Allie's theatrical hopes are crushed when, instead of being cast as the princess, she is given the role of the evil queen in the fourth-grade class play.

"When the teachers and the principal of Ella Mentry School go on strike, A.J. and the gang get a weird new principal who does not believe in rules"--

Presents a series of rules the reader must follow to avoid being eaten by Dennis the monster, including sitting on the floor crisscross-applesauce, making a fish face, and preparing to listen mindfully.

Guided by her rules, nine-year-old Allie works to get past being just the new girl at school, eagerly awaits the arrival of her kitten, and faces turmoil when her grandmother visits while the family is still settling into their new home.

The book's hero, a blob of color with arms, legs, and a face, bids readers not to read the book, not to make a funny face, etc., all the while getting very flustered and mentioning rules that must be followed.

Con sus relucientes gafas de sol, su lonchera clásica y sus lápices tamborileros, Lupe Lopez llega el primer día a kínder lista para el rock. "¡Soy famosa!" anuncia Lupe mientras tamborilea sobre cualquier cosa--pupitres, sillas y mesas--, mientras más ruidoso, mejor. En la escuela hay muchas reglas, pero las estrellas de rock no obedecen las reglas, así que Lupe tampoco. Antes de que acabe el día, la maestra le ha quitado todas sus preciadas...