Cerebral Palsy: Plot Summary

The book’s focus is around a 12 year old girl named Melody. She is living with the disease Cerebral Palsy. She can’t walk, talk or feed herself. But the disease does not limit it her like everyone thinks it does. She has a photographic memory, and is a very intelligent individual. But she has no way to ever show any of this. Her disability stops her from communicating her emotions and thoughts, but it does not stop her from learning. Most of all this little girl is simply a girl. She worries what she looks like, and what other people say about her. Through her positive attitude, she is able to prove everyone wrong in the end.
The story was a very good insight on the day to day lives of someone living with a disability. The author makes it very clear how other people may start to judge or look down upon
anyone in a wheelchair. The big seat and metal wheels are all that someone may look at when seeing this special individual. Kids, especially, can be cruel and rotten to someone who may be different. Melody tries her best not to let this get in her way during her new exciting experiences she is offered.
The plunging toll of raising a family with a disabled child is shown very raw.
The author does not make the family seem like a perfect put together puzzle. They father and mother spat with each other, and sometimes one of the parents will take their frustration and anger out on Melody. Melody shows a good understanding of her parents and really appreciates everything they try to do for her. The author can put the real raw reality into a story like this because of her own, up close, and personal ties with Cerebral Palsy; Sharon Draper (the author) has a daughter living with this disease. The story shows that it is not only the disabled individual, but everyone involved is affected by the disease.
The biggest overall theme of the book is acceptance. Although it is not always easy, everyone around Melody has to except her for the person that she is. Melody’s family and educators have to learn to accept her the most, they have to realize that she is still a person, not just a disease. Since it is a packaged deal, everyone in contact or around Melody have to learn how to tolerate her disorder. She craves to be a normal fifth grader, but the doubters squash her
dreams.
The storyline is not confusing, it was easy to follow. It is like a diary, went day by day, or week by week. Knowing that this could be someone’s real life every day, the author makes it so that you do not want to put the book down. I was always wanting to know what Miss Melody had up her sleeve next, there is never a part of the story that has a standstill moment. Something big is always coming within a few flips of a page.
The most impressive character in my eyes is Melody. She is an amazing talented young girl. She never gives up because of her disability; but only tries harder. She was so many sides to her. She is quick witted, caring, affectionate, and determined. Like any fifth grader, there are times she tries to feel sorry for herself. But, she gets right back up and tries even harder the next time to prove to herself and everyone watching, she is capable of doing just as much as anyone else, just in a little different way.
The other incredible character is Mrs. Valencia, Melody’s next door neighbor. Mrs. V knows from the start that Melody has a gift that she needs to show the world. She took it upon herself to invest her time in teaching a disabled child, as if Melody was her own. She is tough and honest with Melody, but only because she knows that Melody is capable of doing so. Mrs V is one of Meldoy’s biggest supporters and care givers in life. She is the character (besides Melody’s parents) that treats Melody like a normal healthy child, not labeling her with the disease.
This book is a great representation of nonfiction. Any child reading this story will have a better understanding of those that are different. Children should be able to be more respectful of any human being after reading this story because of the fact that we are all different in our own little ways.