• Booklist Reviews : Booklist Reviews 2021 December #1
  Sisi Aisha Johnson returns to narrate this compelling sequel to Out of My Mind (2012), Draper's novel about Melody, an intelligent preteen girl who has cerebral palsy. Now 12 years old, Melody continues to use a wheelchair to get around and a speech-generating device to communicate, but she wants to broaden her horizons away from home. She convinces her parents to enroll her in Camp Green Glades, a summer camp for kids with disabilities. Johnson's youthful voice and lively tone perfectly convey the brightness of Melody's "blazing brain" through her wry and witty inner thoughts. She vibrantly portrays Melody's every emotion as she bounces between nervousness, curiosity, and excitement over new experiences like swimming, zip-lining, and horseback riding. Johnson also creates distinct voices for the diverse characters Melody meets at camp. Listeners will empathize with and cheer for Melody as she discovers herself in an affirming community of friends. Grades 5-8. Copyright 2021 Booklist Reviews.

Sharon M. Draper is a three-time <i>New York Times</i>&#160;bestselling author and a recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award honoring her significant and lasting contribution to writing for teens. She has received the Coretta Scott King Award for both&#160;<i>Copper Sun</i>&#160;and&#160;<i>Forged by Fire</i>, and was awarded the Charlotte Huck Award for&#160;<i>Stella by Starlight</i>. Her novel&#160;<i>Out of My Mind</i>&#160;has won multiple awards and was a&#160;<i>New York Times&#160;</i>bestseller for over three years, and <i>Blended</i> has also been a <i>New York Times</i> bestseller. She taught high school English for twenty-five years and was named National Teacher of the Year. She now lives in Florida. Visit her at SharonDraper.com.