The following version of the book was used to create this study guide: Draper, Sharon M. Out of My Heart. Simon and Schuster, New York, New York, 2021. Kindle AZW file.

Melody Brooks is a 12-year-old girl who has cerebral palsy. She is confined to a wheelchair and cannot speak. However, she has a speech device that allows her to communicate verbally. She has no friends at school and is excluded from most daily activities because of her physical disabilities. When Melody overheard some girls at school making plans for a specialized summer camp, she began to search for camps for disabled kids. With the help of the local librarian, she discovered Camp Green Glades. She learns there are still spots available.

Melody's parents and Mrs. V – her caregiver and next-door-neighbor – are extremely protective of Melody. Melody shows the information to her mom. Along with Mrs. V, Melody's mother reads through the camp's website. She agrees to fill out the lengthy application. By the time Melody is approved for a spot, she is beyond excited. By the time the family makes the two-hour drive to the camp, Melody feels skeptical that this could possibly work out. Melody's parents put off the moment they will leave, obviously dreading the separation. Each camper is assigned a personal counselor. Melody's counselor is Trinity who immediately makes Melody realize it is normal to be nervous, and Melody agrees to stay. Her cabinmates include a girl in a wheelchair named Karyn and two outgoing girls named Athena and Jocelyn. By the end of the first day, Melody is feeling at home and realizes she likes the other girls. They are bound by similar experiences and feelings. At one point, the girls slip away for a few minutes alone. Though they are chastised by their counselors, Melody feels a sense of freedom at having been able to break the rules just for a few minutes. She is also quickly caught up in her newly found understanding of true friendship.

The campers experience zip lining, a boat ride, swimming, and horseback riding. The counselors are kind and patient as they convince the youngsters to try the new activities. Melody is afraid of each new experience but participates anyway. She is thrilled with the experience of “flying” on the zip line. With each new experience, Melody becomes determined to find similar opportunities as part of her daily life once she returns home. She experiences her first crush with a patient, a kind boy named Noah. She learns to dance from the heart and that art and music can be messy and loud. Throughout these experiences, she learns about her abilities instead of just her disabilities. By the time the week comes to an end, Melody and the others hate the idea of parting ways even though they are happy to see their families.