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Out of My Mind Audiobook, by Sharon M. Draper Play Audiobook Sample

Out of My Mind Audiobook

Out of My Mind Audiobook, by Sharon M. Draper Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Sisi Aisha Johnson Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 4.50 hours at 1.5x Speed 3.38 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: March 2016 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781508222460

Other Audiobooks Written by Sharon M. Draper: > View All...

Publisher Description

A New York Times bestseller for three years and counting!

“A gutsy, candid, and compelling story. It speaks volumes.” —School Library Journal (starred review)

“Unflinching and realistic.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

From award-winning author Sharon Draper comes a story that will forever change how we all look at anyone with a disability, perfect for fans of RJ Palacio’s Wonder.

Eleven-year-old Melody is not like most people. She can’t walk. She can’t talk. She can’t write. All because she has cerebral palsy. But she also has a photographic memory; she can remember every detail of everything she has ever experienced. She’s the smartest kid in her whole school, but NO ONE knows it. Most people—her teachers, her doctors, her classmates—dismiss her as mentally challenged because she can’t tell them otherwise. But Melody refuses to be defined by her disability. And she’s determined to let everyone know it…somehow.

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"Melody is a brillant eleven year old girl trapped in a body that does not work. Born with cerebral palsy, she struggles daily with her life that others have no way of understanding. Her story will capture you from page one as she explains how easy it is for her to learn. Words fill her head, but she has no way of sharing any of her thoughts. Passionate about colors, she embeds them in descriptions thoughout her story and uses them to describe her moods. She is candid about her frustrations of restriction and isolation. "When people look at me, I guess they see a girl with short, dark, curly hair strapped into a pink wheelchair. By the way,there is nothing cute about a pink wheelchair. Pink doesn't change a thing." When Melody finally acquires a voice through a Medi-Talker computer, the world of communication is wide open. Unfortunately, it does fix everything. Draper has painted a beautiful picture that will make you see a new red, green, black, and grey and never see the world around you the same. An engaging read all the way to its powerful ending."

— L13_Natasha (5 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “This powerful story…offers a wrenching insight into so many vital lives that the able-bodied overlook.”

    — Denver Post
  • “Melody discovers that her inner strength and intelligence are more reliable than most of the humans around her. She becomes an activist for herself.”

    — Columbus Dispatch
  • “This long-overdue audio narration of Draper’s 2010 middle grade novel is a breakout performance for voice actress Johnson, who skillfully brings together childlike sensitivity and grown-up gravitas as she gives life to Draper’s character Melody Brooks…Older children and their parents will enjoy the way Johnson brings life to this unforgettable character.”

    — Publishers Weekly (starred audio review)
  • “Kids will benefit from being introduced to Melody and her gutsy, candid, and compelling story.”

    — School Library Journal (starred review)
  • “The authenticity of the story is obvious…This highly readable, compelling novel quickly establishes [Melody’s] determination and intelligence and the almost insurmountable challenges she faces…For upper-elementary students yet also a story that will enlighten and resonate with teens and adults.”

    — Booklist (starred review)
  • “Narrator Sisi Aisha Johnson puts eleven-year-old Melody’s active mind and vivacious personality front and center…Johnson is expressive and works well with accents, creating distinct voices that round out the personalities that surround Melody…Particularly good for family listening.”

    — AudioFile

Awards

  • A New York Times Bestseller
  • A Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Book for Children and Teens
  • A Parents' Choice Award Silver Medalist
  • Winner of the 2012 Beehive Award for Fiction
  • Winner of the California Young Reader Medal
  • Winner of the 2012 Young Hoosier Book Award
  • Winner of the Flicker Tale Children’s Book Award for 2013
  • Second Place Winner for the Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award
  • Winner of the 2014 Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award
  • Nominee for the Nene Award for Children's Fiction
  • Nominated for the 2013 Sequoyah Book Award
  • Nominated for the 2012 Texas Bluebonnet Award
  • Nominee for the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award
  • Finalist for the Indies Choice Award for Young Adult Fiction
  • A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2016

Out of My Mind Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.617647058823529 out of 54.617647058823529 out of 54.617647058823529 out of 54.617647058823529 out of 54.617647058823529 out of 5 (4.62)
5 Stars: 21
4 Stars: 13
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 (4.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 1
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 (5.00)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — Annie Vega, 1/21/2023
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is a super book. It is told from the perspective of a girl with Cerebral Palsy, whose body does not work but whose brain is extremely smart. She is not able to talk but ends up getting a machine to help her, and her life changes in many ways once she has that machine. She learns many lessons and she teaches many lessons to others who do not understand her disabilities. This book gives wonderful perspective to able-bodied people like me to be more sensitive, and less surprised at the extreme abilities of seemingly disabled people. "

    — Elizabeth, 2/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Great for middle school literature circles. "

    — Julianna, 2/5/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This was one of the saddest books I've ever read but one I will never forget. "

    — Nancy, 1/30/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " this was a good touching book that was very sad in the end. I couldn't stop reading this book. It had really good characters and a few intense cliffhangers that really had me on the edge of my seat! 4 out of 5 stars because i think there should have been more at the end. "

