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Out of Tune
A country music hopeful puts her Nashville dreams on hold when she moves into an RV to travel across the country with her family in this charming new novel from the author of Breaking the Ice.
When twelve-year-old Maya’s parents sell their house and move the family into the world’s ugliest RV to travel the country, Maya’s only goal is to get back home in time to audition for Dueling Duets, the singing competition show that’s going to surely propel her—and her cowboy-hatted crush—to country stardom.
As Operation Maya Goes Home, or OMGH, turns out to be more complicated than she had expected, she embarks on a secret one-day, one-hundred-mile bike ride with her know-it-all little sister, a cute nature boy, and blue-haired, earbud-addicted Shiver (a.k.a. the most annoying girl ever). Somewhere between the worst muscle ache she’s ever experienced and losing half of their group to a flat tire, Maya starts wondering if maybe, just maybe, it’s possible to find home in the last place you expected.
When twelve-year-old Maya’s parents sell their house and move the family into the world’s ugliest RV to travel the country, Maya’s only goal is to get back home in time to audition for Dueling Duets, the singing competition show that’s going to surely propel her—and her cowboy-hatted crush—to country stardom.
As Operation Maya Goes Home, or OMGH, turns out to be more complicated than she had expected, she embarks on a secret one-day, one-hundred-mile bike ride with her know-it-all little sister, a cute nature boy, and blue-haired, earbud-addicted Shiver (a.k.a. the most annoying girl ever). Somewhere between the worst muscle ache she’s ever experienced and losing half of their group to a flat tire, Maya starts wondering if maybe, just maybe, it’s possible to find home in the last place you expected.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published November 8, 2016
1 person is currently reading
413 people want to read
About the author
Gail Nall
8 books103 followersGail Nall lives in Louisville, Kentucky with her family and more cats than necessary. She once drove a Zamboni, has camped in the snow in June, and almost got trampled in Paris. Gail is the author of the Aladdin/S&S middle grade novels OUT OF TUNE, BREAKING THE ICE, the YOU'RE INVITED series (co-authored with Jen Malone), and BEST.NIGHT.EVER. (co-authored). She is also the author of the young adult novel, EXIT STAGE LEFT (Epic Reads Impulse/HarperCollins). You can find her online at gailnall.com and on Twitter as @gailecn.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 18, 2019
This was an ok read. I think it would appeal to middle -grade readers, for the most part. I just didn’t find the storyline to be that realistic and appealing.
July 5, 2015
When Maya's dad brings home a beat-up RV and declares the family is selling their house and "embarking on an adventure", she's... less than thrilled. Especially since it means missing out on the chance to audition for a reality singing competition alongside the boy she's crushing on. Who could blame her for cooking up a million and one plots to get back home, despite the fact that life on the road isn't quite as bad as she expected (and full of unusual sights and people.) Super fun tween drama here and the premise is spot-on perfect! I loved this book!!!
March 12, 2018
Imagine selling your house and living out of a retro RV camper. Sounds crazy fun, right? Not to twelve-year-old singing hopeful Maya, whose secret crush asked HER to audition for the TV show Dueling Duets. Her big break is coming, but her parents expect her to give it all up, downsize her bedroom to a cubbyhole, and climb aboard Bertha the Beast with her sister Bug. While the rest of her family embraces this new life on wheels, and even meets new friends Gert and Shiver along the way, all Maya wants to do is get home to Nashville in time for the audition - especially before she loses the cute boy with a lazy smile to her rival. With help from her BFF back home via texts, she plans Operation Maya Goes Home. I loved how author Gail Nall used Maya's texting to pull her out of the moment again and again. Just when she's about to give the Grand Tetons a chance, here comes a shocking update. It's painfully obvious that while Maya is scheming how to make it to the audition, she's missing out on the adventure of a lifetime. Gail hit all the right notes in Out of Tune, especially when it comes to a preteen's tug and pull of family and friends. Hats off to Maya and her crew for taking me on one twisty adventure.
June 24, 2018
Out of Tune is a cute story of aspiring country-singer Maya, an ugly RV named Bertha, a girl with blue hair named Shiver, and the desperate chase of a dream.
Overall, this was a good book! I enjoyed the characters—especially Bug and Remy, I thought they were a lot of fun. Even as an adult, reading this aloud had me laughing at certain parts (Sick Stu was a particular favorite), and the relationship that Maya has with her parents is truly believable. Nall does a great job of slipping into the shoes of a young starlet who's struggling with her place in an ever-rearranging life.
There were, however, some things that I thought could have been done a bit better.
SPOILERS/
The thing that bothered me most about Out of Tune was the bluntness of the climax. The pacing of the story is slow, and the reader is led to believe that the climax will take place when a specific event happens. When we spend 300 pages building up the importance of this event—having the main character obsess over it the entire time—we're blindsided when that same character suddenly drops their goal in one page, with little immediate emotional build-up to it.
I was a little disappointed that in certain parts Maya's character growth and strength hinged on the boy that she liked, but there certainly are stories that go that way sometimes.
