"Claire gets sick in the middle of a crowded restaurant, yet I'm the one that everyone looks at sideways."
This line rings true to my experience, growing up with a visible disability means you deal with: lots of staring, some rudeness, people who don't have expectations of all that you CAN do, or the person you ARE, and some plain unfairness. That might be part of the reason I loved this book so much. It is really sad, and I did cry while reading it, but that shows how real the book is. I am lucky, I haven't experienced much of the discrimination that Melody in Out of My Mind has, but I can relate to this story on a real level. Even if you don't have a personal experience with disability, I think you will like this book. As you read the story, you are in Melody's mind, and you know things that no one else knows, and inside Melody's mind is a funny and interesting place!
P.S. Thank you Mrs. Ruckman for NEVER leaving me and making sure that I am ALWAYS part of the teams!
Rating: *****
I couldn't wait to read your review of this book! I really liked it, too, but gosh was it ever sad in parts! (But thought-provoking, too!)
ReplyDeletethanks Mary, I think it might get the Schneider Family Book Award. What would you recommend I read next for Mock Newbery?
ReplyDeleteThere are SO MANY great books already this year! If I were you, I think I'd try something just a bit lighter in tone... A Nest for Celeste by Henry Cole or The Night Fairy by Laura Amy Schlitz are both fine books. If you want a book that is EXCELLENT but might make you cry even more than Out of My Mind, try Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine. (This is one your mom might want to read with you, because it's one you want to be able to talk about.)
ReplyDeleteLaura,
ReplyDeleteThanks for telling me about your review! I've met a lot of teen book bloggers but never one as young as you. You rock, girl!! We're neighbors, too! I live on the NW side of Indy.
Thanks Mary. I just ordered Mockingbird and One Crazy Summer (yeah for book store gift cards)Mockingbird will not ship to April 15th, you are so lucky to get ARC's!!!!
ReplyDeleteCampbele,
I LOVE libraians so maybe our paths will cross, I promise not to run you over!!
Mrs. Ruckman said...
ReplyDeleteI'm putting this on my summer reading list. It never once occurred to me to leave you out of anything. You are a stellar member of any team I know, including the "team of life!"
I just ordered a "sample" on my Kindle. Thanks for the recommendation.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a sad book yet is sooo good!
ReplyDelete