Out of my mind by Sharon M. Draper

This is the second Stage 3 (age 10+) book I've read this week that tells the tale of a girl genius and has a goldfish on the cover (the first being Counting by 7s). In this case, the genius is 11 year old Melody who is in a wheelchair and cannot talk or walk, and the goldfish relates to being trapped in a bowl rather than swimming against the tide. The book has a good storyline with a few plot twists.

The story explores Melody's thoughts and frustrations, the experience of parenting a child with special needs, and how Melody is treated by teachers and able-bodied students. Some children in the story are blatantly rude while others try to be kind. Though even the kind ones struggle to know what to say when they're with her, or where to look when she starts to drool.

Melody's life changes first when her sister is born, then when her school introduces an inclusion programme, and later when she gets a computer that can speak pre-programmed words and phrases. The computer finally allows her to communicate. Her schoolmates are shocked when Melody turns out to be super bright.

The book is not simply a reminder that children with physical disabilities can be highly intelligent. It explores friendships between people who are different. It looks at how people (both children and adults) often feel uncomfortable around anyone who is different and would rather not have to deal with them. It shows that the provision of teachers for children with special needs is very hit and miss, that the work is hard, and the staff turnover is high.

Other characters include:

Penny - Melody's little sister.

Catherine -  a university student who works as an aide with Melody.

Rose - Melody's able-bodied school friend.

Claire - a smart and blatantly rude school child.

Mrs Billups - a teacher put in charge of H-5 who treats the children like pre-schoolers.

Mr Dimming - the teacher in charge of the school quiz team.

Mrs V - a neighbour who has child-minded and encouraged Melody since she was a baby.

Questions for discussion:

Do you think children with disabilities should be taught in separate schools or classes or in the same class as everyone else?

How could Melody's intelligence have been more accurately assessed before she started school?

Why do you think the quiz team met for breakfast without Melody?

How do you think Melody felt about her sister? (Provide evidence).

How did Mr Dimming feel about Melody? (Provide evidence).

Why do you think Claire suddenly claimed to be Melody's best friend?

There are two major plot twists towards the end of the book. What do they add? Why do you think the author put them in?

In chapter 32 how does the author show that Mr Dimming and the class are embarrassed without using the word?