Out of My Mind Summary

Description

Here you will find a Out of My Mind summary (Sharon M. Draper's book).
We begin with a summary of the entire book, and then you can read each individual chapter's summary by visiting the links on the "Chapters" section.

P.S.: As an Amazon Associate, we earn money from purchases made through links in this page. But the summaries are totally free!

Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024

Out of My Mind Summary Overview

The story revolves around a young girl named Melody Brooks, who is challenged with cerebral palsy from birth. Melody struggles with basic tasks such as walking, talking, and feeding herself, all of which are taken care of by her parents and a neighbor, Mrs. V, who also acts as her part-time caregiver. Despite her physical difficulties, Melody possesses an exceptional intellect, absorbing everything she hears and sees with a photographic memory. Music stimulates her senses in such a way that she can hear colors and smell images. She resents her restrictions and longs to live and communicate like other children. When Melody turns five, her mother takes her to a doctor to assess her intelligence and eligibility for school. The doctor dismisses her potential and recommends a school for the developmentally disabled or a residential facility. Melody's mother, believing in her daughter's extraordinary intelligence, defies the doctor's advice and enrolls Melody in the local elementary school. During her schooling years, Melody finds the special needs learning program unchallenging and repetitive. Fortunately, Mrs. V, who identifies Melody's language skills need, upgrades her communication board with a broader set of words and pictures. When Melody starts fifth grade, she receives an electric wheelchair that offers her newfound freedom. School also begins an inclusive program, where Melody meets a friendly girl named Rose and encounters bullies named Molly and Claire. With the help of a newfound device, Medi-Talker, Melody can express her thoughts and communicate effectively. In fifth grade, Melody stuns everyone with her intelligence by scoring a perfect score in a practice exercise for a school quiz competition. Despite skepticism from classmates, Melody secures a spot on the school quiz team. However, she feels a sense of alienation despite being a part of the team. The team wins a regional competition but then leaves Melody behind when a flight to the national finals is canceled due to bad weather. After a devastating incident where her little sister Penny is injured due to a miscommunication, Melody returns to school to face her team. They offer her a pity trophy, which Melody accidentally breaks and refuses to accept. As the school year ends, Melody begins working on her autobiography, realizing that she isn't so different from her peers. Despite her physical limitations, she shares common feelings and experiences with other fifth graders.

chapter 1

A near eleven-year-old girl serves as the narrator of the story. She resides with her mom and dad, demonstrating an advanced comprehension of language from a young age. Her memory retains nearly every song and story her parents have shared with her. Despite her mind teeming with thoughts, she has yet to utter a single word.

chapter 2

Melody Brooks, a young girl, is severely impaired by a medical condition that limits her mobility and speech. She has to rely on her pink wheelchair for movement, which she finds unimpressive. Her illness often causes her limbs to move involuntarily. Despite her physical limitations, Melody has a remarkable memory, able to remember events from her infancy. She grasped the concept of language quickly and has an innate understanding of sounds. Like her name suggests, she loves music and has a strong memory for songs and rhythms. She sees music in colors and scents, associating country music with the taste of lemons. What frustrates Melody the most is the ease at which others can talk, while she struggles to express the numerous thoughts inside her head.

chapter 3

Growing up, Melody gradually understood her own physical restrictions. Although her mind was sharp and memory excellent, she struggled with basic tasks like holding her stuffed cat. Unsteady and unbalanced, she'd often topple over, even with her parents' efforts to stabilize her with pillows. Her limited mobility only allowed her to operate the clicker of her wheelchair. Her father's mature conversations with her, even when she was a young girl, were appreciated by Melody. Her advanced cognitive abilities allowed her to comprehend most of his words. Bedtime stories were a fond memory, where she demonstrated a remarkable ability to memorize every word. Melody's ability to recall everything she sees in great detail led her to believe she had a photographic memory. The extent of her intelligence remained unknown to others, causing her extreme frustration due to her inability to express it. This frustration occasionally resulted in what she termed "tornado explosions," uncontrollable episodes of body jerking, screaming, and breathlessness, which she detested but could not prevent.

