Out of My Mind Sharon M. Draper

Introduction

Out of My Mind is a 2010 novel by Sharon M. Draper, a New York Times bestselling author[1]. The book is recommended for ages 10–14 and for grades 5–8. The story was written in first person, featuring Melody Brooks, a girl with Cerebral Palsy. The novel discusses themes of inclusion and ableism[2]. It has been widely used in classrooms for its recognition of diverse forms of intelligence and portrayal of disability[3]. The novel was adapted into a film that premiered in 2024 and is now available on Disney+[4].  

Summary

Melody Brooks is a ten-year-old girl whose parents have done everything they can to help her live a normal life. But life is often frustrating for Melody since she cannot speak or move due to a condition called Cerebral Palsy. Melody's mother enrolls her in Spaulding Street Elementary School, a school with a special education program. However, the special education class she is put in, Class H–5, is not well suited for Melody; the class teaches its students the same things every day, i.e., the alphabet. Melody is advanced beyond the material taught in her lessons, but cannot communicate in speech or writing. Her neighbor, Mrs. V, is a kind but tough woman who pushes Melody to do the best she can. When Melody turns eight, her mother becomes pregnant. Melody envies her little sister, Penny, as she grows and matures with no disability. Melody eventually gets a communication device that allows her to talk with other people. At school, her new teacher starts an inclusion program that allows disabled students to participate in the standard classes. Melody also gets a dedicated aide, Catherine, who accompanies her throughout most of her school days. Melody befriends Rose Spencer, but is bullied by two girls named Molly and Claire, who believe that her disability makes her dumber than them. Melody joins a trivia team known as the Whiz Kids, and she gets a perfect score on the practice test. She then participates in the qualifying exam to be part of the trivia competition and makes the team. On the day the group is to fly to Washington, D.C., Melody learns that her noon flight has been canceled due to snow, but that the rest of the team flew the 9:00 AM flight without her. The following day Melody insists on going to school, and as she and her mother get her ready, Melody realizes that Penny has slipped out of the house. Melody hits and kicks at her mother, trying to warn her that Penny is outside and is actually in the path of the car, but her mother fails to understand, resulting in Penny being hit and injured. Melody feels guilty for not being able to warn her mother but learns that Penny will recover. On Monday, Melody's class apologizes for their lack of consideration towards her by giving her the ninth-place trophy that they won, hoping to reconcile with her. However, Melody laughs at them, breaks the trophy, and leaves the room. The next day, she and Catherine begin work on her autobiography project for school, which begins with the first few lines of the book.

Analysis and Themes

A central theme in Out of My Mind is societal assumptions surrounding disability[5]. Scholars have pointed out that the novel emphasizes how social barriers can limit opportunities for disabled individuals, rather than the disability itself[6]. Overall, the novel highlights diversity, access, and the need for more inclusive environments for disabled individuals[7].

Awards and Achievements
  • Winner of the 2011 Bank Street College of Education Josette Frank Award[8]
  • Texas Bluebonnet Award 2011-2012 Master List[9]
  • Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Choice of 2011[10]
  • 2013 Young Hoosier Book Award (Middle Grade)[11]
  • 2011 Buckeye Children's and Teen Book Award for Grades 6–8 from Ohio[12]
  • 2011–2012 Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award for Grades 6–9[13]
  • A NCTE Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts[14]
Film

The movie adaptation of Out of My Mind premiered in January 2024. Written by Daniel Stiepleman and directed by Amber Sealey, this film is a Disney Channel original, based on the bestselling novel by Sharon M. Draper[15].

Reception

The novel received starred reviews from School Library Journal, Booklist, and Kirkus Reviews. Kirkus Reviews praised the book as "rich in detail of both the essential normalcy and the difficulties of a young person with cerebral palsy,” and "descriptions of both Melody's challenges—'Going to the bathroom at school just plain sucks'—and the insensitivities of some are unflinching and realistic”[16]. Booklist stated that Out of My Mind is "a book that defies age categorization, an easy enough read for upper-elementary students yet also a story that will enlighten and resonate with teens and adults”[17]. The Bulletin said the novel "[Will make] students think twice about their classmates, acquaintances, and siblings with special needs”[18].The Denver Post powerfully concluded their review: "if there's only one book teens and parents (and everyone else) can read this year, Out of My Mind should be it"[19]. "Out of My Mind is a powerfully eye-opening book,” claims The Horn Book, “with both an unforgettable protagonist and a rich cast of fully realized, complicated background characters”[20]. According to The Washington Post, "author Sharon Draper creates an authentic character who insists, through her lively voice and indomitable will, that the reader become fully involved with the girl in the pink wheelchair”[21]. Most of the reception has been positive, with the exception of Publishers Weekly, who criticized that there was a "lack of tension in the plot", although it was "resolved halfway through"[22].

