“Out of My Mind” is a New York Times bestselling novel about Melody Brooks, who is a young girl who suffers from cerebral palsy.
Although Melody struggles with most everyday routines and activities, she never gives up and pushes to be the best version of herself. Despite her challenges, she has photographic memory but cannot speak or write properly. The story follows her struggle to be understood by those who don’t fully know her situation. Melody ends up getting a communication device that allows her to talk with others and express her feelings. Regardless of her challenges, she is very smart, and with the help of others and her tools, she is able to show her intelligence. Along the way, navigating school becomes difficult, leading to major joys and heartbreaks. Overall, the story teaches that being involved and being kind to others is very important.
A significant component of “Out of My Mind” is the use of communication, which is how powerful it is. Communicating was always something Melody struggled with because she was never able to talk. Then, when she got the communication device, it changed her whole life. She was able to show her thoughts and feelings to others, and there were no complications. Melody was always very smart because, since she could not talk, it was difficult for her to truly express her ideas. It was the first time she was able to speak with her family and nurse, and it is what eventually allowed her to go to school and communicate with her classmates. All in all, communication is a very important part of the story, and it is what drives the plot forward.
Another key part of the story “Out of My Mind” is the relationship between Melody and her mom, Diane. Melody’s mom is very protective and supportive of Melody. She wants her to experience new things, but at the same time, she wants to make sure that she is safe at all times. She worries about how others will treat Melody and how they will act when they see her. Their bond adds to the plot because it shows that challenges are more manageable when someone is willing to help you and be by your side. Whenever Melody goes through a hardship or when she is happy, her mom is always right there to check on how she is doing. Diane plays an important role in Melody’s life, and she lets Melody navigate through new experiences in order to grow, which expands the storyline.
Moreover, “Out of My Mind” would be rated a 4 out of 5 stars because it has a very intriguing plot. It would be recommended to anyone looking for a series to read because this is the first book of a trilogy.