chapter 4

Upon turning five, Melody’s mother consults Dr. Hugely, a prominent figure, about her readiness for school. The doctor assigns Melody various tasks to assess her ability, but due to her physical constraints, she struggles to perform them. This isn't a reflection of her intellectual ability, but her physical condition. Dr. Hugely instructs her to pile colored blocks, but her rigid arms scatter them instead. Melody grows frustrated as she can't verbally respond to his queries despite knowing the answers. The doctor informs her mother that Melody is “severely brain damaged” and diagnoses her with cerebral palsy. Despite knowing the disorder’s name, Melody’s mother rejects the notion of her daughter being unintelligent. Distraught, her mother dismisses the doctor's suggestion of sending Melody to a school for the developmentally disabled or a residential facility, stating it would be too much to handle. She firmly contests that their family will not abandon Melody and accuses the doctor of underestimating her child's intelligence. As they exit, she informs Dr. Hugely of her decision to enroll Melody at Spaulding Street Elementary School.

chapter 5

For five years, Melody has been attending Spaulding Street Elementary School, where a designated bus for children with special needs transports her daily. She's part of a special program for disabled kids. Initially, she was thrilled to join, but now she feels the learning environment is too simplistic, resembling a nursery rather than a place for nine to eleven-year-olds. The teachers, while kind, repetitively teach the same content. Melody's mother used to attach a tray with commonly used words, phrases, numbers, and alphabet to her wheelchair for communication, but it too hasn't improved over the years. Melody yearns for more from her education but is unable to express this. She finds solace in watching the “normal” kids playing outside at school, secretly wishing to join them or at least be acknowledged. She feels like she and her classmates in H-5 are treated as if they don't exist.

chapter 6

Melody's next-door neighbor, known affectionately as "Mrs. V," is a key figure in her life. She has been helping care for Melody from the tender age of two, never letting Melody's disability hinder her personal growth. She fosters in Melody a sense of determination and resilience, teaching her to roll over and reach for toys and eventually crawl across a room by three years old. As Melody starts school, she is well-versed in words but cannot read. Mrs. V introduces her to a documentary about Stephen Hawking, a brilliant man living with ALS who can neither walk nor talk. She believes Melody and Stephen share a characteristic — brilliance. Intent to enhance Melody's language skills, Mrs. V revamps Melody's communication board, augmenting it with various word types, numbers, phrases, and pictures of people in Melody's life. This facilitates Melody's ability to form sentences by pointing with her thumb. They use flashcards to expand Melody's vocabulary every day, and the pair enjoy their shared time immensely.

chapter 7

During her second grade, Melody's instructor, Mrs. Tracy, discerns Melody's love for books. Thus, she provides Melody with headphones and audiobooks on CD. Upon completion of a CD, Mrs. Tracy quizzes Melody who nails each question. Unfortunately, third grade isn't as smooth with her new tutor, Mrs. Billups. The teacher starts each day playing a children's songs CD and discussing single letters of the alphabet. On a particular day in February, the lesson focused on 'B', which frustrated Melody leading to a "tornado explosion", sparking chaos in the entire class. Melody's mom receives a call from Mrs. Billups, who requests her presence. Upon arrival, Melody indicates the word 'alphabet' on her board. When her mother inquires about the day's lesson, Mrs. Billups informs her about the alphabet review. This triggers Melody's mother, who angrily informs Mrs. Billups of Melody's intelligence and familiarity with the alphabet and numerous words. She discovers Mrs. Billups never bothered to read the prior teacher's notes about the students. She accuses Mrs. Billups of lacking proper teaching skills and merely wasting time with pointless tasks. Mrs. Billups soon resigns, leaving the class under the care of substitute teachers for the rest of the school year.

chapter 8

At age five, Melody had a pet fish named Ollie. A few years later, Ollie jumped out of his bowl. Seeing that Ollie would die without water, Melody knocked his bowl over to get him back into the water. However, her mother misinterpreted the situation and thought Melody killed Ollie intentionally, which upset Melody as she was unable to explain the truth. For her eighth birthday, Melody was gifted a golden retriever puppy, Butterscotch, by her parents, which brought her immense joy. Some months later, Melody tumbled from her wheelchair while watching a movie, and Butterscotch was the only one present. Unable to move or call for help, Melody was helpless. Butterscotch, sensing Melody's predicament, began bashing against the closed door and barking loudly. This woke up Melody's mother who rushed into the room to find Melody on the floor. She realized her mistake of not strapping Melody into her wheelchair securely. After ensuring Melody was unharmed, they both appreciated Butterscotch's vigilance.

