Thomas J is a thirteen-year-old who is dealing with the grief of his mother's death, and the neglect from his alcoholic father at home. The only escape he has is his photography and his friends. In his home town of Woodbine, Oregon, there's an unprovable rumor that there's a dodo bird that's been waddling around the town, as some town citizens have claimed to spot. During a school assembly, a documentary film crew announces they're doing a film about the town's supposed dodo bird, and there's a cash prize to whoever can bring proof. Thomas J, thinking this would propel his photography career, sets out on a voyage with his friends to find it, but end up finding themselves along the way.