Raymond does not want to start going to school, but once there he experiences the excitement of giving book reports, learning about dinosaurs and whales, taking part in a play, and writing a publisher about a mistake he finds in a reference book.
Excited about holding onto his position as the best speller in the second grade, Pinky has an embarrassing accident but is cheered up by his best friend Rex.
Disappointed in the poor European immigrant ancestors she discovers during a class project to research family roots, Rosy cooks up a clan of royal relatives.
Helen fears that lack of improvement in her reading may leave her stuck in the sixth grade forever, until a good teacher recognizes her reading problem.
After Susan sees Mr. Smith the substitute teacher peel off his face, she knows he's an alien and only Peter believes her; together they work to save the class from Mr. Smith's horrible plans.