chapter 9

At the age of eight, Melody's world shifts with the news of her mother's pregnancy. Melody, worried about whether her parents can care for a newborn while managing her needs, fears they might consider sending her away as suggested by Dr. Hugely. The family collectively shares concerns about whether the baby will be “normal.” Melody and her mother are both burdened with guilt over Melody's disability. Fortunately, Penny, Melody's younger sister, is born healthy and develops normally, astounding Melody. Penny affectionately refers to Melody as Dee-Dee. Daily routines become more challenging. Both Penny and Melody need assistance in the mornings, with Penny going to Mrs. V's and Melody preparing for school. Melody, unable to chew well, requires someone to feed her, a time-consuming task. The increased stress triggers disagreements between Melody's parents, but they always reconcile, breathe deeply, and continue with their responsibilities.

chapter 10

Melody relishes the daily routine of her mother, Penny, and her pet, Butterscotch, greeting her each morning. They all share the bathroom routine, made possible because Penny successfully trained Melody for the toilet at an early age. Melody and Penny share an unspoken connection, often understanding each other without words. Melody's attempts at speech usually result in unintelligible sounds, though she can occasionally form a vowel sound. Her mother, on the other hand, can articulate many words. Melody finds her communication board inadequate for expressing her complex thoughts. One day, while Penny is away, Melody struggles to tell her father she desires a Big Mac and a shake. Her father fails to understand her because her board lacks the appropriate expressions. Frustration mounts in Melody, manifesting as a looming “tornado explosion.” Her father decides to prepare noodles and cheese for her, and Melody, resigned to giving up on the Big Mac, calmly points to the word 'yes' on her board.

chapter 11

Melody begins fifth grade with her new electric wheelchair, giving her more independence. She controls it using a lever, though it can still be manually pushed if needed. Mrs. Shannon, her teacher in room H-5, recognizes Melody's potential and provides her with headphones and audio books, which she greatly appreciates. An inclusion program is introduced at Spaulding Street Elementary, promoting interaction between H-5 students and the rest of the school. Melody's debut inclusion class is Mrs. Lovelace's music lesson, leaving her thrilled yet apprehensive. After the H-5 students join the class, they become slightly overwhelmed, drawing stares and mockery from two girls named Molly and Claire. Mrs. Lovelace reprimands them, forcing them to stand for the rest of the lesson. As Mrs. Lovelace plays the piano, Melody starts to relax, envisioning shades of green. The H-5 students are invited to sit closer to the other students. Melody feels a sense of relief when a girl named Rose offers her a seat nearby. Melody views Rose as friendly and senses a budding friendship. From then on, the H-5 students regularly participate in Mrs. Lovelace's music class every Wednesday.

chapter 12

Towards October's end, the inclusive program extends to more subjects. Melody's parents meet with Mrs. Shannon, who praises Melody's intelligence and foresees her leading the program. Melody, thrilled by this, expresses her joy through sounds and movement. Mrs. Shannon sets the wheels in motion to hire an aide named Catherine to support Melody in class. Catherine's ability to treat her like any other student endears her to Melody. Catherine aids Melody in various ways, including reading aloud the answers Melody indicates on her board and helping her during lunch. However, there is some tension when Claire and Molly accuse Catherine of aiding Melody in cheating during a language arts class. Melody deduces that their accusations stem from either jealousy or misconceptions about her life. In the same class, Miss Gordon assigns two writing tasks: a biography of a renowned individual and a personal autobiography to be done later in the year. History class, taught by Mr. Dimming, becomes a delight for Melody. She likens him to a game show participant, always spouting data, key events, and historical dates. His intelligence is so impressive that he supervises the school's quiz team.

chapter 13

One afternoon, Mrs. V gives Penny, Melody's two-year-old sister, a coloring book and crayons. Seeing Penny effortlessly use a crayon, Melody yearns to sketch a rose for her friend named Rose. Mrs. V shares the news that she won a contest, the prize being a fully paid trip for six to the new aquarium downtown. She invites Melody's family, but one ticket remains open. Melody suggests Rose, and after obtaining agreement from both sides, Melody is thrilled. The journey to the aquarium is filled with lively chatter among Rose, Mrs. V, and Melody's parents. All goes well until Molly and Claire show up at the aquarium, giggling when they learn about Rose's company. Overhearing Rose's modest reply, Melody feels uncertain. Mrs. V remarks on Claire's braces, subtly reminding her that there are others who require aids like wheelchairs and walkers. As Penny grows weary, they decide to leave. Even though Rose claims to have enjoyed, Melody is unsure about the sincerity of her words.