I also wanted a little bit more from Shiver's ending. Yes, Maya suggested that Shiver become a caregiver for Gert, but when a large underlying arc of the plot is that Shiver's mother is neglectful, I really wanted a conclusion of that tied off a bit more securely, even if it was just "it's not okay, but that's how life is for some people." Instead, I felt like the climax of that arc was the reveal to Maya itself.
/SPOILERS
Overall, Out of Tune is a fun little read, and I would recommend it to any young person who
1. enjoys country music
2. has a dream they sometimes feel is unattainable
3. is traveling for the summer and needs a light read.
Overall, this was a good book! I enjoyed the characters—especially Bug and Remy, I thought they were a lot of fun. Even as an adult, reading this aloud had me laughing at certain parts (Sick Stu was a particular favorite), and the relationship that Maya has with her parents is truly believable. Nall does a great job of slipping into the shoes of a young starlet who's struggling with her place in an ever-rearranging life.
There were, however, some things that I thought could have been done a bit better.
SPOILERS/
The thing that bothered me most about Out of Tune was the bluntness of the climax. The pacing of the story is slow, and the reader is led to believe that the climax will take place when a specific event happens. When we spend 300 pages building up the importance of this event—having the main character obsess over it the entire time—we're blindsided when that same character suddenly drops their goal in one page, with little immediate emotional build-up to it.
I was a little disappointed that in certain parts Maya's character growth and strength hinged on the boy that she liked, but there certainly are stories that go that way sometimes.
I also wanted a little bit more from Shiver's ending. Yes, Maya suggested that Shiver become a caregiver for Gert, but when a large underlying arc of the plot is that Shiver's mother is neglectful, I really wanted a conclusion of that tied off a bit more securely, even if it was just "it's not okay, but that's how life is for some people." Instead, I felt like the climax of that arc was the reveal to Maya itself.
/SPOILERS
Overall, Out of Tune is a fun little read, and I would recommend it to any young person who
1. enjoys country music
2. has a dream they sometimes feel is unattainable
3. is traveling for the summer and needs a light read.
November 1, 2019
Didn't love this one as much as Breaking the Ice. Maya is a talented singer and is looking forward to auditioning for Dueling Duets with her crush, Jack. Her parents put a major wrench in her plans when they decide to trade in their home for an RV. They've always dreamed of traveling around the country. Maya's little sister is thrilled, but Maya sees HER dreams going down the toilet. On top of that, she has to live in a tiny compartment, lose her best friend, and run into a girl she can't stand at every campground. She's determined to get back to Nashville even if it means grabbing a ride with strangers or "borrowing" her mom's credit card.
I wanted this book to be more about the singing. It's a road trip book. The book kept me interested because I couldn't wait to see how Maya would get back to Nashville. Big disappointment. She never makes it back for the audition. I guess it was more important to learn a lesson. Things are never as bad as they seem. You have to roll with the punches. Parents know best. Etc. Etc. Etc.
I wanted this book to be more about the singing. It's a road trip book. The book kept me interested because I couldn't wait to see how Maya would get back to Nashville. Big disappointment. She never makes it back for the audition. I guess it was more important to learn a lesson. Things are never as bad as they seem. You have to roll with the punches. Parents know best. Etc. Etc. Etc.
March 29, 2022
What kid hasn't dreamed of running away? Maya certainly has. In this fast-paced story, 6th grader Maya and her family struggle from lost jobs in Nashville to found opportunities in their giant used RV. Their family trip turns into nothing but struggles for Maya; she's longing to return home to audition for a signing competition that she thinks is her only chance to break into her dream job of country music super star. As the family travels further and further from Tennessee and the date of the audition draws closer, Maya plots her journey back. Maya is such a relatable character. She's a flawed big sister. She tries to be a good daughter, but her family makes it hard when they don't seem to listen to her dreams. She wants to be a good friend, but life gets in the way. I love how real she is. And the descriptions of RV life, Nashville dreams, and being a middle schooler all ring true.
November 5, 2016
The idea of traveling around the country in an RV sounds amazing to most of us. Not to the lead character in Out of Tune, though. All Maya wants is to audition for a show called Dueling Duets with her secret crush, Jack. But her fixation on getting home almost makes her miss out on all of the great things about her new life, including a cute boy named Remy and a "frenemy" named Shiver. Gail does a fantastic job of conveying the angst a preteen feels when she's stuck with her family while missing out on so much back at home. You can't help but feel as though you've been on the adventure alongside Maya!
September 1, 2018
Funny and heartwarming, Maya's story is about following your dreams even after her parents put them on hold by moving the family into the RV and embarking on a cross-country trip. Along the way she makes new friends, sees new things, and opens her mind to adventures all while discovering truths about herself and her family connections. A great middle school read!
February 2, 2020
This book was definitely good, but it sometimes confused me. Sometimes the author would mention things twice, like (this isn't actually from the book): "I saw a bear looking at me strangely" and then a couple sentences later it would say "I looked over to find a bear giving me a weird look". So I guess it was kind of redundant at some points, but other than that, it was a really good book!
