 Sam and Amanda are friends. One day, they accidentally throw Sam s sister s diaries in the garbage can and have to trace them to the city dump. While looking for the diaries, they discover a secret passage leading from the city dump to a big, old, abandoned mansion nearby. There, they meet Valdemar, an old man who s been living there for sometime. At first, he s a little suspicious of them, but after a while, the three become friends and experience many fine adventures. However, they must keep it a secret, which is difficult, when their class mates start wondering what Sam and Amanda do after school. They also get to know Valdemar s sister Greta and hear about her dream; to see their childhood home once more before she dies. They decide to help her with that, which is easier said than done.