As he is preparing to attend middle school, Hank, who has learning differences and academic difficulties, gets an unexpected opportunity to audition for a performing arts school where his creativity and humor will be appreciated and nurtured.
Hank Zipzer is not at all excited to hear that his mother is going to have a baby, and decides that in order to prepare for being a big brother, he needs a pet spider to help him learn responsibility.
Fourth-graders Hank, Ashley, and Frankie are excitedly preparing for a magic show at the Rock 'N Bowl when Hank's creative alternative to an English essay lands him in detention and grounded the week of the show.
Hank must decide whether to attend tae kwon do or an after school reading program run by his favorite teacher, and when he meets an interesting girl at Reading Gym, he gets into a complicated situation that even has him lying to his father.
Hank Zipzer makes a deal with his dad that if he gets a "B+" in math he can play the lead in the school musical; and he must rely on the class brain, Heather Payne, for help.
