Petal, a fiery-natured orphan elf girl is raised by St Nicholas and the elves at Christmas Castle in the far north. Early on she begs to be allowed to work in the stables. Traditionally this has always been an elf-guy's job, but she's persistent and they give in. Having bent tradition once she sets her sights on a new and far greater goal, to change the rule that only elf guys are allowed to be sleighriders on the Christmas delivery. 

When trolls return to the north and attack the castle the lives of the elves are shattered. They are forced to flee and start anew over the mountains, but before they go, St Nicholas, who is a retired wizard, manages to leave a spell which kills many trolls. Then Urkha, a vicious and vengeful she-troll rises to power and swears to destroy Christmas by stopping the delivery. 

From early on Petal is drawn to dark, loyal, and steadfast Aleron, and the attraction is mutual. But their differing personalities cause bitter conflict. She sees his moody, protective nature as a threat to her freedom, while he both admires and is infuriated by her wilful independence. 

When the she-troll carries out a vicious attack on the elves' reindeer on Christmas Eve and kidnaps Petal things are looking disastrous. Aleron goes after Urkha and in an ancient wizard's room in the bowels of the castle the final confrontation takes place. 

The Sleighriders is a story of adventure, friendships, loyalty, love, daring, courage, and the breaking of traditions. It was written for the child in all of us.