Tuesday, September 7, 2021

Out of My Heart by Sharon Draper - ADVISABLE

Out of My Heart
by Sharon Draper,
352 pages. Atheneum (Simon and Schuster), November 2021. $19
 
Content: G. 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

12 yo Melody is one of the smartest girls her age, but at first sight people don't know that - Melody is in a wheel chair and needs help to do almost everything. Last year she was on the Quiz Kids team at school, but now it's summer vacation and Melody is ready to try something new - like Summer Camp! With the help of her librarian, Melody researches camps for kids with special needs and find one still accepting campers and it's only 2 hours away! Both excited and worried, Melody finds herself sharing a cabin with 3 other girls and 4 counselors (each camper has their own) in a place designed especially for kids like her. But is she brave enough to try everything, like swimming, ziplining and even horseback riding? 

I loved seeing Melody making friends with other kids who get it, and being given the opportunity to not be constrained by limitations for the first time in her life.  While not as gripping as book 1, I found myself spending a day at camp with Melody, knowing she was well cared for and enjoyed seeing how regular experiences were accommodated for a special needs camper.   A wonderful companion/sequel to "Out of My Mind" which was originally published in 2010, so this is a great time to update your shelves and buy both books. 

Lisa Librarian

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