Out of My Mind

When Melody brings the Medi-Talker to school with her, a whole new world of communication opens up. Despite the occasional errors that occur—typos, pushing the wrong buttons, moving smoothly through various levels—Elvira gives Melody the opportunity to have the class’ attention positively for the first time.

The responses of most people around her are heartwarming. Catherine is thrilled for Melody and laughs when Melody teases her about her lack of fashion sense. Connor, a popular student, declares the computer cool, and so most other students in class let it alone. Claire, however, makes her usual rude comments, and Miss Gordon reprimands her. Despite these small setbacks, Melody can tell the class jokes and says she finally feels “like I’m part of the group” (142).

When Claire states that “it just never occurred to me that Melody had thoughts in her head” (142), Miss Gordon approaches the insult positively, making it a teaching moment for the whole class by remarking that Melody has always had thoughts, but no way to express them. Best of all, Rose thinks that the computer is amazing, and when Melody says “Friends?” (143) through the computer, Rose agrees immediately, making Melody extremely happy.