References
  1. ^ "Sharon Draper: Biography". Sharon Draper. Archived from the original on October 4, 2015. Retrieved 16 October 2015.
  2. ^ Vasan, Preetha; Jose, Ann Mariya (2018-06-28). "Understanding Disability: A Study of Sharon M Draper's Out Of My Mind". IRA International Journal of Education and Multidisciplinary Studies. 11 (2): 43–48. doi:10.21013/jems.v11.n2.p1. ISSN 2455-2526.
  3. ^ Shuo, Yang; Mani, Manimangai (2024-05-29). "Embracing Enablement: Impairment, Community and Disability Identity in Young Adult Fiction". Theory and Practice in Language Studies. 14 (5): 1393–1402. doi:10.17507/tpls.1405.11. ISSN 2053-0692.
  4. ^ "Out of My Mind on Disney+ Sets a New Standard for Authentic Disability Representation". Geena Davis Institute. Retrieved 2026-04-19.
  5. ^ Vasan, Preetha; Jose, Ann Mariya (2018-06-28). "Understanding Disability: A Study of Sharon M Draper's Out Of My Mind". IRA International Journal of Education and Multidisciplinary Studies. 11 (2): 43–48. doi:10.21013/jems.v11.n2.p1. ISSN 2455-2526.
  6. ^ Albin, Maya (2025-04-10). "How the Movie 'Out of My Mind' Brings the F‐Words for Child Development to Life". Child: Care, Health and Development. 51 (3). doi:10.1111/cch.70080. ISSN 0305-1862. PMC 11984067. PMID 40207691. Archived from the original on 2025-05-10.
  7. ^ Vasan, Preetha; Jose, Ann Mariya (2018-06-28). "Understanding Disability: A Study of Sharon M Draper's Out Of My Mind". IRA International Journal of Education and Multidisciplinary Studies. 11 (2): 43. doi:10.21013/jems.v11.n2.p1. ISSN 2455-2526.
  8. ^ "Past Winners". Bank Street College of Education. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
  9. ^ "Texas Bluebonnet Award 2011-2012 Master List" (PDF). Texas Library Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 26, 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  10. ^ Febry, Carling; Horning, Kathleen T.; Lindgren, Merri V.; Schliesman, Megan; Elias, Tana (2011). CCBC Choices 2011 (PDF). p. 78. ISBN 978-0-931641-21-3.
  11. ^ "Past Winners: Young Hoosier Book Award" (PDF).
  12. ^ "Past Nominees & Winners". Buckeye Children's and Teen Book Award. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
  13. ^ "Past Winners". Maryland Association of School Librarians. Retrieved 2024-02-10.
  14. ^ "Sharon Draper Author Page: Out of My Mind Reviews". 2014 Sharon Draper. Archived from the original on October 27, 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  15. ^ "Out of My Mind on Disney+ Sets a New Standard for Authentic Disability Representation". Geena Davis Institute. Retrieved 2026-04-19.
  16. ^ "Kirkus Starred Review:OUT OF MY MIND". 22 December 2010. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  17. ^ Frances Bradburn. "Booklist Review: Out of My Mind". 2014 Booklist Publications. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  18. ^ "Sharon Draper Author Page: Out of My Mind Reviews". 2014 Sharon Draper. Archived from the original on October 27, 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  19. ^ Claire Martin (7 March 2010). "The Denver Post: Children's Books". 2014 The Denver Post. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  20. ^ "The Horn Book (Bookverdict): Out of My Mind". Media Source Book Verdict 2012. 1 March 2010. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  21. ^ "Sharon Draper Author Page: Out of My Mind Reviews". 2014 Sharon Draper. Archived from the original on October 27, 2013. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  22. ^ "Publishers Weekly: Out of My Mind". PWxyz, LLC. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
External links
  • Sharon Draper Author Page

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