Running Head: BOOK ANALYSIS

BOOK ANALYSIS

Name of the Student

Name of the University

Author’s note
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Book Analysis

Books are an amazing medium to convey concepts and express the most inward

thoughts of an individual. Similarly, it is also serves as a platform for the ones who cannot

convey their thoughts to let the world know how they feel without having to speak. Out of my

mind, by Draper is such a novel which allows its readers to feel the pain and understand the

conditions of a differently-abled child. Along with the factors of pain, it also opens our eyes

towards the fact that such individuals are at par with “normal” individuals and all they require

is a bit of a push in the appropriate direction. Thus, this paper provides a wholesome analysis

on the novel and also evaluates the reviews of several esteemed scholars on the same.

The book is a very well scripted and follows a cohesive flow while projecting the

confined state of a teen. The flow of the story enables us to relate and understand the

problems and the helplessness felt by melody. It makes one dread the confined state of one’s

own mind. Apart from the protagonist, the book also shows how being in the vicinity of a

disabled entity takes a toll on his near and dear ones and how the same in turn affects the

person in question (Draper). The book is well received by the readers as they are able to

connect to the story because the journey that it narrates is done in a very realistic sense and

true human feelings such as anger, jealousy and frustration are borne by the character. It also

shows how disability is handled in the normal sphere and how such measures are perceived

by the characters in question. The most amazing part about the book was the part when

Melody received her medi-talker and could finally voice her opinions through the medium of

her thumbs (Draper). It showed that in life, no matter how hard the going gets, everyone has

something to look forward to.

Draper has instilled realistic characters throughout the course if the book which adds

more towards its credibility. As Lukens, Smith and Coffell mentioned each of the characters
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have their own place to play and are accordingly evolving through the course of the novel.

Interestingly, they are accordingly classified into flat, round, dynamic and static characters

(Lukens et al.). All of the characters portrayed in the book are deeply rooted to the plot as

well as the main character. The book is consistent with its character evaluation as Melody as

a protagonist is shown as a round character with her disability in one corner and her

willingness to do rise above it and having an eidetic memory in the other. She is just unable

to progress dude to her disability. Her mother, Diane Brooks can also be considered to be a

round character due to the multi-faceted trait bank of being a doting mother and a nurse who

believes that her daughter has so much potential and drives melody towards it. Melody’s

sister Penny can be considered as a dynamic character due the changes that can be seen in her

over the years and her class mates Molly and North are the perfect examples of static

characters who are contributing to the plot while not changing much overtime.

The characters that I could very well connect was to the protagonist, Melody Brooks

and her mother Diane Brooks as both of them have their own set of struggles and do not seem

to be giving up on either of them even under pressing circumstances. The metaphorical state

of confinement used by Draper is the spine of the story and that I feel that without it, the story

would sink into the clichéd plot of an individual rising from his/her disability. Melody even

with her ability to talk has a plethora of ideas and has a bright mind. In addition to that, Diane

as a mother as well as a mother recognized the hidden potential in her daughter and tried her

level best to bring the same out in the open. I feel that without the effort put in by Diane,

Melody would not have achieved her maximum potential all on her own. Additionally, both

the characters are symbolic of round characters with their ever changing depiction of feelings

of hopelessness to setting a heart on achieving it all even with their significant drawbacks.

Although this book by Sharon Draper is intended for the young audience, it lacks the

sugar-coating and the element of fairytale. In contrast to the same, it presets elements of new-
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realism that is intended to provide the budding readers with the element of “realistic views of

life” (Hintz et al.). The concept of new-realism was hugely popularised by Hintz and

Tribunella which dictated the use of life-like unforgiving situations to emboss in the book to

provide a clearer concept on the perception of life for our young readers. Out of my mind too

reflects this particular genre as it depicts instances of pain, helplessness and hidden strength

rather than entirely happy and magical moments. Incorporating this sort of literature in

children’s curriculum can be highly beneficial to them as it enables them in understanding

life in general and how and what feelings and emotions come into play while dealing with a

variety of circumstances (Hintz et al.).

In summation, Draper’s novel is just not an enticing read but a literary tool that can

aid in young adults grasp the concept of disability and life a little better. Normally, in

children’s novels one can see that the world concepts are always about gay and glittery

mechanisms but Draper forgoes the traditional method and takes the approach attested by

Hintz and Tribunella and takes a more realistic approach towards her narration. Literature of

this sort can be a life-changing read for many and can also instil feelings of motivation and

can cultivate the will power to do better in life for the young readers. Draper’s storytelling

style may enhance one’s perception of life and aid in the preparation of what is to come in

their future.
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Works Cited

Draper, Sharon M. Out of My Mind. Thorndike Press, a Part of Gale, a Centage Company,
2019.

“Fantasy and Realism.” Reading Children's Literature: a Critical Introduction, by Carrie

Hintz and Eric L. Tribunella, Broadview Press, 2019.

Lukens, Rebecca J., et al. A Critical Handbook of Children's Literature. Pearson, 2013.