The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Out of My Dreams. Atheneum Books: 2024.

As the novel opens, Melody Brooks, a girl with cerebral palsy has a dream that she is standing at a podium speaking and that she then starts dancing. She wakes up and realizes she has to wait for her mother to help her get ready for the day. Once this has been accomplished, she stares out the window watching her elderly neighbor, Miss Gertie, water her plants when Miss Gertie suddenly falls. Alarmed, Melody tries to get the attention of people in her home, but she cannot. She uses Elvira, a supercomputer that speaks for her, to call 911 and to get the woman the help she needs.

The Brooks family did not know that Miss Gertie was once a famous British movie star. Because of who Miss Gertie is and because Melody was able to get her help even though she cannot speak on her own, the story makes the news. When the Brooks and Miss Gertie appear on the program, the announcers tell Melody that they are going to fly her and a guest to London to take part in the I.D.E.A. symposium which is held for remarkable young people who can make a difference in the world. Because her parents cannot take time off of work, Mrs V, a long time friend and caregiver to Melody, accompanies her on the trip. Miss Gertie is also flown to London along with a young relative she is watching, Sky.

The group makes it to London, and Melody is able to get her needs met on the plane without drawing unwanted attention to herself. She does not believe she is worthy to be chosen for the I.D.E.A. symposium, but everyone around her believes what she did was remarkable. The group visits notable sights in London and witnesses the changing of the guards. Melody loves words, and as such, she wants to go to a Shakespeare play at the Globe Theater. When they all get to the theater, they learn that the woman who was supposed to play Lady Capulet is unable to come in that day, and Miss Gertie takes her place to the joy of all in attendance.

Oliver, Sky’s brother, is able to get the three kids tickets to a concert for a popular band, Double Trouble. Sky and Melody go shopping for outfits, and they all wait in the long line. When they finally get to the front of the line, they learn that the building is not wheelchair accessible, and Melody cannot safely attend. Oliver and Sky decide they will not go if Melody cannot go. They all head back to the hotel where Melody starts crying. In the elevator, they meet a band member from Double Trouble, and he invites them to a recording session since they cannot go to the concert.

The I.D.E.A. symposium begins, and Melody participates along with the other invitees. She joins a group responsible for coming up with ways to make the world better for other people. She comes up with the idea for an emergency necklace that people at risk of falling, like Miss Gertie, can wear that will notify emergency personnel if they need help. She does not want to present in front of the large group, but then she notices a really shy boy, and she knows that if she is willing to speak, then he will likely take inspiration from that. This gives her the courage to present her idea on stage.