At the age of twelve, Estelle Garcia was hit by a car while crossing the street. Her medulla oblongata (the part of her brain that controls breathing) suffered irreparable damage, but her life was saved thanks to her aunt Lacey's daring contribution: a computer chip that replaced the damaged portions of her brain. Ignored by her parents and silent at school, Estelle grows hostile to the world around her, all the while exploring her penchant for music. She starts singing first in choir, then on the streets, and finally in The Incident, a televised competition. She befriends quirky violin prodigy Jake and spunky fellow contestant Minjung, and manages to bring in enough money to help support Lacey as she looks for a job. But Estelle must still face her most fearsome opponent: Keira Hansen, Jake's sister and a member of Estelle's choir. Estelle thinks Keira is boring and vapid; Keira just wants to step out of her brother's shadow. And as the fight to impress the show's executives grows bitter, Estelle may have more than just singing to worry about.