The residents of eleven-year-old Willodeen's village, Perchance, adore the lovable hummingbears who migrate to their community and winter there in shiny bubble nests atop blue willow trees, drawing tourists to the area. However, they despise other local beasts known as screechers, who have sharp teeth and smelly bodies, so the villagers offer rewards to those who rid the community of them. Willodeen, whose parents were killed in a natural disaster, was taught to cherish all of the animals in her community. When the hummingbears fail to arrive this year, causing an uproar, Willodeen and her friend Connor set out to understand why, eventually finding the answer. Willodeen vows to speak up and convince those in the community that their actions need to change.