Put Out of My Mind in Triangle area schools!

Quail Ridge Books & Music and New Voices Foundation invite you to meet SharonDraper, award-winning author, educator, speaker, poet, National Teacher of the Year and multiple Coretta Scott King Award winner.

Meet the Author
Tuesday, May 1st 7:30 pm

From Sharon M. Draper comes a story full of heartache and hope. Get ready to meet a girl whose voice you’ll never, ever forget. Melody cannot walk or talk, but with her brilliant mind and indomitable spirit, she refuses to be defined by cerebral palsy. She will change forever how you look at anyone with a disability. For ages 9 – adult

Out of My Mind

Eleven-year-old Melody has a photographic memory. Her head is like a video camera that is always recording. Always. And there’s no delete button. She’s the smartest kid in her whole school—but NO ONE knows it.
Most people—her teachers and doctors included—don’t think she’s capable of learning, and up until recently her school days consisted of listening to the same preschool-level alphabet lessons again and again and again. If only she could speak up, if only she could tell people what she thinks and knows. But she can’t. She can’t talk. She can’t walk. She can’t write.
Being stuck inside her head is making Melody go out of her mind—that is, until she discovers something that will allow her to speak for the first time ever. At last Melody has a voice . . . but not everyone around her is ready to hear it.

Quail Ridge Books & Music
3522 Wade Ave
Raleigh NC 27607
(919) 828-7912

These events are free and open to the public, no reservations required.

Please let me know if you have any questions or would like more information rene.martin@quailridgebooks.com or contact the store 828-1588 or at www.quailridgebooks.com

“New Voices Children are children after all and have the same needs and aspirations of all children, and a bit more. There is no reason that their communication and mobility challenges cannot be successfully addressed in a way that will allow full inclusion in our schools and community. New Voices does that.”

Don Stedman, retired Dean of Education at UNC Chapel Hill and co-founder of New Voices

“Every child deserves a safe learning environment where they are connected, they are appreciated, and they can flourish. New Voices offers access to schooling for children who would otherwise be isolate during a time of challenge. For a child, attending school is a key part of "normal" life and New Voices makes this possible. What a wonderful gift!”

Mary Ruth Coleman, Ph.D. is a Senior Scientist at the FPG Child Development Institute at UNC-CH

“As a parent of a child who had communication and physical challenges, I know first hand what a difference an organization like New Voices can make in the lives of the children and their families. As a former teacher and special educator, I know the value of the training opportunities that New Voices provides. I cannot think of a more worthwhile non-profit to support!”

Missy Lohr Parent , Special Educator and co-founder of New Voices

“The distinguishing feature of the New Voices program is its provision of support for and professional development of teachers as they are expected to teach and work with New Voices children. Without that focus, inclusion is difficult if not impossible to achieve.”

Bill McNeal, former Wake Public Schools Superintendent, Former Executive Director of the NC Association of School Administrators and 2005 National Superintendent of the Year

“New Voices is engaging with schools and families to take active, responsive steps to provide voices for children whose needs have been too long overlooked in our communities. School is the work of children and all children have the right to all the support they need to learn and grow and become authentic participants in their communities. They have a lot to say...New Voices is developing ways for all of us to be able to listen!”

Patricia Porter Health and Human Services Consultant to the NC General Assembly

“As we begin the college process with SATs and campus visits, I realize how easily things could have been different for my daughter, Kay. She has been the “perfect storm” in a good way, showing how a kid that can’t read out loud or write a sentence can be included in a regular classroom. This is what New Voices is all about—chances, technology, and support. With your help, we can create more chances for kids like Kay!”

Sandy McMillan, former IBMer, parent of a New Voices child and New Voices Board member

“A unique feature of the New Voices program is its requirement that each New Voices child have a medical home. Many New Voices children have special health needs. Unless health barriers to inclusion are removed, educational inclusion is difficult and hampered ; a smart part of the New Voices service model .”

Dr. Olson Huff, Pediatrician, former Director of the Ruth and Billy Graham Center at Mission St Joseph’s Hospital in Asheville, and Chairman of the NC Partnership for Children

“The impressive thing about the New Voices program is the emphasis on early identification and prevention. And the continuing support for children as they move through their education experiences.”

Bill Fletcher, former Wake Co. Public Schools Board chair and Keller Williams Realtor, Raleigh

www.NewVoicesNC.org