Synopsis
Trevor Chaplin is a brilliant but awkward fifth grader recently diagnosed with autism. His fondest wish is for real friends, but he’s always been different from the other children with his love of spinning in circles and making silly sounds. Insecure and afraid of failure from being teased and bullied, Trevor spends most of his time with Malcolm the Woof-Kitty and Siegfried the flatulent basset hound, and creates a best friend in the form of imaginary chats with his hero, Albert Einstein.
When a pop quiz given by his uninterested teacher inadvertently reveals his math savant abilities, Trevor’s classmate Tasha Goforth introduces herself, and they become inseparable. Tasha plays the piano and encourages Trevor to learn as well. He’s reluctant at first, but takes the plunge and begins study with Tasha’s beloved piano teacher, Mrs. Hopkins. Unknown to Trevor, Mrs. Hopkins is also a music therapist who knows exactly how to help him through the use of music. Trevor’s piano abilities, as well as his overall coordination, develop quickly with her help. Mr. Nuttelman, the eighth-grade math teacher, also sees Trevor’s potential and works with him after school to stimulate his math capabilities. As the school year progresses and Trevor’s real-life opportunities shine more brightly, he spends less time in his imaginary world and slowly begins developing self-confidence.
Other young musicians gather into Trevor and Tasha’s musical world. Drummer Ryan, vocalist Becky, and guitarist Bijan join Trevor and Tasha in forming the band “Noteable Einstein and the Rhythm Tramps.” The band members adore playing music together and also learn how music can be used to help in other ways. For example, music helps them ace a test about the circulatory system when they create a song to help them remember the details. Then, inspired by Trevor’s daily “Skally walk” that helps his coordination, they decide to play their first public outing at Orchard Hill, a nearby assisted living facility where Bijan’s grandfather lives.
Mr. Hanson, the high-school choral director and friend of Mrs. Hopkins, coaches the band with their 70’s rock and roll songs and organizes the performance at Orchard Hill. The band becomes a local YouTube sensation after the performance is recorded, and Trevor finds another fast friend in Bijan’s Grandfather Hakeem. Hakeem has Parkinson’s disease and was delighted to find that Trevor’s Skally walk helped his own gait as well. This inspires Trevor to create a Mr. Einstein “Skally-bot” to help anyone with gait issues with daily walking. Mr. Nuttelman suggests that Trevor and friends apply to a college robotics camp to manifest the idea into reality.
The school year culminates in the fifth-grade graduation ceremony. It features the band playing another one of their original songs. Trevor is celebrated as the Noteable GOAT as it is announced that the application to robotics summer camp has been accepted. Music has positively changed Trevor’s life in many ways during the year, and he basks in his new self-confidence and circle of caring friends.
