Melody flies to London to speak at a convention about differently abled kids in this “warm and beautifully told” ( Kirkus Reviews , starred review) sequel to the acclaimed, New York Times bestselling middle grade novels Out of My Mind and Out of My Heart . When Melody saves an elderly back-in-the-day actress’s life, she ends up on their local TV channel. The studio is so impressed with Melody that they arrange for her to be a speaker at an international symposium for kids who are differently abled, and this year’s symposium is in London! To Melody’s utter shock and delight, her parents say yes. Yes! Melody finally gets to fly on an airplane, and many adventures in London await, including a cheeky interaction with a royal guard’s horse, becoming a little too acquainted with old-timey armor, and a run in with one of the most popular pop stars on the planet! But the biggest adventure is the I.D.E.A. symposium. There, Melody meets kids from all over the world who are rallying for greater accessibility and more thoughtful planning on how to make the world more equal for every kid, no matter the challenges they face. But as Melody’s time to speak approaches, big-time nerves set in: how can a girl who’s never spoken a word out loud in her life give an entire speech? This latest volume is a worthy addition to a highly acclaimed and popular series. Through strong characterization and powerful storytelling Draper once again successfully brings readers into Melody’s mind, allowing them to see the world through her eyes. A warm and beautifully told narrative featuring a beloved character. -- Kirkus Reviews, STARRED ― 09/01/2024 Sharon M. Draper is the New York Times bestselling author of Out of My Mind , Blende d, and Out of My Heart . She’s won Coretta Scott King Awards for Copper Sun and Forged by Fire and multiple honors. She’s also the recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award honoring her significant and lasting contribution to writing for teens. Sharon taught high school English for twenty-five years and was named National Teacher of the Year. She lives in Florida. Visit her at SharonDraper.com. Chapter 1 CHAPTER 1 I walked to the podium, tall and confident. I wore a dusky-red velvet dress that swirled lightly with each step I took. A black silk sash and satiny-smooth shoes completed the look. I turned to the crowd and waved. I could hear cheers, yes, cheers, for me, Melody Brooks! “We love ya, Melody!” “You’re the best, Melody!” “We are so proud of you, Melody!” “Can’t wait to hear from you!” I smiled brightly, acknowledging each person as I passed them. Mom and Dad and Penny were in the front row, and near them I spotted our neighbors Mrs. V and Miss Gertie, and a girl I didn’t recognize. And ooh, was that Noah from camp? OMG! My heart skipped a beat. I couldn’t believe he showed up! Reaching the podium, I grabbed both sides, lifted my chin, and took a deep breath. I spoke loudly and clearly, my voice echoing from the microphone. “To all my friends and relatives who have gathered here today, I am so very thankful. And to all of you who don’t know the full story of how a surprise trip changed my life and opened new doors for me, here we go!” More applause. Was that music playing in the background? I felt like dancing. My feet wiggled in my shoes, and suddenly I was tipping, tapping, twirling across the stage to the beautiful strains of a soft Strauss waltz. So I danced. Yes, I danced. Right there onstage in front of hundreds of people. The notes and the melody did their own dance in my heart, just like my name. I glided across the stage as lightly as the golden air around me. Music raised me up as I reached for the sky. I stretched, farther, farther, and then… I opened my eyes, as the dream began to crumble into the reality of morning, I realized I could not speak; there was no music, not even any random birds squawking outside. I was in my bed, waiting for my mom to get me up, place me in my wheelchair, and get me ready for the day, which would not, for sure, include dancing! But what a strange dream….