When an elf-child is born unlike any other ever seen in Claustown, trouble ensues immediately. The topper, literally, is the shocking jungle of black and gray hair atop his head. Hence his name: “Charcoal.”

Reviled, bullied and excluded for being different, he sinks into behavioral and emotional issues, acting out and making things worse. His parents and cousin Trixie, as adored as he is despised, try to be loving and supportive but nothing seems to help until Santa agrees to a daring plan, one which may help save Charcoal as well as those troublesome humans “Down Below” who seem determined to destroy themselves and the planet they live on.

But unexpected dangers await.