The bestselling young adult novel “Out of My Mind” by Sharon M. Draper, Miami University class of ‘73 alumna is being adapted into a movie for Disney+.
Draper has written 30 books for children and teachers since 1994. She was a recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime literary achievement, is a five-time winner of the Coretta Scott King Award, and was National Teacher of the Year in 1997.
“Every author dreams of their novel becoming a film, but the path is long and hard and certainly not guaranteed,” Draper said. “I’ve written dozens of books, but this is the only one so far to be filmed. It’s a very long road. I feel very blessed that this has happened.”
The film, directed by Amber Sealey and written by Daniel Stiepleman, premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
“With each class that comes through, [“Out of My Mind”] continues to be popular and I think it helps children who are reluctant readers more eager to read,” said Brenna Becker, Childrens Services Supervisor at the Cuyahoga County Public Library’s Chagrin Falls Branch.
Draper said that when she pitched her first book, “Tears of a Tiger,” which is about the consequences of underage drinking and driving, she was told it would never be published. She said that after pitching to 25 publishers, she received 24 rejection letters before Simon and Schuster finally said “yes” and published the book in 1994.
In the years following, Draper’s career flourished. She has been honored at the White House six times and her 2006 novel “Copper Sun” was named one of the 100 Best Books of All Time by TIME Magazine.
“Out of My Mind,” published in 2010, follows Melody Brooks, a witty 11-year-old girl with cerebral palsy as she navigates through sixth grade as a nonverbal wheelchair user. The book has moved off and on The New York Times Best Sellers list since its initial release.
“I wanted to write a story about a child who was brilliant, but nobody knew it,” Draper said. “How very frustrating that must be.”
In the film, the role of Melody is played by Phoebe-Rae Taylor, who actually has cerebral palsy.
In 2021, Draper released a second book about Melody, now a year older and at a summer camp for children with special needs, titled “Out of My Heart.”
Draper received a master’s degree in teaching from Miami and will be awarded an honorary degree on May 18 during Miami’s spring commencement.