chapter 14

Melody comes across a group of students surrounding Rose and her new laptop as she enters Miss Gordon's class. Envisioning her ideal laptop, Melody grows excited and communicates her desire for a specially designed computer to Catherine through her communication board. Understanding after a few tries, Catherine gets the message. Meanwhile, Miss Gordon announces that the students need to choose a biography subject. Melody indicates Stephen Hawking, keen on knowing about him and his assistive technology. She again expresses her wish for a computer on her board, to which Catherine agrees to assist.

chapter 15

Melody and Catherine discover a device known as the Medi-Talker, which can be operated by Melody using her thumbs. Catherine gets information printed about it and Melody eagerly presents this to Mrs. V. Upon inspection, Mrs. V sees it as a great fit for Melody and shares it with her mother. Melody's parents also find it to be a good idea so they proceed with the necessary formalities to purchase it. Shortly, Mrs. V has the device ready for Melody to open after school. Melody can barely contain her excitement, almost leading to a “tornado explosion.” Mrs. V unpacks the Medi-Talker, hooks it up for charging, and starts going through the user guide. Melody, eager to use it, switches it on by pressing a button with her right thumb. They find out that the device has over a dozen levels, all accessible by a single button. Each level comes with thousands of words, phrases, numbers, and even jokes stored in its memory. Mrs. V takes steps to add all names Melody knows along with her vocabulary words to customize the device. After a bit of programming, Melody presses buttons and the device says “Thanks, Mrs. V.” Both get emotional. Melody names the device Elvira, after one of her favorite songs. When her parents come to collect Melody and Penny, she uses Elvira to greet them with “Hi, Dad. Hi, Mom. I am so happy.” She then presses more buttons to express something she has never been able to say before: “I love you.” Her parents are overcome with emotion.

chapter 16

Melody takes her Medi-Talker to school after perfecting its use over the holiday. The machine, dubbed Elvira, leaves a lasting impact on her peers and teachers when she shows them its capabilities. Melody receives support from Mrs. Shannon, Catherine, and Rose. Despite a sarcastic comment made by Claire in Miss Gordon’s class, Melody manages to turn the situation into a humorous one, making everyone, including herself, laugh. Following a fun joke told by the Medi-Talker, Melody feels a sense of belonging for the first time. Claire admits her ignorance about Melody's intellectual capability, to which Miss Gordon asserts that Melody has always had thoughts but lacked the means to express them, a fact Melody confirms. Rose and Melody then share a brief, friendly exchange, confirming their friendship.

chapter 17

During a preparation session for the Whiz Kids school contest, orchestrated by history teacher Mr. Dimming, Melody is asked by Catherine if she wants to participate. Melody eagerly agrees. Once the practice is over, Catherine presents Melody's paper to Mr. Dimming, who is taken aback that Melody has joined in. Everyone is shocked when Mr. Dimming reveals Melody's perfect score, the highest in the class. Molly suspects cheating, insinuating that Catherine might have assisted Melody because she can't even sit up independently. Catherine firmly refutes this, arguing that Melody may lack physical abilities, but her brain functions perfectly well. The class's skepticism brings Melody close to tears. Despite this, Catherine assures Melody they will study diligently for the quiz team tryouts. Melody's spirits are further crushed when Mr. Dimming suggests that his questions were too easy, as evidenced by Melody's high score. He promises to devise more challenging questions for the school tournament, much to the class's delight, but not Melody's.

chapter 18

Following school, a disgruntled Melody visits Mrs. V. When asked about her day, Melody remains silent, shutting off her Medi-Talker and looking away. Catherine, having called Mrs. V, fills her in on the incidents of Mr. Dimming's class. The news leaves Mrs. V livid. She pushes Melody to join the quiz team and pledges her full support in studying, training, and preparation. Melody's demeanor transitions from bitterness to excitement as they dive into their studies. Mrs. V drills Melody for hours, later updating Catherine about their strategy. Catherine agrees to assist with Melody's school studies. They devote an entire day to study in H-5 classroom, with Melody even skipping her inclusion classes. Her absence from other classes goes unnoticed.

