Ghoulia, Auntie Departed, and Uncle Misfortune are ready for a vacation. They pack up their things and head to Fancy Manor to visit Cousin Dilbert and Auntie Witch. Fancy Manor is nice and rundown, and it's on Lake Mystery, providing lots of opportunity for swimming and other summer fun. But there's a hitch in the plan. Because Fancy Manor seems abandoned, the town plans to reclaim the property in just a few days, unless a living heir comes forward. Will Ghoulia be able to brew a Return to Life potion strong enough to convince the staff at town hall that this zombie family is actually alive?
Ghoulia lives in Crumbling Manor with her Auntie Departed and spends most of her time playing with Tragedy, her beloved albino greyhound. But things aren't as easy as they seem for this little zombie girl-all she wants is a real friend. She tries to venture past the manor's walls, but she can't hide her pale green skin or the deep purple circles under her eyes. The other children will be afraid of her, and no one will want to be her friend. But when Halloween rolls around, Ghoulia hatches a brilliant plan. All the other ordinary children will be dressed up like monsters, so Ghoulia can go out into the town and be entirely herself. In the end, all the kids realize that Ghoulia is (almost) just like them and learn that friendship can come in many forms.
