I have not been reading nearly enough and, while this book was really good, it wasn't one that made me want more. This book is about Melody, an 11 year old with cerebral palsy, and how she gained the ability to 'talk' and what happens after. I like Melody well enough; her main characteristics were that she was really smart and got frustrated and loved her family. It would have been nice to have a little more depth but I suppose that wasn't the author's point. I'm also not sure about this book because half the point seems to be, 'she's smarter so we should accept her even though she has a disability'. At another point Melody realizes that the other children with disabilities are a lot nicer than the 'normal' students. I get what Draper was going for but... I don't know. Since when is being smart what makes me worthwhile? Or being nice? Also, it seemed like there weren't in betweens: Draper really tried to have a girl be nice but still look down on Melody; at the end I felt the characters of the book were either perfect or complete jerks. The main point I'd have a problem with in this book is that I don't see this being real life. My disbelief suspension system struggled a teensy bit. Just a little. Also it made me hate everybody. But I think that was the point.
Good stuff: that really was a lot of criticism. I did like this book. It was funny, sad, and I connected with the main character even though I was and still am exhausted beyond belief (yes, mom, I know you are more tired than I am). I do think it made a lot of good points about both people and education. I got seriously upset at some of the special ed teachers. The one that said she didn't want to be influenced by the other teachers so didn't look at the notes they'd left on the students; I wanted to throw the book at her. ABCs? Seriously? No. sorry, you'll have to read the book to understand that. And I want you to read the book. So everything works out in the end, doesn't it? Read this. Especially if you are ever going to work with children, with disabilities or not.
Rating? Very good.
Read again? It's a possibility.
You read? As usual, I am going to say yes.
Age level: Pre teen up.
1 comment:
I just bought and read this book recently too. I thought it was very good, although I was partial towards it because it was very similar to a plotline I came up with when I was about 13. But since I didn't know anything about any real disabilities at age 13 and still don't, this book is much better. It was a really quick read, and a good insight into how frustrating not being able to communicate can be. Something I have recently come to appreciate through new languages. When it comes to books where the main point is to make you feel what the protagonist is feeling, characters almost have to be black and white it seems.
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