“I like this book because it shows how people like Melody are really feeling.” This was my fifth grader’s observation when we were reading this book aloud and it’s the perfect testimonial for this New York Times bestseller.
Melody is 11 years old and narrates her personal story about what it’s like to have cerebral palsy. She is extremely smart, but because she’s unable to speak she is schooled much below her grade level. Melody feels very trapped and sometimes her frustrations lead to what she calls her “tornado explosions.” Her story takes a turn when her college-age aide, Catherine, helps her discover a life-changing device that gives her a voice. Equipped with this technology, she stuns her teachers and peers as she expresses her wealth of bottled-up knowledge and vies for a coveted spot on the school’s quiz competition team.
Melody’s determination to overcome her obstacles is inspiring, and the first-person perspective is very eye opening. Parents may find the book sparks some good family discussions about empathy.
Mom, which book is next? 
Will really enjoyed this book, his teacher read it aloud in class last year.🙂
Sent from my iPhone
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So great to hear! Thank you for following me!
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I like reading books that shine a light into the lives of characters with disabilities and I’ve been wanting to read this one for quite some time. I found ‘Stuck in Neutral’ by Terry Trueman very compelling when I was a teenager, but this one sounds a lot less depressing. Cool review! 🙂
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