December 14, 2021
Personally, this book actually has a flat plot untuk ukuran buku yang cukup tebal :"
But i can relate with Maya's personality sih sama sama batu tapi bingung kenapa dia bisa ngelepas hal yang selama ini dia kejar mati-matian segampang itu wkwk. kesannya kyk dipaksain untuk ikhlas aja... Untuk karakter-karakternya, i like it karena dynamic dari karakternya unikkk
But i can relate with Maya's personality sih sama sama batu tapi bingung kenapa dia bisa ngelepas hal yang selama ini dia kejar mati-matian segampang itu wkwk. kesannya kyk dipaksain untuk ikhlas aja... Untuk karakter-karakternya, i like it karena dynamic dari karakternya unikkk
August 16, 2018
A friendship adventure
February 18, 2019
A fun read about family, friendship, and figuring out what is most important in life. I loved the way the settings were described - made me want to road trip out west!
January 9, 2021
Sometimes my own house seems to small for my family, so i would not like it if my parents decided to pack up and live in an Rv
May 8, 2025
I loved this book so much! I enjoy fiction books and I love singing and camping so this was a perfect book!
September 18, 2016
It's never good news when your dad brings home a junker RV. But it's especially bad news for 12-year-old Maya. Her parents announce that the rust bucket in the driveway will be their new home and Maya will have to leave everything behind -- her house, her BFF, and her dream of becoming a country music star on Dueling Duets.
As the family hits the open road, Maya plots a way to make it back to Nashville for the Dueling Duets auditions. But Operation Maya Goes Home, OMGH, turns out to be more complicated than expected.
There is so much to love in Nall's newest MG novel. It is the perfect road trip adventure, complete with majestic mountains, tranquil forests, and the cute son of Park Service rangers. The natural beauty of America -- from Yellowstone to the Grand Teton National Parks -- provides the perfect backdrop to Maya's dilemmas: what and where is home and how do you decide between family and your dreams?
Tween readers are really going to love Maya's adventures (even though they must always be on the lookout for bears). Maya is sweet, funny, and hopelessly dedicated to her dream. OMGH is adventure-filled and fraught with challenges, just like middle school itself. Life is an adventure, filled with quirky characters and foiled plans, but it is on that winding road that we all find personal growth.
I was grateful to read an ARC of Out of Tune. You've got to wait until November 8, 2016, to get your hands on a copy.
As the family hits the open road, Maya plots a way to make it back to Nashville for the Dueling Duets auditions. But Operation Maya Goes Home, OMGH, turns out to be more complicated than expected.
There is so much to love in Nall's newest MG novel. It is the perfect road trip adventure, complete with majestic mountains, tranquil forests, and the cute son of Park Service rangers. The natural beauty of America -- from Yellowstone to the Grand Teton National Parks -- provides the perfect backdrop to Maya's dilemmas: what and where is home and how do you decide between family and your dreams?
Tween readers are really going to love Maya's adventures (even though they must always be on the lookout for bears). Maya is sweet, funny, and hopelessly dedicated to her dream. OMGH is adventure-filled and fraught with challenges, just like middle school itself. Life is an adventure, filled with quirky characters and foiled plans, but it is on that winding road that we all find personal growth.
I was grateful to read an ARC of Out of Tune. You've got to wait until November 8, 2016, to get your hands on a copy.
Read
July 14, 2016Maya's dad decides that her family is going to go on an adventure...an adventure that involves selling their house, buying an RV and touring the country. While Maya's little sister, Bug, is on board, Maya most certainly is not. She needs to stay in Nashville to try out for the reality show Dueling Duets, where she's sure she'll become a star, but her parents won't listen to her. So while stuck on the RV, she tries everything she can to get back home for the audition.
Middle grade readers are going to love Maya; she's funny, sweet, and full of charm. You root along with her as she tries to get home, but also fall in love with her family and the quirky mix of characters who come into her life. One of my favorite parts of the book is how strong her family bond is and how much they truly care about each other. She keeps in touch with her best friend at home via text messages, which middle grade readers will love and relate to. While Maya's plans to get home get foiled time and time again, you can't help but cheer for her to make it home. This book has so much heart and any reader that picks it up will fall in love with it!
Middle grade readers are going to love Maya; she's funny, sweet, and full of charm. You root along with her as she tries to get home, but also fall in love with her family and the quirky mix of characters who come into her life. One of my favorite parts of the book is how strong her family bond is and how much they truly care about each other. She keeps in touch with her best friend at home via text messages, which middle grade readers will love and relate to. While Maya's plans to get home get foiled time and time again, you can't help but cheer for her to make it home. This book has so much heart and any reader that picks it up will fall in love with it!
February 7, 2017
This was an interesting read for a little older child. I received this book for free and I voluntarily chose to review it. I've given it a 4.5 * rating. It was full of adventures and finding out life doesn't always turn out like you want it to. This is pretty long for a child though. However, if a child really likes to read, it is pretty fast moving and there is something happening all the time.
March 24, 2018
Enjoyed the familiar setting.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews