Penny Brooks Character Analysis in Out of My Mind

Melody’s little sister who is eight years younger. Penny is a sweet and healthy child, and everyone in Melody’s family loves her a lot. Watching Penny develop normally (she can talk, hold her own bottle, and feed herself) brings up complicated feelings for Melody. On the one hand, Melody is happy that her little sister is strong and healthy, but on the other it reminds Melody of all the things she cannot do.

Penny Brooks Quotes in Out of My Mind

The Out of My Mind quotes below are all either spoken by Penny Brooks or refer to Penny Brooks. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

I once got one of those electronic dolls for Christmas. It was supposed to talk and cry and move its arms and legs if you pushed the right buttons. But when we opened the box, one of the arms had come off, and all the doll did, no matter which button you pushed, was squeak. Mom took it back to the store and got her money back.
I wonder if she ever wished she could get a refund for me.

Related Characters: Melody Brooks (speaker), Diane Brooks, Penny Brooks

Page Number and Citation: 76

Explanation and Analysis:

Penny Brooks Character Timeline in Out of My Mind

The timeline below shows where the character Penny Brooks appears in Out of My Mind. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Melody’s little sister, Penny, was born perfectly healthy. Sometimes her parents would fight, because two kids were harder to... (full context)

Penny was a healthy baby who developed exactly as she was supposed to. She could crawl,... (full context)

Every day has a similar routine. In the morning, Melody’s mom and Penny come to wake Melody up, and then Melody’s mom takes her to the bathroom. Although... (full context)

Language, Communication, and Identity Theme Icon

Penny can already say a lot of words, but when Melody tries to talk she just... (full context)

Penny often tries to run away from Mrs. V’s house, not because she dislikes Mrs. V,... (full context)

...but Rose doesn’t notice it. Rose gets along with Melody’s whole family, and she thinks Penny is especially cute, even remarking “she’s a genius” when Penny says Rose’s name. Melody thinks... (full context)

...how impressed she is that Melody has learned so many words. Mrs. V counters that Penny has also learned thousands of words, and that it isn’t impressive that a smart child... (full context)

The next morning, Melody, her mom, her dad, Mrs. V, and Penny drive to the airport and arrive at the check in desk right on time. Although... (full context)

...get Melody’s book bag. When Melody’s mom has gotten back in the car, Melody sees Penny run out of the house with her mom’s umbrella, which she’s also forgotten. Melody tries... (full context)

An ambulance comes for Penny, and Melody’s mom and dad go with it. Mrs. V takes Melody out of the... (full context)

Melody first worries that Penny will die, and then worries that Penny’s brain will get damaged and she’ll end up... (full context)

...Melody is special because she’s unique. A phone call from the hospital interrupts the conversation — Penny has a broken leg and some internal injuries, but she’s going to be okay. Melody... (full context)

The weekend after the accident Melody’s mom spends nights at the hospital with Penny, and Mrs. V takes care of both Melody and her father, who is so shaken... (full context)

Penny comes home from the hospital with some bruises and a cast, but no lasting damage.... (full context)

Penny Brooks Character Analysis

Penny Brooks Quotes in Out of My Mind

Chapter 9 Quotes

Penny Brooks Character Timeline in Out of My Mind