When 10-year-old Emily Puddlesworth is displaced by a home fire, her entire world falls apart. She immediately inherits the home of her uncle, and moves in with her family, only to find that the spirits of her ancestors are already in residence, ready to give her advice about life, death, and everything in between. Guided by the ghost of her dog, Sebastian, she explores their worlds, learning lessons along the way. But when her grand-cousin, Elmer, shows up, he expresses a determination to possess the mansion at any cost. What is the secret of the Puddlesworth house? And will Emily live long enough to find out?