Sixth grade has not started off on a good note. Tino Estaban has been suspended for fighting at school again, his country-singing mother is involved in a devastating car accident, and his father has pawned the cherished family Gibson. When Tino's best friend, Lin Sue Fong, encourages him to follow his musical dreams, he runs into opposition from Pa and the school bully. Backed into a corner, Tino embarks on a series of deceptive ploys in a last ditch effort to get Mama's guitar back from the pawnshop before the ticket expires.