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Out of my mind sharon draper7/3/2023 ![]() ![]() This book is very honest about how mean and awful kids can be, and there's an especially bad scene near the end of the book where Melody's class goes to a competition and leaves her behind. WHAT AGE CAN A KID READ IT? I said ten and up because Melody is around that age, and because the story feels like it's written for older kids, not younger kids. SEX (0.5/10)- Almost none, but Melody wonders if a boy will ever like her. Some kids in Melody's school say rude things about her and other kids with disabilities. It's quite an unexpected, scary, and sad scene. Melody's younger sister is hit by a car and breaks her leg, but for a while Melody isn't sure if her sister will be okay. Some kids in Melody's school are unkind to her and other kids with disabilities. Melody's pet fish dies after jumping out of its bowl. VIOLENCE AND SCARINESS (3/10)- Common Sense Media said 0/5, but there are actually a few scary/disturbing scenes in this book. Melody's parents and neighbour, Mrs V, are helpful and encouraging, and believe that Melody is capable of anything. POSITIVE ROLE MODELS (3.5/5)- Melody is a positive, kind person who tries her hardest. A sense of humor can help you tolerate even prejudice and ill feeling." ![]() Love is a great motivator, and family support is invaluable. Even if all your dreams don't come true, it's possible to improve your life. Keep striving for what you want, no matter how impossible it seems. POSITIVE MESSAGES (4/5)- Common Sense Media says it perfectly: "Don't judge people at face value. Though this book is ultimately a good choice for families with older kids, here are some things that parents should be aware of: Draper writes well from a child's perspective. The story doesn't sound very original, but the characters really are unique and memorable. She wants to fit in with her classmates and be a regular kid, and she wants to join her school's quiz team, but not everyone is very supportive. The story is about an incredibly smart fifth-grader named Melody who is in a wheelchair and can't speak. I didn't expect this book to be as sad as it is, and I definitely didn't expect to be as affected by the story as I was. When I was around ten, my mom read this book to me, and we were both crying by the end. ![]()
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