# Out of My Mind

**Author:** Sharon M. Draper
**Lexile:** 700L
**Grade range:** Grades 4–7
**Age range:** 9–13
**First published:** 2010
**Page count:** 295
**Genre:** Middle Grade Fiction
**ISBN-13:** `9781416971719`
**ISBN-10:** `1416971718`
**Canonical URL:** https://readinglist.school/book/out-of-my-mind
**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — please credit ReadingList.school when citing.

## About this book

Melody, an 11-year-old with cerebral palsy and a photographic memory, cannot walk or speak but acquires a communication device and changes how her classmates see her. Draper's novel is widely assigned in 4th-6th grade disability-awareness units.

## Themes

- disability
- inclusion
- intelligence
- friendship
- family

## Content notes

- bullying
- ableism

Common Sense Media age recommendation: 10+

## Where this book is assigned

### Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award

- **recommended** · 6th grade · Ohio — [source: Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award — official winners list (Ohio, K-12 grade bands, voted biennially/annually since 1982)](https://bcbookaward.info/childrens-previous-nominees/)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Ohio — [source: Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award — official winners list (Ohio, K-12 grade bands, voted biennially/annually since 1982)](https://bcbookaward.info/childrens-previous-nominees/)

### California Young Reader Medal

- **recommended** · 4th grade · California — [source: California Young Reader Medal — statewide student-choice program sponsored by CRA, CSLA, CLA & CATE (Intermediate/Middle School/Young Adult divisions; annual since 1974)](https://californiayoungreadermedal.org/)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · California — [source: California Young Reader Medal — statewide student-choice program sponsored by CRA, CSLA, CLA & CATE (Intermediate/Middle School/Young Adult divisions; annual since 1974)](https://californiayoungreadermedal.org/)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · California — [source: California Young Reader Medal — statewide student-choice program sponsored by CRA, CSLA, CLA & CATE (Intermediate/Middle School/Young Adult divisions; annual since 1974)](https://californiayoungreadermedal.org/)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · California — [source: California Young Reader Medal — statewide student-choice program sponsored by CRA, CSLA, CLA & CATE (Intermediate/Middle School/Young Adult divisions; annual since 1974)](https://californiayoungreadermedal.org/)

### Common Core State Standards (ELA)

- **recommended** · 4th grade — [source: WeAreTeachers 2025 Summer Reading List — Middle Grades](https://www.weareteachers.com/summer-reading-list-for-kids/)
- **recommended** · 5th grade — [source: WeAreTeachers 2025 Summer Reading List — Middle Grades](https://www.weareteachers.com/summer-reading-list-for-kids/)
- **recommended** · 5th grade — [source: CCSS ELA Appendix B contemporary addition](https://achievethecore.org/page/2699)
- **recommended** · 6th grade — [source: WeAreTeachers 2025 Summer Reading List — Middle Grades](https://www.weareteachers.com/summer-reading-list-for-kids/)
- **recommended** · 6th grade — [source: CCSS ELA Appendix B, grades 6-8 exemplar](https://achievethecore.org/page/2699)
- **recommended** · 7th grade — [source: WeAreTeachers 2025 Summer Reading List — Middle Grades](https://www.weareteachers.com/summer-reading-list-for-kids/)

### Connecticut Nutmeg Book Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Connecticut — [source: Connecticut Library Association + Connecticut Association of School Librarians — Nutmeg Book Award (student-choice; Elementary/Intermediate/Middle/Teen; annual since 1993)](https://nutmegaward.org/)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Connecticut — [source: Connecticut Library Association + Connecticut Association of School Librarians — Nutmeg Book Award (student-choice; Elementary/Intermediate/Middle/Teen; annual since 1993)](https://nutmegaward.org/)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Connecticut — [source: Connecticut Library Association + Connecticut Association of School Librarians — Nutmeg Book Award (student-choice; Elementary/Intermediate/Middle/Teen; annual since 1993)](https://nutmegaward.org/)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Connecticut — [source: Connecticut Library Association + Connecticut Association of School Librarians — Nutmeg Book Award (student-choice; Elementary/Intermediate/Middle/Teen; annual since 1993)](https://nutmegaward.org/)

### Great Lakes Great Books Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Michigan — [source: Michigan Reading Association — Great Lakes Great Books Award (student-choice, grade-band shortlists; annual, since 1989). Winner/honor/nominee rolls Grades 4-5, 6-8, 9-12.](https://michiganreading.org/Great-Lakes-Great-Books)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Michigan — [source: Michigan Reading Association — Great Lakes Great Books Award (student-choice, grade-band shortlists; annual, since 1989). Winner/honor/nominee rolls Grades 4-5, 6-8, 9-12.](https://michiganreading.org/Great-Lakes-Great-Books)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Michigan — [source: Michigan Reading Association — Great Lakes Great Books Award (student-choice, grade-band shortlists; annual, since 1989). Winner/honor/nominee rolls Grades 4-5, 6-8, 9-12.](https://michiganreading.org/Great-Lakes-Great-Books)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Michigan — [source: Michigan Reading Association — Great Lakes Great Books Award (student-choice, grade-band shortlists; annual, since 1989). Winner/honor/nominee rolls Grades 4-5, 6-8, 9-12.](https://michiganreading.org/Great-Lakes-Great-Books)

