Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper

Draper, S. M. (2010). Out of my mind. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Melody is eleven years old and is in a wheel chair. She suffers from cerebral palsy. She can't talk or move most of her body. All of her life she has lived contained in her body without saying a word, but she is a very smart girl and no one knows it. She has been taught the same alphabet lessons by her teachers year after year and is going out of her mind because she speaks only in her mind and can't let the rest know exactly what she wants. Her life changes when she gets Elvira, the computer that gives her her voice. This marks the beginning of a totally new life for Melody, a life of both disappointments and triumphs. 

This book could be used in a fifth grade reading group lesson in order for the students to practice listening and speaking skills: After reading the book the students may discuss the questions found at the end of this book or the teacher may create new questions.  The students may also create a list of questions to use in their group discussion (teacher's choice). Provide the students with a list of these questions. Group students in groups of four or five and have the students answer the questions and discuss them among the group. While one student discusses an answer to a question have the rest of the group listen and analyze their peer's response. After that have students take turns speaking, discussing, and listening to one another in the group. 

TEKS: 

Figure 19 (B) ask literal, interpretive, evaluative, and universal questions of text

(29) Listening and Speaking/Teamwork. Students work productively with others in teams. Students continue to apply earlier standards with greater complexity. Students are expected to participate in student-led discussions by eliciting and considering suggestions from other group members and by identifying points of agreement and disagreement.