through, and beyond” read as there are many areas for extended study.
Though I wish there was more, her final speech to the conference is worth the wait and should easily lead to classroom and family discussions.
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