And although Melody is not Wendy, the authenticity of the story is obvious. Draper knows of what she writes her daughter, Wendy, has cerebral palsy, too. A brilliant person is trapped inside her body, determined to make her mark in the world in spite of her physical limitations. Although she is unable to walk, talk, or feed or care for herself, she can read, think, and feel. It speaks volumes and reveals the quiet strength and fortitude it takes to overcome disabilities and the misconceptions that go with them.'School Library JournalSTARRED REVIEW, *Fifth-grader Melody has cerebral palsy, a condition that affects her body but not her mind. Kids will benefit from being introduced to Melody and her gutsy, candid, and compelling story. Then something happens that causes her to miss the finals, and she is devastated by her classmates' actions. She learns the strength of thumbs as she taps on a special keyboard that finally lets her "talk." When she is transitioned into the regular classroom, Melody's undeniable contribution enables her class to make it to the national quiz team finals. Her supportive family sets her up with a computer. She is mainly placed in the special-ed classroom where education means being babysat in a room with replayed cartoons and nursery tunes. Pitted against her is the "normal" world: schools with limited resources, cliquish girls, superficial assumptions, and her own disability. In her court are family, good neighbors, and an attentive student teacher. She's not complaining, though she's planning and fighting the odds. She will never sing or dance, talk on the phone, or whisper secrets to her friends. Her world is enhanced by insight and intellect, but gypped by physical limitations and misunderstandings. She is a brilliant fifth grader trapped in an uncontrollable body. &Kirkus STARRED REVIEW, *Born with cerebral palsy, Melody, 10, has never spoken a word. She becomes an activist for herself, even as Draper challenges those who read her story to become activists for those who are different." -The Columbus Dispatch, Unflinching and realistic.Rich in details of both the essential normalcy and the difficulties of a young person with cerebral palsy. BULLETIN, March 1, 2010, "Like Stephen Hawking, who becomes her hero, Melody discovers that her inner strength and intelligence are more reliable than most of the humans around her. Draper is a master of melodrama, though, and Melody's story certainly doesn't lack that she may not be a particularly believable character, but she's an interesting one, and her plight will do its work of making students think twice about their classmates, acquaintances, and siblings with special needs. Melody's school experiences are somewhat anachronistic, and her classmates are little more than a collection of clichÉs, from the special needs kids who are unfailingly kind and noble to the normal kids who are outspokenly rude. The drama is overplayed, though, with Melody's abilities implausibly superlative. The premise of Melody's cognitive skills being trapped in a minimally functioning body recalls Trueman's Stuck in Neutral (BCCB 6/00), and the theme retains its fascination Draper's smooth style enhances the story, and there's a romantic element to the notion that Melody isn't simply capable but actually gifted. Eventually, with the help of a communication device, Melody manages to show her teachers and classmates just how much she knows. The neighbor woman who takes care of Melody while her parents work is determined that Melody will learn as much as possible, and she works tirelessly to expand the girl's vocabulary.
She can't speak or feed herself, and her motor skills are limited to whatever her thumbs can manage.
Eleven-year-old Melody Brooks has a photographic memory, synesthesia, and cerebral palsy.
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