### Great Stone Face Book Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · New Hampshire — [source: Children's Librarians of New Hampshire / NH Library Association — Great Stone Face Book Award (student-choice, grades 4-6; 20 nominees/year, annual since 1980). Winner + nominee rolls via the LibraryThing award/757 mirror of the official sponsor records.](https://www.librarything.com/award/757/Great-Stone-Face-Book-Award)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · New Hampshire — [source: Children's Librarians of New Hampshire / NH Library Association — Great Stone Face Book Award (student-choice, grades 4-6; 20 nominees/year, annual since 1980). Winner + nominee rolls via the LibraryThing award/757 mirror of the official sponsor records.](https://www.librarything.com/award/757/Great-Stone-Face-Book-Award)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · New Hampshire — [source: Children's Librarians of New Hampshire / NH Library Association — Great Stone Face Book Award (student-choice, grades 4-6; 20 nominees/year, annual since 1980). Winner + nominee rolls via the LibraryThing award/757 mirror of the official sponsor records.](https://www.librarything.com/award/757/Great-Stone-Face-Book-Award)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · New Hampshire — [source: Children's Librarians of New Hampshire / NH Library Association — Great Stone Face Book Award (student-choice, grades 4-6; 20 nominees/year, annual since 1980). Winner + nominee rolls via the LibraryThing award/757 mirror of the official sponsor records.](https://www.librarything.com/award/757/Great-Stone-Face-Book-Award)

### Land of Enchantment Book Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · New Mexico — [source: New Mexico State Library — Land of Enchantment Book Award winner/nominee lists (statewide children's-choice program; students vote, since 1981)](https://nmstatelibrary.org/land-of-enchantment-book-awards-40th-anniversary/)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · New Mexico — [source: New Mexico State Library — Land of Enchantment Book Award winner/nominee lists (statewide children's-choice program; students vote, since 1981)](https://nmstatelibrary.org/land-of-enchantment-book-awards-40th-anniversary/)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · New Mexico — [source: New Mexico State Library — Land of Enchantment Book Award winner/nominee lists (statewide children's-choice program; students vote, since 1981)](https://nmstatelibrary.org/land-of-enchantment-book-awards-40th-anniversary/)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · New Mexico — [source: New Mexico State Library — Land of Enchantment Book Award winner/nominee lists (statewide children's-choice program; students vote, since 1981)](https://nmstatelibrary.org/land-of-enchantment-book-awards-40th-anniversary/)

### Mark Twain Readers Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Missouri — [source: Mark Twain Readers Award winners (Missouri Association of School Librarians), via Wikipedia — 2013](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_Award)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Missouri — [source: Mark Twain Readers Award winners (Missouri Association of School Librarians), via Wikipedia — 2013](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_Award)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Missouri — [source: Mark Twain Readers Award winners (Missouri Association of School Librarians), via Wikipedia — 2013](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_Award)

### Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Maryland — [source: Maryland Association of School Librarians — Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (student-choice; grades 3-5, 4-6, 6-8, 6-9; annual since 1992)](https://www.maslmd.org/black-eyed-susan-book-award)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Maryland — [source: Maryland Association of School Librarians — Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (student-choice; grades 3-5, 4-6, 6-8, 6-9; annual since 1992)](https://www.maslmd.org/black-eyed-susan-book-award)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Maryland — [source: Maryland Association of School Librarians — Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (student-choice; grades 3-5, 4-6, 6-8, 6-9; annual since 1992)](https://www.maslmd.org/black-eyed-susan-book-award)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Maryland — [source: Maryland Association of School Librarians — Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (student-choice; grades 3-5, 4-6, 6-8, 6-9; annual since 1992)](https://www.maslmd.org/black-eyed-susan-book-award)

### Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award

- **recommended** · 6th grade · Minnesota — [source: Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award winners (Minnesota Youth Reading Awards / MYRA), via Goodreads award record — 2014](https://www.goodreads.com/award/show/39542-maud-hart-lovelace-award)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Minnesota — [source: Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award winners (Minnesota Youth Reading Awards / MYRA), via Goodreads award record — 2014](https://www.goodreads.com/award/show/39542-maud-hart-lovelace-award)
- **recommended** · 8th grade · Minnesota — [source: Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award winners (Minnesota Youth Reading Awards / MYRA), via Goodreads award record — 2014](https://www.goodreads.com/award/show/39542-maud-hart-lovelace-award)

### Missouri Mark Twain Readers Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Missouri — [source: Missouri Mark Twain Readers Award (Missouri Association of School Librarians) — winner list 1972-2025 via Wikipedia — 2013 Mark Twain Award winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_Award)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Missouri — [source: Missouri Mark Twain Readers Award (Missouri Association of School Librarians) — winner list 1972-2025 via Wikipedia — 2013 Mark Twain Award winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_Award)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Missouri — [source: Missouri Mark Twain Readers Award (Missouri Association of School Librarians) — winner list 1972-2025 via Wikipedia — 2013 Mark Twain Award winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_Award)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Missouri — [source: Missouri Mark Twain Readers Award (Missouri Association of School Librarians) — winner list 1972-2025 via Wikipedia — 2013 Mark Twain Award winner](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Twain_Award)