chapter 19

Melody immerses herself in Whiz Kids quiz preparation for the entire week, receiving assistance from Catherine at school, Mrs. V after school, and her parents in the evenings. As the team tryouts approach, Melody and Mrs. V have a conversation on the porch, interrupted by a passing bird. This prompts Mrs. V to ask Melody how she'd feel if she could fly. Melody cautiously admits her fear that she might enjoy the experience so much that she wouldn't come back. Mrs. V assures her that she is a bird that will take flight during the test. In the midst of this, Melody's mom, Penny, and Butterscotch join them from next door. This makes Melody ponder on Mrs. V's bird question again, leading her to point at Penny and type "freedom" for Mrs. V to understand. Mrs. V gets her point, and Melody's mom appreciates Mrs. V's constant help. In response, Mrs. V says Melody's learning process isn't different from Penny's, the true challenge lies in others comprehending her thoughts. Despite this, Melody remains self-assured and feels buoyed by her family and Mrs. V's support.

chapter 20

Melody anxiously hears the principal's announcement about the Whiz Kids quiz team tryouts. She spends the school day preparing in room H-5 with Catherine, skipping her inclusion classes. Post the final bell, they head for Mr. Dimming's classroom for the tryouts. Melody's presence confuses Rose, to which Melody responds by typing 'quiz team'. She chooses to overlook Claire making a snide remark about her to Molly. Mr. Dimming seems unenthusiastic to see Melody there. He voices his doubts to Catherine about Melody's participation, much to Melody's annoyance. Her Medi-Talker loudly declares her intent to take the test. After Rose's support and Catherine reminding Mr. Dimming of Melody's legal right to participate, Catherine leaves. Mr. Dimming reluctantly gives the test instructions and the students, Melody included, take the test. As she departs, Mr. Dimming assures Melody his intention was never to discourage her, but to shield her from potential hurt.

chapter 21

The quiz team hopefuls all chatter excitedly the following day. Melody, feeling nervous, joins Catherine to hear Mr. Dimming announce the team members. Amanda and Elena, sixth graders, and Molly and Rodney, fifth graders from Mr. Dimming's class, are revealed as the alternates. The finalists, all fifth graders from his class, include Connor, Claire, Rose, and Melody. Mr. Dimming shares with the class that Melody answered every question correctly. Rose expresses shock, while Claire worries that Melody will make the team appear odd. Mr. Dimming feels regret for having underestimated Melody before. He tells the class about the compulsory after-school practices leading up to the first competition. Melody, thrilled about the prospect of appearing on TV, starts moving her arms and legs uncontrollably. She signals to Catherine to help her leave to avoid attracting more attention.

chapter 22

Over the following fortnight, the quiz team dedicates their after school hours to intense study and practice sessions. Melody, although happy to be on the team, struggles with feeling a sense of belonging. The rapid-fire questions during practice leave her no time to input her answers. Eventually, a tough question gives Melody the opportunity to respond, impressing everyone with her correct answer. This incites scepticism in Claire who is left pondering how Melody's knowledge could be so vast. Rose steps in, defending Melody by stating simply that she is intelligent. Claire comments about how peculiar Melody will appear on TV, to which Melody, ready with a pre-typed response, retorts that plenty of people look strange on television - Claire could be one of them. This comeback leaves Melody feeling triumphant. One afternoon, practice is accompanied by pizza, courtesy of Rose's mother. When offered a slice, Melody declines, preferring not to reveal her reliance on others to feed her.

chapter 23

The regional Whiz Kids contest is upon us. Melody has a meaningful conversation with Mrs. V while they wait for the school bus. Mrs. V carefully explains the day's schedule and lets Melody know that the studio has made arrangements for her. Furthermore, she mentions that there may be journalists eager to interview Melody. Melody however, fails to understand why they'd be interested. Mrs. V likens Melody to the Stephen Hawking of their elementary school. Following school, Melody's mom fetches her, feeds her and drives her to the city TV station. There, they encounter Paul, a stage manager who instantly makes Melody feel comfortable. Paul introduces Melody to a unique answer board crafted just for her, enabling her to use her entire wrist to press the answer button rather than solely her thumb as she does with her Medi-Talker. Soon after, Mr. Dimming and the rest of her team, as well as the opposing school teams, arrive. With Melody's family and Mrs. V in the audience, and Catherine stationed behind the camera for support, Melody feels prepared and self-assured.

