Out of My Heart

It's summer, and Melody has a plan: she's found a camp for kids like her, and she wants to go. Camp Green Glade has all sorts of activities - swimming, horseback riding, and more - and it's specially made for kids like her, whether with cerebral palsy or other physical challenges. She convinces her parents to check it out, and she's set for a summer full of new experiences.

This was an absolute joy to read. I already liked Melody in Out of My Mind, and I loved spending more time with this girl with a sharp brain who isn't going to let anything hold her back. Where Out of My Mind was in many ways about how she was left out, this book really focused on what she could do. It was fun to see her make friends and absolutely blossom over the show more week of camp. show less

This heartfelt sequel takes Melody—who has cerebral palsy and uses a Medi‑Talker—on an empowering summer camp adventure. With a 700L Lexile and short, emotionally resonant chapters, it’s ideal for readers in grades 5–8. The story is moving and inspiring: Melody’s journey toward independence, horseback riding fears, and first crush are all deeply relatable and beautifully written. The book tackles themes of inclusion, friendship, and self-discovery in a way that sticks with students long after they close the cover. It’s both entertaining and educational—perfect for building empathy and conversation.

In this sequel to OUT OF MY MIND, Melody goes to summer camp for a week, where she meets and bonds with other kids with disabilities. Her cabin of "fiery falcons" rides horses, goes swimming, ziplines, paints, enjoys nighttime bonfires, and even dances.

A solid follow-up to OUT OF MY MIND for readers who want more of Melody's story, and it works as a standalone as well. There's a memorable metaphor in which Melody describes having so much (brain)power on the inside, yet so little control over her outside.

#DisabilityVisibility

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All that power dimmed. I thought about that. It faded - we couldn't see it, but wasn't it still there, just waiting to be used? ...And all of a sudden, I felt like crying/ Because...well, that was me - so much show more on the inside that still could not get to the outside. Energy trapped....I'm tangled inside myself. And there's no magical key to unravel the coils. (Melody on a boat, 150) show less

Melody is a year older, and a year braver. And now with her Medi-talker, she feels nothing’s out of her reach, not even summer camp. There have to be camps for differently-abled kids like her, and she’s going to sleuth one out. A place where she can trek through a forest, fly on a zip line, and even ride on a horse! A place where maybe she really can finally make a real friend, make her own decisions, and even do things on her own—the dream!
By the light of flickering campfires and the power of thunderstorms, through the terror of unexpected creatures in cabins and the first sparkle of a crush, Melody’s about to discover how brave and strong she really is.

Sharon Draper continues Melody's story in this wonderful sequel to out of my mind. Draper continues to give Melody a voice and write an authentic YA book about disability that never tries to be an inspiration p*rn or turn disability into a tragedy. In this sequel, Melody goes to camp, a sleepaway camp, gains independence, and experiences her first crush

Fans of Out of my Mind (and there are many in our school) will be happy to hear more of Melody’s story. In the afterward, author Sharon Draper says “I write fiction so we can all see the truth.” The truth for Melody is that in addition to having CP and being non-verbal, she still wants what all 12 year olds want – some independence from her parents. Melody finds that independence at summer camp. She overcomes fears, tries new things, and realizes that despite having so much of herself trapped on the inside, she still has power . . . and maybe a boyfriend too.

While Draper’s book Out of my Head remains my favorite, Draper’s sequel about a preteen girl with cerebral palsy is an excellent book. 12-year-old Melody tells her story of what it is like to live in a wheelchair, unable to do anything independently. Melody’s voice is authentic as she tells of her week at a summer camp for disabled children. She speaks of having friends who accept her just as she is. She tells of her first -time swimming, zip-lining and riding a horse. And she now has a medi-talker that allows her to communicate vocally with others. A welcome addition to any collection that encourages readers to learn about people different from themselves, or people like Melody who never see themselves portrayed in literature.