“We all have disabilities. What’s yours?” This is one of the most profound and truthful quotes from the amazing, Out of My Mind novel by Sharon M. Draper. I loved this book so much. It made me cry with joy, but it also broke my heart with how cruel humans can be. I also loved how the author brought it to a close in an unexpected way. I think your students will love it just as much, and encourage them to think about how they treat one another, especially those who are different than they are. This novel is a great book to use in the classroom, and I can’t recommend it enough!
Out of My Mind was first published in 2010, by the award-winning, Sharon M. Draper. It is the story of Melody, a fifth-grader who has Cerebral Palsy. Melody has always felt that she is trapped in her mind without a door or a key because she is not able to talk and communicate all that is in her genius, photographic mind.
As Melody is “let out of her mind” with the help of an electric wheelchair, technology, and school aides, she shows everyone how much was trapped within her for all these years. It is an inspiring story that stays true to the realities of just how cruel fifth-graders (and ignorant adults) can be when dealing with someone they don’t understand or have experiences with.
Why Out of My Mind is a great book to use in a novel study.
Contains an Engaging Plot: The plot is engaging and will keep readers interested from start to finish. The story is not only emotionally compelling, but it also highlights the importance of inclusivity and empathy. As a result, it is an excellent book to study in the classroom as it can generate meaningful discussions.
Strong Character Development: The main character Melody is a complex character with depth and dimension. As readers follow her journey, they will witness her growth and development as she navigates the challenges of living with a disability. Her story is relatable, and readers will find themselves rooting for her.
Use of Literary Devices: Out of My Mind is rich with literary devices such as metaphors, similes, and imagery. The author also uses repetition and alliteration to create a rhythmic flow to the story. The use of these devices makes the book an excellent teaching tool for literary analysis and creative writing.
Social Issues/Inclusivity: The novel addresses social issues such as inclusivity and empathy towards people with disabilities. The story challenges readers to think about how society treats individuals with disabilities and how we can make the world more inclusive for everyone. The book also touches on themes of perseverance, acceptance, and self-discovery.
Accessibility to All Readers: The language used in the book is straightforward and easy to understand. It is accessible to readers of all levels, making it an excellent choice for younger readers or readers who are new to English.
Try a free sample of the novel study for Out of My Mind
Out of My Mind should be a must-read for every fifth-grader to help enhance empathy and understanding for those different from us. We should all face the question, “We all have disabilities. What’s yours?” The engaging plot, complex characters, literary devices, social issues, and accessibility make it a perfect choice for a novel study, or to have in your classroom library.
I offer a complete novel studyto accompany Out of My Mind for use in the classroom or homeschool. The unit includes both a printable format and a Google Drive™ format for use in a paperless classroom or with Google Classroom. It is a great book to use in your classroom or homeschool for a whole class novel study, small book groups, or individual book studies.
You can purchase this novel study at the following locations:
Are you interested in reading about and sharing ideas with other educators on using children’s literature in your classroom? My goal is to bring together teachers and homeschoolers who teach grades 3-8 and use novels with their students. I’d love for you to join me to learn, share, and grow together!
A friend recently suggested a new book to me, Wishtree by Katherine Applegate. Katherine Applegate is the author of the beloved book, The One and Only Ivan, which I absolutely adore so I went straight to Amazon to purchase and I am so glad I did!
You first realize this book is narrated by a tree. A tree? Doesn’t sound super exciting, but it really is. The story is written in such a beautifully poetic way and how the author ties current events is mesmerizing and thought-provoking. The reader is left with a lot to contemplate about how we treat others, especially those that are different than ourselves.
Click the book photo to learn more about this book and to read an excerpt.
These lessons are so needed in classrooms today. This book is sure to hook any reader and make them think and philosophize. I highly recommend using this in your classroom!
Wishtree is a novel that can serve as a valuable novel study resource.
Wishtree promotes empathy and encourages readers to see the world from different perspectives.
Wishtree tackles important social issues such as discrimination and tolerance, making it an educational tool for teaching these concepts.
Wishtree is written in a captivating and engaging style that holds the reader’s attention and keeps them invested in the story.
Using Wishtree as a novel study will help improve reading comprehension and critical thinking skills.
Try a free sample of the novel study for Wishtree
You can purchase this novel study which contains both a printable and a Google Drive™ format at the following locations:
Are you interested in reading about and sharing ideas with other educators on using children’s literature in your classroom? My goal is to bring together teachers and homeschoolers who teach grades 3-8 and use novels with their students. I’d love for you to join me to learn, share, and grow together!
In 2010, Sharon Draper brought Melody to life in Out of My Mind. Melody is a young girl whose mind is full of curiosity and vast amounts of information but Cerebral Palsy makes it difficult for her to participate and communicate with her classmates and peers. Out of My Mind helps the reader look at disabilities and accessibility in a different way. Now, over a decade later, Sharon M. Draper has brought Melody back to us. Melody is now a year older and on the cusp of her teenage years. Melody is looking for the independence and experiences that all girls her age strive for. Out of My Heart is the tale of Melody’s pursuits of these experiences at summer camp.
Meet author Sharon M. Draper as she reads an excerpt from her new novel, Out of My Heart.
This novel helps the reader look at more experiences and roadblocks that kids living with disabilities face. At camp, Melody makes friends with different kids her age who face similar and different challenges. Melody finds camaraderie and true friendship with kids that can really relate, all while facing fears of trying new challenges. Melody’s world is opened up, as are the reader’s eyes, as they experience the challenges of accessibility that are out there for kids like Melody.