    — Caelum, 1/22/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " The book was really enjoyable and was easy to read. I liked the character, and it had a pretty good plot. "

    — Patrickl, 1/22/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This should be required reading for every teacher! "

    — Nicole, 1/16/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Pounded through this in a single airplane ride. I know I would have loved this as a kid and I loved it as an adult too. Kind of painful, though. "

    — Janssen, 1/16/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Out of My Mind is great book with wonderful characterization that really makes the reader question how they treat other people. The main character Melody is such a strong girl and her story is captivating. "

    — Elizabeth, 1/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Really sheds a new light on things. Makes you really think that sometimes poor behavior from special Education children are warranted. I am thinking through a new set of eyes about it. "

    — Brandy, 12/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book was very touching and even made me cry! "

    — Thalia, 12/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I don't read young adult books very often but the saleperson at B & N highly recommended it for my daughter and said I should read it also. Fantastic book!!! My daughter loved it as well. "

    — Bernadette, 12/11/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Great book about a multi-handicapped that shows her friends in some heartbreaking ways that inside she is just as smart, if not smarter, than they are. Causes teachers and students to look at their special friends in a whole new light. "

    — Vici, 12/7/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I love the book. It makes you feel emotions that we cant feel. I mean, kids actually live like this. I love the ending it makes you feel a variety of feelings too "

    — alexs, 11/22/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I love the book. It makes you feel emotions that we cant feel. I mean, kids actually live like this. I love the ending it makes you feel a variety of feelings too "

    — alexs, 11/22/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Read because my daughter read it and ended up loving it! "

    — Rebecca, 10/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Excellent. A must read!! "

    — Jill, 8/5/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Should be required reading for all teachers. "

    — Mbrooke, 4/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A must read! I laughed, I cried, I was angry, I was frustrated, and I had to wonder how often I, as a teacher, had underestimated my ELL students because they couldn't communicate with me all that they know due to a language barrier. A most excellent story! "

    — Patty, 3/22/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " unique voice "

    — Alexandria, 12/6/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " One of the best books I have ever read! An emotional rollercoaster! "

    — Cassandra, 11/25/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Read this at the request of my daughter, and very glad I did. Wonderful narrative that evokes a spectrum of emotion and really makes you think. Four stars instead of five only because I thought it ended a little too abruptly - felt a bit unfinished. "

    — Rob, 4/22/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Interesting look at what life would be like if you were trapped without words. Observing how society can treat those we perceive as being handicapped. "

    — Moira, 11/30/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Main character is 100, and has cerebral palsy: She cannot walk, talk, feed herself, etc. Parts are incredibly sad, but there's a lot of happy parts too, as the character makes it from the special ed class into some regular classes where she meets non-handicapped students, makes friends, etc. "

    — Bill, 11/2/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Amazingly inspirational story about Melody. Great summer read for any educator. "

    — A.m.a, 8/19/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A great book for a teacher to read....and a great book for students. "

    — Karen, 5/24/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Simple read. For those of us in special education who work with non-verbal students, a must read. Provides good food for thought. "

    — Glenda, 5/23/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Read this for my daughter's 3rd grade book club. Can't wait to hear what the girls think about it. "

    — Jodi, 5/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A book that should be read by every teacher to every class. Wow.<br/> "

    — Kathy, 5/19/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " omg if i could read this over and over again and get the same thrill as i did the first time i would. i read this book 2 times and loved it! i am &quot;out of my mind&quot; because this book is the best script of words since Edgar Allen Poe! "

    — Hannah, 5/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I was a bit disappointed in the ending. I wanted Melody to be more vindicated, but I suppose that would have been too cliche. "

    — Katelynn, 5/14/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Really poignant. Love this book. This book really makes you appreciate what you have and realize that you've been taking a lot for granted. "

    — Kate, 5/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I think this book was really, really, REALLY good. I love the fact that the girl is so super smart. I stayed up late finishing it (school night) and I really, truly loved it. "

    — Mom&amp;daughter, 5/6/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Book is great, and most talks about a little girl, who is born as the smallest thing you would ever see. She can not talk, walk, or move. With that she can not write. All of this makes the book interesting and a reader eager to keep reading. "

    — Lakenzwa, 5/3/2011

About Sharon M. Draper

Sharon M. Draper is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous novels who has received the Coretta Scott King Award for both Copper Sun and Forged by Fire. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she taught high school English for twenty-five years and was named National Teacher of the Year. 

About Sisi Aisha Johnson

Sisi Johnson is “a storyteller for a storyteller’s story.” From folksy to urban, her warm blend of bite and sweetness wrapped in an accessible narration style sets the right tone in such award winning books as Francie and Feathers, and notable books like Romiette & Julio, for which she received the AudioFile Earphones Award, and Dr. Mr. President: Letter from a Slave Girl, for which she was selected to be an Audie Award finalist. A long time resident of New York City, she now resides in Los Angeles and happily travels between the two amazing metropolises.