"Out of My Heart" by Sharon M. Draper follows up on the journey of Melody, an eleven-year-old girl with cerebral palsy, who was first introduced to readers in "Out of My Mind". Born with the ability to think and understand but unable to speak or control her movements, Melody faces numerous challenges as she strives for independence and recognition. Melody, with an assistive device, is able to tackle the world and experience things for the first time. The novel explores her experiences in a world that often underestimates her abilities and the power of communication.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for a review.

I loved the first book and I was beyond thrilled when I found out there was a sequel. I’m so glad I got to visit these characters again.

Out of My Mind was one of those books that I continue to think about years later. I also pick up every copy I find when thrift shopping and pass it along to students or Little Free Libraries. Out of My Heart was such a wonderful way to visit Melody again. Thank you Ms. Draper!

It was so so good to reconnect with Melody! I wasn’t sure how a sequel would work, but this was so good! Summer camp adventures abound in this continuation of Melody’s special story.

I loved this book. More often than not, sequels are either not as good or equal to the original, and I'm not saying this one was better than Out of My Mind, but it most certainly matched it. I loved seeing Melody find her people, which was one of the main struggles she faced in the first book. I loved watching all of their friendships progress, and I loved seeing Melody out of school. Overall, I just felt it was a very good book, and I've already re-read it!

Melody is smart and capable. This summer, she wants to go to camp like all the other kids. A fun and touching follow-up of friendship, determination, and young romance.

#OutOfMyHeart by #SharonMDraper is so good according to my son. This is a sequel from #OutOfMyMind which influenced this second book. It is a book about courage and determination. #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookreview #booklove #booklover #bookblogger #booknerd #bookaddict #bookaddiction #bookmark #kidsreading #kidsbooks #readingisfun #readingnook #readinglist #readingaddict #highlyrecommendingthisbook. A must read—5⭐️!!!

Excellent sequel. Sharon Draper is a queen and students who loved Out of My Mind will love this book as well. A must read and a must purchase.

4+ Stars!

“In our schools, most of us are considered misfits. We are often ignored, mistreated, teased, and overlooked. Each of us struggles with something physical, emotional, mental- that makes us just a little different from others. Sometimes a lot different. But here, we were awesome, we were noble, we were able, and we were cool!”

Out of My Heart is the sequel to one my all-time favorite children’s book, ‘Out of My Mind.’ We continue to follow twelve-year-old Melody as she heads off to summer camp for kids who need special attention. This book is about friendship and gaining confidence. Melody learns to swim, ride horses, zip line, and even dance. She makes lifelong friends and experience independence for the first time in her life.

This book briefly introduces young readers so a variety of different disabilities and makes the readers aware that people shouldn’t be defined by their conditions. The way the author writes these characters, you feel like you’re in the mind of these kids. You get to experience the highs and lows, the frustrations, the crushes, the friendships, and the innocence of these characters like you’re there with them. I love the way the author writes the voice of teenage characters. They are relatable and lovable. My students would love Melody’s story, and I would highly recommend having copies of both books in upper elementary and middle school classrooms!! The messages and themes are incredible and very positive for young readers.

I very much enjoyed this book and loved hearing the Melody’s story; however, I didn’t love this one quite as much as the first book. (but honestly, that was one of my favorite books of the year, so the bar was extremely high.) I truly loved this book, and the only reason it didn’t get a 5-star rating is because on Goodreads, I save those ratings for my all-time favorite books of the year. And although I enjoyed this book with my entire heart, I don’t think it will make my favorites list of the year, but I can’t wait to hear more about Melody’s story!

My little girl read Out of my Mind and enjoyed it so much., so that I requested Out Of My Heart digital galley. I am late to review it but my girl loved it so much. She said she read it in couple of days and is looking forward to read more books from this author!

Thank you Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books and NetGalley for the gifted galley! I highly recommend this book to all the middle graders out there

Thank you Altheneum/ Caitlyn Dlhouy books and NetGalley for sharing a copy with me. Out of my Mind was a beautiful and powerful book. The sequel was also wonderful-more eye opening to the lives people with disabilities face and the ways that Melody overcame her fears and challenges. She has such a fierce personality and there was so much kindness in this book. It was nice to live in her mind again.

Out of My Heart begins the summer after Melody's 6th grade year. She is determined to find a summer camp for people like her where she can have fun and be more independent. Great sequel!

I did not expect a sequel to Out of Mind. Honestly, I didn't think one was necessary and it might not have been, but I sure enjoyed it anyway. Melody was such vibrant character in both books; as an educator working with students at many differently levels (physically and mentally), I've been deeply moved by the glimpse offered into Melody's inner world in both books. This sequel was especially fun as we got to see Melody go out of her comfort zone and away from her trusted support system by going to camp. I loved her cabin mates and was especially delighted to see Spina Bifida represented on the page as I have two siblings with SB. Again, it was lovely to return to Melody and I was left misty eyed at the end of this just as with Out of My Mind.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in return for a fair and honest review.

This book is an absolute delight! My daughter and I were so happy to be reunited with Melody and her family. We first met her in Out of My Mind, where we learned about her Cerebral Palsy, her inability to speak, her reliance on a wheelchair and electronic communication device. In the first book she is bullied by her classmates. In this book, however, she is fiercely claiming her independence.

Attending summer camp for the first time, Melody has to face many of her fears. But being surrounded by kids with various special needs fuels her confidence. She rides a horse for the first time, attempts swimming, and even experiences her first crush. It was so fun to see her grow up, accept herself, challenge herself, and not apologize for her differences. Such a great book for young people to gain courage to accept themselves and others as they are.

Melody totally steals my heart in this book. When she goes to a camp for kids with different disabilities, she gets to be independent in a way she never has been before. Her thoughts are silly, smart, and profound, all within pages of each other. Getting to watch her making art, horseback riding, and dancing--as well as making friends and having a crush--is both scary and joyful.

I don't have any particular disability, but I was a helper at a camp for kids with disabilities, and I've also worked as a personal care assistant for young adults with disabilities. I'm so happy to see books like this that remind everyone that we as humans all need the same basic things. We just might need different tools and helpers to achieve those things.

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was so happy to get back into the mind of Melody. This wasn’t quite as emotional as the first but left me with such a happy heart. I think these are such fantastic middle grade novels!

This book is a great sequel to out of my mind. I strongly encourage readers to read them in order. The writing is just as bueatiful as her first book and I have added this book to my classroom library for all children to read.

A sweet sequel to Out of My Mind. Melody decides it's time for her to spread her wings and go away to camp. She learns a lot about herself and what she can do and learns that she can trust others to help her. She also teaches her family that she is more capable than they thought she was.

A lovely continuation of Melody’s story. Fans of Out of My Mind will enjoy seeing Melody grow and mature as she continues her journey.

Out of My Heart by Sharon Draper is a must read for everyone from Middle School to adult. Educational for everyone about people facing challenges we can't imagine.