### Nevada Young Readers' Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Nevada — [source: Nevada Library Association — Nevada Young Readers' Award, Young Reader + Intermediate divisions (student-choice; annual since 1988)](https://nevadalibraries.org/nyra)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Nevada — [source: Nevada Library Association — Nevada Young Readers' Award, Young Reader + Intermediate divisions (student-choice; annual since 1988)](https://nevadalibraries.org/nyra)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Nevada — [source: Nevada Library Association — Nevada Young Readers' Award, Young Reader + Intermediate divisions (student-choice; annual since 1988)](https://nevadalibraries.org/nyra)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Nevada — [source: Nevada Library Association — Nevada Young Readers' Award, Young Reader + Intermediate divisions (student-choice; annual since 1988)](https://nevadalibraries.org/nyra)

### North Dakota Flicker Tale Children's Book Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · North Dakota — [source: North Dakota Library Association — Flicker Tale Children's Book Award (student-choice; annual since 1978; Juvenile/Chapter + Intermediate + Older-Reader divisions); winner roll 1978-2025](https://ndla.info/Flicker-Tale-Past-Winners)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · North Dakota — [source: North Dakota Library Association — Flicker Tale Children's Book Award (student-choice; annual since 1978; Juvenile/Chapter + Intermediate + Older-Reader divisions); winner roll 1978-2025](https://ndla.info/Flicker-Tale-Past-Winners)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · North Dakota — [source: North Dakota Library Association — Flicker Tale Children's Book Award (student-choice; annual since 1978; Juvenile/Chapter + Intermediate + Older-Reader divisions); winner roll 1978-2025](https://ndla.info/Flicker-Tale-Past-Winners)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · North Dakota — [source: North Dakota Library Association — Flicker Tale Children's Book Award (student-choice; annual since 1978; Juvenile/Chapter + Intermediate + Older-Reader divisions); winner roll 1978-2025](https://ndla.info/Flicker-Tale-Past-Winners)

### Utah Beehive Book Award (Children's Fiction)

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Utah — [source: Children's Literature Association of Utah (CLAU) — Beehive Book Award, Children's Fiction division (student-choice; annual since 1980)](https://clau.org/)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Utah — [source: Children's Literature Association of Utah (CLAU) — Beehive Book Award, Children's Fiction division (student-choice; annual since 1980)](https://clau.org/)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Utah — [source: Children's Literature Association of Utah (CLAU) — Beehive Book Award, Children's Fiction division (student-choice; annual since 1980)](https://clau.org/)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Utah — [source: Children's Literature Association of Utah (CLAU) — Beehive Book Award, Children's Fiction division (student-choice; annual since 1980)](https://clau.org/)

### Volunteer State Book Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Tennessee — [source: Tennessee Library Association — Volunteer State Book Award, Intermediate (gr 4-6) + Middle School (gr 6-8) divisions (student-choice; since 1979); past-winners roll](https://sites.google.com/view/volunteer-state-book-award/past-winners)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Tennessee — [source: Tennessee Library Association — Volunteer State Book Award, Intermediate (gr 4-6) + Middle School (gr 6-8) divisions (student-choice; since 1979); past-winners roll](https://sites.google.com/view/volunteer-state-book-award/past-winners)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Tennessee — [source: Tennessee Library Association — Volunteer State Book Award, Intermediate (gr 4-6) + Middle School (gr 6-8) divisions (student-choice; since 1979); past-winners roll](https://sites.google.com/view/volunteer-state-book-award/past-winners)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Tennessee — [source: Tennessee Library Association — Volunteer State Book Award, Intermediate (gr 4-6) + Middle School (gr 6-8) divisions (student-choice; since 1979); past-winners roll](https://sites.google.com/view/volunteer-state-book-award/past-winners)

### Young Hoosier Book Award

- **recommended** · 4th grade · Indiana — [source: Indiana Library Federation — Young Hoosier Book Award Past Winners (Intermediate grades 4-6 + Middle Grade grades 6-8; annual since 1975)](https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.ilfonline.org/resource/resmgr/yhba/yhba_pastwinners.pdf)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Indiana — [source: Indiana Library Federation — Young Hoosier Book Award Past Winners (Intermediate grades 4-6 + Middle Grade grades 6-8; annual since 1975)](https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.ilfonline.org/resource/resmgr/yhba/yhba_pastwinners.pdf)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Indiana — [source: Indiana Library Federation — Young Hoosier Book Award Past Winners (Intermediate grades 4-6 + Middle Grade grades 6-8; annual since 1975)](https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.ilfonline.org/resource/resmgr/yhba/yhba_pastwinners.pdf)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Indiana — [source: Indiana Library Federation — Young Hoosier Book Award Past Winners (Intermediate grades 4-6 + Middle Grade grades 6-8; annual since 1975)](https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.ilfonline.org/resource/resmgr/yhba/yhba_pastwinners.pdf)

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