chapter 24

Mr. Kingsley, the master of ceremonies, introduces the Whiz Kids Southwest Ohio Regional Competition. He details the rules, emphasizing that the top two teams will battle for the local championship. The national winners will be featured on Good Morning America and proceed to the competition in Washington, D.C. In the first round, Melody's squad from Spaulding Street Elementary competes against Woodland Elementary. After a fierce competition, Spaulding Street emerges as the winner. Melody’s team retreats to a viewing area to observe the remaining preliminary rounds, joined by Melody’s family, Mrs. V, and Catherine. Perry Valley school triumphs after the fourth round, scoring a single point more than Spaulding Street. The finals will feature Spaulding Street and Perry Valley school. Mr. Kingsley further announces that the winning team, along with their chaperones, will have a fully sponsored trip to Washington, D.C., including a tour of the city. The national champions will be awarded a massive gold trophy, and their school will receive a $2,000 prize.

chapter 25

The final round kicks off pitting Spaulding Street against Perry Valley. Perry Valley maintains a slim lead until the last two questions. Ultimately, Spaulding Street Elementary trumps Perry Valley by a single point. Melody's excitement is evident as Claire insists someone quiet her down. Mr. Kingsley ends the broadcast, urging viewers to catch the upcoming finals. The stage is then swarmed by Mr. Dimming, alternate participants, and family of the contestants. The atmosphere is electric with joy. Cameras focus on Melody, flashing relentlessly. A journalist requests an interview with the victorious Spaulding Street team. He announces them as winners and requests introductions. Claire, Rose, and Connor introduce themselves while the Medi-Talker device introduces Melody before Connor can. The reporter then turns her attention to Melody, but Claire interrupts, claiming they're close friends. Rose attempts to speak but is told there's no time left. To wrap up, the reporter praises the team and highlights the supposed close bond between Melody and Claire, leaving Melody stunned.

chapter 26

Mr. Dimming proposes a meal at a restaurant to celebrate their success. The group, including a momentarily hesitant Melody, agrees. At the restaurant, they order food and engage in lively conversation. However, when the food arrives, Melody doesn't start eating because she needs assistance due to her disability. Sensing her daughter's desire to eat, Melody's mother helps her eat. This action draws Claire and Molly's attention and the table quiets down. Melody, feeling uncomfortable, decides to take the rest of her meal to go. She observes Claire eating less and talking less than usual. As the topic of their future trip to Washington resurfaces, Claire suddenly falls ill, vomiting on Mr. Dimming's shoes. After the embarrassing incident, Claire and Mr. Dimming leave the table, leaving Melody pondering if Claire felt as awkward as she did when being fed. Interestingly, Melody notes that the group seems unfazed by Claire's situation. Once Claire returns looking sickly, they settle the bill and depart.

chapter 27

Melody finds herself on the morning paper's front page after her team's triumph. Fearful her team will resent the attention she's getting, she experiences their disappointment firsthand at school. Rose feels the entire team deserved recognition in the picture, a sentiment Melody shares. Melody then heads to Mr. Dimming’s class, where he conveys his pride and appreciates Melody's key contribution to the win. He hands out a packet with trip details to Washington, D.C. and informs them of daily practices. The six top-scoring students will represent the team in D.C. After school, Catherine inquires about Melody's unease. Through her communicator, Melody reveals the team's reluctance to include her due to her difference.

chapter 28

A fortnight of training wraps up and Mr. Dimming declares the final quiz team: Connor, Rose, Molly, Elena, Rodney, and Melody, with Claire and Amanda as backups. Claire is displeased. In preparation for their journey, Mrs. V assists Melody and her mother with packing. Melody is emotional about the impending trip and imagines hanging out with Rose in D.C., wishing to be like any other girl. Melody's family, along with Mrs. V, escort Melody and her mother to the airport, only to be informed by an airline staff that their flight has been called off due to poor weather. There are no other flights to reach their destination in time for the quiz event. On asking about the other team members, they learn that the rest of the squad had breakfast and reached the airport early, managing to get on the last flight prior to the cancellations. The news that no one informed them and that they left Melody behind leaves Melody, her family, and Mrs. V both bewildered and disappointed. Realizing they can't do anything else, they return home.

