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.
Failing fifth grade math, Hank must depend on Heather, the class brain, to help him get a "B" on the next test in order for him to be eligible to play the lead in the school play, "The King and I.".
When Billy Broccoli moves into his new house, he discovers Hoover Porterhouse, a teenage ghost, is haunting his room. Hoover helps Billy get in style, stand up to bullies, and conquer his new school.
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.
Fearing that he may be failing fourth grade, Hank enlists the help of his friends, and even his annoying younger sister, in an effort to prevent his parents from attending a parent-teacher conference.
Teased by the school bully because of his Halloween costume, underachieving Hank, with the help of his friends, exacts revenge by creating the scariest and grossest haunted house ever and inviting the bully to visit.
Hank struggles through the ups and downs of friendship and the circle of life when he has a fight with Frankie and his sister's iguana lays forty-five eggs in their cable box.
