Young Lisa Tavenor is upset at leaving her lifelong home in southern California. But her distress turns to excitement when she finds the house her parents bought for their new home in northern California is occupied by barn swallows. Fond of wild animals, Lisa worries the swallows will not be able to nest and raise their babies. Besides, she has to attend an unfamiliar school where Brittany Sample dislikes her. On top of everything else, Lisa's parents have a personal problem. Burdened by such difficulties, Lisa focuses on protecting the birds, so she persuades her father to make a shelter for them. Consequently, Lisa becomes a minor celebrity among her school mates. But Brittany is jealous. Consequently, Lisa faces a dire conflict with her rival and a calamity with the swallows that challenges the character of the two girls.