chapter 29

Melody is at home, overwhelmed by sadness and confusion about being left by her team. She's filled with frustration and anger, longing to express it physically, but her body doesn't allow it. Her sister Penny comes to comfort her, providing a small consolation. Despite her parents' attempts to feed her, Melody has no appetite. When the phone rings, she overhears her mother sternly questioning Mr. Dimming about why they were not informed about the team's departure. Upon hearing Mr. Dimming's promise to make things right for Melody, her mother's anger peaks and she abruptly ends the call. Afterwards, she gathers Melody into her arms, offering comfort and rocking her until sleep finally comes.

chapter 30

Melody's dad reveals they came ninth in the competition and won a small trophy. Despite her attempts to stay indifferent, Melody is filled with sadness that soon turns into rage. She insists on going to school, driven by the desire to prove her resilience and see Catherine. Due to a violent storm, Melody reverts to her manual wheelchair and old communication board. The morning is chaotic for the family, but her mom agrees to drive her to school. After getting drenched in the rain, she secures Melody in the vehicle. As they're about to leave, Melody spots Penny escaping the house. Unable to communicate due to her lack of Medi-Talker, Melody desperately tries to alert her mom through physical gestures, but she misinterprets it as a tantrum. As they reverse, a faint thump sends a chill down their spine. Upon realizing they've injured Penny, her parents are filled with horror while Melody is paralyzed with fear in the car.

chapter 31

Melody's parents are in the ambulance with Penny, rushing to the hospital. Mrs. V is left to console Melody, who blames herself for the accident due to her insistence to attend school. Mrs. V reassures her that she did her best to alert her mother and it wasn't her fault. Melody expresses a wish that she had been the one hurt, believing nobody would care. Mrs. V contradicts this, stating she would be devastated if anything happened to Melody. Melody shares her recent struggles, including being abandoned by the quiz team, and her desire to be like other children. Mrs. V counters, saying she values Melody's uniqueness. Afterward, a phone call informs them that Penny has sustained internal and leg injuries, but has come out of surgery successfully and will recover. This information significantly relieves both Mrs. V and Melody.

chapter 32

In the morning, Melody confides in Mrs. V that confronting the quiz team is a minor issue compared to Penny's incident. She starts observing her classmates in a new light, recognizing that they've never been cruel to her. Catherine arrives, and Melody expresses her desire to attend her mainstream classes. As they step into Mr. Dimming's classroom, they spot a small trophy on his desk. The classroom is unusually quiet, and Mr. Dimming welcomes Melody in a strained, jovial tone. Melody remains silent and glances at Rose, who avoids her gaze. Melody breaks the quiet by asking her Medi-Talker to question why the team abandoned her. Each teammate offers up an excuse, with Mr. Dimming also chiming in to justify his actions. The silence resumes, broken only when Rose starts crying. Connor approaches Melody and places the flimsy trophy on her tray, claiming it's their way of apologizing. Melody responds with laughter, and abruptly, her hand knocks the trophy off the tray, shattering it. The class anticipates an angry reaction, but Melody remains calm, prompting a few chuckles from the class. Her Medi-Talker loudly proclaims that she doesn't want the trophy and they should keep it. Amidst her laughter, she turns her wheelchair around and exits the room.

chapter 33

Melody is beginning to see that she shares more similarities with her typical fifth-grade peers than she initially realized. Every student grapples with the anxieties of acceptance, being favored, and determining their place in the world. She likens her existence to a puzzle, striving to ascertain the placement of each piece and if she possesses all the elements. Penny has returned from the hospital and is being pampered, a situation Melody is entirely content with. Mrs. V connects Melody's Medi-Talker to the computer, prompting Melody to commence writing her autobiography for Miss Gordon's class. Her autobiography, titled Out of My Mind, begins with "I'm surrounded by thousands of words," coincidentally the opening words of this book.

Enjoying this summary?
Buy the book! (it's better)

People who recommended Out of My Mind

Lists that recommended Out of My Mind

Best Children's Books