Out of My Heart by Sharon Draper

 

This follow-up to Sharon Draper's beloved Out of My Mind follows Melody, a brilliant young girl with cerebral palsy. In the first book, Melody gets technology that allows her to speak, and everyone around her realizes her potential and life changes for her in many ways. One year later, Melody is feeling frustrated by her constrained life and she researches summer camps that cater to kids like her. This sweet story is her week at a camp where she uses a zipline, rides a horse, and learns to swim. On top of it all, she makes new friends and develops her first crush. This book is exactly what it should be and is going to be loved by all the students who already are invested in Melody's story. This is a fine example of how books can build empathy. Recommended for readers in grades 4-8.