In Gloucester, Massachusetts, Ruby Rossi is the only hearing member of her family: her parents, Frank and Jackie, and older brother Leo are all culturally deaf. She helps with the family fishing business and plans to join it full-time after finishing high school. Because of her family, Ruby is an outcast at school, just counting on Gertie, Ruby’s best friend and confidante. When Ruby notices that Miles, a fellow student, signs up for choir, she impulsively does the same. Then Ruby auditions for the school choir, run by Bernardo Villalobos (or Mr. V), but when she is called upon to sing, she panics and runs away.

Ruby later returns to Mr. V and explains that she was bullied for talking funny as a child. Mr. V accepts Ruby into the choir after hearing her beautiful voice and encourages her to be more confident.

Mr. V pairs Ruby with Miles for a duet at the upcoming choir recital. Their first performance goes poorly as they each prepare separately; Mr. V insists that they get together on their own to practice. So Ruby invites Miles to her house to practice, but they are interrupted by Frank and Jackie loudly having sex in the next room. Ruby later hears classmates in thecafeteria mocking the incident behind her back; Miles apologizes for spreading the story, but she wants nothing to do with him. She eventually forgives him, and they resume their practice while starting a relationship.

Meanwhile, Frank and Leo struggle to make ends meet with the fishing business as new fees and sanctions are imposed by the local board. Frank announces that he is starting his own company at a board meeting. He tries to get around the new restrictions and sell his fish independently, inviting other local fishermen to join in. The family struggles to get the company off the ground, relying on Ruby to talk to people and spread the word.

Mr. V encourages Ruby to audition for Berklee College of Music and offers her private lessons to prepare. Ruby joins him for the classes but becomes increasingly busy helping her family with the business. Mr. V grows irritated with her constantly being late and making excuses, cancelling their lessons. He chastises her for wasting his time and accuses her of not caring enough about music.

Things start getting tough for Ruby, as she must choose between helping the family business or following her dream of becoming a singer.