Twelve-year-old Niilas has been living with his father for as long as he can remember and has barely no recollection of his mother. Therefore, he is not at all happy to be spending the summer with his mother, among the Sami people at the far end of Sweden. Despite a warm welcome, Niilas shuts down and the only one to crack his shell is his half-sister Sunnà. The Sami raise moose, and when one of them disappears, Niilas joins the search party. Gradually he gets to know his roots and experiences the most exciting summer of his life, acquiring respect and responsibility for nature.