The young high school graduate Göran and the 17-year-old Kerstin get to know each other on the estate of Göran's uncle Persson and fall in love. But their relationship is watched suspiciously by the jammed adult world. While Persson has an understanding of the youth, Kerstin's parents and the pastor of the village rant against the alleged immorality of the young people. Despite all the malice, Göran and Kerstin decide for their love. But this love should last only one summer.

1951 - the year when Snoddas plays bandy and the naval spy is exposed. Stålfarfar rides a bike, Pär Lagerkvist receives a Nobel Prize and Tage Erlander and Karl Gerhard are getting older. Out in the world there's a cold war and in Sweden there's the big Västgöta maneuver. There's a plastic fashion and new hairstyles for a new age.