On the brink of the civil war, a lonely young girl moves to a southern plantation. She befriends a ghost under her bed, only to discover there are much greater human horrors in store.

SYNOPSIS:

Ten-year-old Mabel's life takes a drastic turn as her mother, Esther, marries a plantation owner in the South. Mabel leaves Boston with her treasured possession, her father's gold watch. Her nanny, Kate, accompanies them.

Upon arriving, Mabel's hopes are shattered by her dismissive stepfather, Duncan, who treats her poorly. Her favorite book, "A Christmas Carol," fuels her imagination as she believes her room is haunted. Mabel discovers unsettling truths about the treatment of slaves on the plantation and befriends Hanna, a former slave, who believes in the ghost. Mabel leaves gifts for the ghost, hoping it's her father's spirit. The ghost, Abby, communicates with Mabel, revealing herself as a real girl hiding out under the floorboards.

Mabel vows to help Abby, leading to tension with her family and tragic consequences for Hanna. With the help of Kate, Mabel and Abby attempt to escape to Boston. Mabel sacrifices her father's watch to ensure Abby's freedom. The story ends with Mabel returning to Boston, free from the plantation's horrors, but scarred by her experiences. Duncan meets a fitting end, and Esther, now with a son, reconciles with Mabel.