This Thursday we are hosting Coretta Scott King award-winning author Sharon Draper at the store! She’ll be here to talk about the paperback release of her fantastic book, Out of My Mind. Several of us here at the store have read it and loved it and we recommend it to customers all the time. Now is a great time to pick up the book if you haven’t read it before (trust me, you want to), or if you’ve been a fan for awhile and want to ask Ms. Draper some questions. We’re really excited to have her!
The book centers on 11-year-old Melody, an incredibly smart girl with a photographic memory, who also happens to have cerebral palsy and is unable to speak for herself. Unfortunately, this leaves both teachers and her peers believing that she is functioning on a low level of learning, teaching her the same letters and numbers every day, rather than the math and history and science she loves and is perfectly capable of doing.
When Melody finally gets an electronic device that helps her speak, she’s able to communicate her thoughts and her intelligence to the world. She even earns a spot on her school’s quiz team, surprising everyone! The story follows Melody on her journey “out of her mind,” including the difficulties and triumphs she faces along the way.
It’s an amazing story of hope and perseverance and could be used as an excellent classroom tool by teachers. Come hear Sharon Draper talk about the book on Thursday, 5/10, from 6:30-7:30. Let us know you’re coming at 703-548-4092.
