Based on Jeff Kinney's best-selling illustrated novel, it chronicles the adventures of wisecracking middle school student Greg Heffley over the course of an academic year, as told through the young man's diary and hand-drawn cartoons. It follows Greg Heffley, a self-proclaimed wimp who faces the problems that being a elementary school student offers, including fights with his best friend Rowley and the constant war with his brothers, Rodrick and Manny, and trying to get out of trouble with his parents. Greg is shown as being lazy, often putting off his homework until the last minute or conning Rowley into doing a task for him. He is very interested in girls, especially his crush, Holly Hills, but his affection is never returned.