Out of My Mind

Use these links to supplement and complement students’ reading of the work and to increase their overall enjoyment of literature. Challenge them to discern parallel themes, engage through visual and aural stimuli, and delve deeper into the thematic possibilities presented by the title.

Recommended Texts for Pairing

Out of My Heart by Sharon Draper

• Out of My Heart continues Melody’s story as she experiences her first trip alone during summer camp. Melody forges new friendships, has new experiences, and has her first crush. Melody continues to learn The Importance of Communication and grows in her journey of Self-Acceptance.
• a middle-grade novel that serves as the sequel to Sharon Draper’s Out of My Mind

Real by Carol Cujec and Peyton Goddard

• Charity is 13 years old, loves pizza, and has memorized a wide range of animal facts that she likes to remember in times of stress. She is non-speaking and on the Autism spectrum, and when she enters a public school, she discovers a new world of possibilities, conflict, and growth. Charity must Persevere in the Face of Prejudice and finds Self-Acceptance in her new friendships.
• a middle-grade novel inspired by co-author Peyton Goddard’s experiences

The View from Saturday by E. L. Konigsburg

• Mrs. Olinski is a sixth-grade teacher who is struggling to return to her classroom after a car accident took her husband’s life and left her paralyzed from the waist down. Mrs. Olinski faces pranks from students as she Perseveres in the Face of Prejudice and helps the students in her Academic Bowl team with their own struggles along the way.
• a middle-grade book of short stories that explores Self-Acceptance, grief, and life after loss
• The View from Saturday on SuperSummary

Planet Earth is Blue by Nicole Panteleakos

• Nova loves astronomy and is anxiously awaiting the Challenger launch scheduled in 1986. She’s also autistic and nonspeaking, and the story details her thoughts and life through letters to her older sister Bridget, who she believes will return to her.
• a historical fiction middle-grade novel of Perseverance in the Face of Prejudice and hope

Other Student Resources

“How to care for someone with communication difficulties”—NHS article

• This article from the National Health Service in the UK provides tips for communicating with people who cannot communicate through traditional means. This resource highlights the Importance of Communication and encourages Self-Acceptance through Toby’s story.
• Along with tips, this article includes a 10-minute video of Toby, a 34-year-old business owner with cerebral palsy, explaining how he communicates using an augmented alternative communications system.

An Interview with Sharon Draper discussing Out of My Mind and Out of My Heart

• Draper discusses the evolution of Melody’s story from Out of My Mind to Out of My Heart and how her story changes from the first book to the second.
• a 16-minute video that highlights developments in Melody’s story of Self-Acceptance and the Importance of Communication

Bullying and Children and Youth with Disabilities and Special Health Needs

• This fact sheet from stopbullying.gov reviews information and statistics specifically related to children with disabilities and bullying. The sheet lists statistics about children with disabilities and how often they are bullied, laws around bullying, and more.
• a three-page sheet with information about children with disabilities, the effects of bullying, how parents can help, and getting additional support

Teacher Resources

The Art of Inclusion tool from Inclusive School Communities

• This tool features tips and resources for teachers who want to encourage students to include others in the classroom. It features a list of ideas, questions to inspire critical thinking about how to inspire children to include others, and more.
• An article with helpful links and approaches to promoting inclusivity in the classroom.

Inclusive Education Research & Practice from the Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education

• This document reviews research into inclusive education practices in the classroom including increasing student engagement, individualized lessons, implementation of individualized education plans, and more.
• a 14-page document that reviews strategies and tips for teachers looking to increase inclusive educational practices in their teaching