Author writes inspiring story of little girl who refuses to let cerebral palsy define her
Fans have waited over 10 years for the sequel to “Out of My Mind,” and now they will know what happens to Melody after the events of the original novel.
Sharon Draper, author, joined us today to discuss her latest novel, “Out of My Heart.”
This is the highly anticipated sequel to Sharon Draper’s beloved, award-winning novel, “Out of My Mind” (2010), about a brilliant 11-year-old girl who will not let cerebral palsy (a disorder that affects the body’s ability to control its movements) define her.
In “Out of My Mind,” we met Melody Brooks, whose brain works lightspeed ahead of most kids, but who cannot keep up physically; her only way of communicating is with a communication board. Her utter refusal to let her physicality hold her back has inspired countless readers around the world, and over the years, Sharon has received thousands of letters about her many books, but kids most often ask: what happens to Melody after Out of My Mind? Out of My Heart is her response to those readers yearning for more of Melody’s impactful story.
In “Out of My Heart,” Melody is a year older (and braver) and takes the next step towards independence by attending summer camp for the first time. Melody is all alone at the camp, which is designed for children with disabilities. Melody must confront her fears to follow her passion. By the light of flickering campfires and the power of thunderstorms, through the terror of unexpected creatures in cabins and the first sparkle of a crush, Melody is about to discover how brave and strong she really is.
Sharon M. Draper Bio:
She is a New York Times bestselling author and a recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award honoring her significant and lasting contribution to writing for teens. She has received the Coretta Scott King Award for both Copper Sun and Forged by Fire, and was awarded the Charlotte Huck Award for Stella by Starlight. Her novel Out of My Mind has won multiple awards and was a New York Times bestseller for over four years, and Blended has also been a New York Times bestseller. She taught high school English for twenty-five years and was named National Teacher of the Year. She currently resides in Florida. Visit her at SharonDraper.com. Twitter: @sharonmdraper, @simonteen, Instagram: @sharonmdraper, @simonteen