From the Book Jacket:
Melody faces her fears to follow her passion in this stunning sequel to the acclaimed, New York Times bestselling middle-grade novel Out of My Mind.
Melody, the huge-hearted heroine of Out of My Mind, is a year older, and a year braver. And now with her Medi-talker, she feels nothing’s out of her reach, not even summer camp. There have to be camps for differently-abled kids like her, and she’s going to sleuth one out. A place where she can trek through a forest, fly on a zip line, and even ride on a horse! A place where maybe she really can finally make a real friend, make her own decisions, and even do things on her own—the dream!
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’s about to discover how brave and strong she really is.
Try a free sample of the novel study for Out of My Heart
Take your students on this new journey to camp with Melody. Your students will see themselves while they learn about the challenges that are faced every day by those living with disabilities. This helps open eyes and builds empathy to help students strive to make experiences in life accessible to all.
I offer a complete novel study to accompany Out of My Heart, which includes informational WebQuests to learn more about Cerebral Palsy and Down Syndrome for use in the classroom or in homeschool. The unit includes both a printable format and a Google Drive™ format for use in a paperless classroom or with Google Classroom.
You can purchase this novel study at the following locations:
You can also buy Out of My Mind and Out of My Heart bundled together at a discount!
Are you interested in reading about and sharing ideas with other educators on using children’s literature in your classroom? My goal is to bring together teachers and homeschoolers who teach grades 3-8 and use novels with their students. I’d love for you to join me to learn, share, and grow together!
What if you had a second chance to be a better person? That is the singular question in Gordon Korman’s novel, Restart. Chase Ambrose was a classic bully. A bully of the worst kind who terrorized fellow classmates and adults alike and who always seemed to get away with it, until…
Restart is a great novel to use in your classroom to address bullying issues and really help students think about how their actions affect others and ultimately themselves.
Restart was published in 2017 so it is a fresh and modern book that students can easily relate to.
From the book jacket:
Chase’s memory just went out the window.
Chase doesn’t remember falling off the roof. He doesn’t remember hitting his head. He doesn’t, in fact, remember anything. He wakes up in a hospital room and suddenly has to learn his whole life all over again . . . starting with his own name.
He knows he’s Chase. But who is Chase? When he gets back to school, he sees that different kids have very different reactions to his return.
Some kids treat him like a hero. Some kids are clearly afraid of him. One girl, in particular, is so angry with him that she pours her frozen yogurt on his head the first chance she gets.
Pretty soon, it’s not only a question of who Chase is–it’s a question of who he was . . . and who he’s going to be.
Restart is a great book that really helps kids think about how their actions affect others and how this affects their reputation for the long haul. It’s a good resource to use for bullying prevention activities that aren’t preachy and will help students see their own character and help them want to “restart” themselves down the right and kind path.
I offer a full novel study for Restart that you can use with a whole class, small book groups, or individual students. It is easily adaptable and contains both a printable option and a Google Drive™ option.
You can purchase this novel study at the following locations:
Are you interested in reading about and sharing ideas with other educators on using children’s literature in your classroom? My goal is to bring together teachers and homeschoolers who teach grades 3-8 and use novels with their students. I’d love for you to join me to learn, share, and grow together!
Newbery award-winning Betsy Byars is a legend for writing books that get to the nitty-gritty of tween/teen inner anxiety. The 18th Emergency is one of her classics that deal with how to survive the class bully. It is a great book to use in your classroom or homeschool for a whole class novel study, small book groups, or individual book studies.
The 18th Emergency was first published way back in 1973, even though so much time has passed the problem of dealing with bullies endures. Your students will get a chuckle out of some of the dated content in the age of TV without remotes before the internet and cordless phones. The core of the story is modern though, the small, anxiety-filled kid who tries to stay under the radar makes a mistake and the consequences are threats from the class bully, Marv Hammerman.
From the Book Jacket:
So what if Benjie “Mouse” Fawley likes practical jokes? He’s a good kid who never meant to harm anyone. The same cannot be said for Marv Hammerman, a boy in Benjie’s middle school who is as big as a high-schooler but has the temper of a two-year-old. When Benjie (in a fit of insanity) writes a joke about Marv for all to see, he soon realizes he’s stumbled into the biggest emergency he’s ever faced. Now Benjie must decide whether to stay at school and face a clobbering, or run off and live the rest of his life hiding in the woods. The 18th Emergency is a hilarious account of the trials of surviving the school bully.
Try a free sample of the novel study for The 18th Emergency
Students of all kinds can find something to relate to in this book. Byars doesn’t give us the “happily ever after” ending we find so often when the underdog triumphs and the bully learns the error of their ways. Instead, Byars does what she does best and sticks to a more realistic ending, one that students can relate to and identify with and at the same time leave them laughing with Benjie and all his emergency scenarios.
I offer a complete novel study to accompany The 18th Emergency for use in the classroom or homeschool. The unit includes both a printable format and a Google Drive™ format for use in a paperless classroom or with Google Classroom.
You can purchase this novel study at the following locations:
Are you interested in reading about and sharing ideas with other educators on using children’s literature in your classroom? My goal is to bring together teachers and homeschoolers who teach grades 3-8 and use novels with their students. I’d love for you to join me to learn, share, and grow together!
