The Howl family races to beat an evil French baron to the head of an old gargoyle, which will give the owner control over a bunch of stone gargoyles come to life.

Axl can't howl and Thistle can't fly, but they soon realize that there are things they can do.

Thistle Howl desperately wants to grow, but drinking purple pickle juice doesn't help and her aunt's magic makes Thistle think that maybe she's content just as she is.