Characters
This is the main character of the story, who has cerebral palsy.
Melody
Melody uses this device to finally communicate with others.
Medi-talker
Melody struggles with this in every classroom.
Answer: What is being underestimated?
Being underestimated
This medical condition affects Melody’s movement and speech.
Cerebral palsy
Melody compares her brain to this object, saying it’s overflowing.
A balloon with too much air
Melody’s supportive neighbor who helps her learn new words.
Mrs. V
Melody tries out for this team at school
Melody shocks her teachers by scoring high on this test.
The inclusion test
This symbolizes Melody’s voice before the Medi-Talker.
Music
Melody says words are like this before she got the Medi-Talker.
Trapped in a cage
Melody’s classmate who is kind and becomes her friend.
Rose
The team travels here for the big competition.
Washington DC
Melody shows courage by speaking up during these sessions.
Penny’s accident symbolizes this harsh truth about life.
Bad things can happen no matter what
Melody describes her photographic memory as being like this.
Camera
The teacher who gives Melody her first chance to be included in a mainstream class.
Mr. Dimming
This tragic accident almost takes Penny’s life.
Being hit by a car.
Melody’s biggest triumph is finally being able to do this.
Communicate her thoughts
The quiz team symbolizes Melody’s chance at this.
Feeling included or being accepted
Melody calls her body this, because it won’t cooperate with her mind.
A locked up body
The name of Melody’s younger sister.
Penny
Melody’s classmates do this when they go to the competition without her.
Leave her behind
Melody’s biggest challenge, even after success, is dealing with this.
Exclusion or prejudice
The goldfish that jumps out of its bowl represents this.
Melody's desire to escape her limitations
Melody uses this metaphor for how people underestimate her.
Being stuck underwater while everyone else is breathing