Things don't go quite as planned for Tucker and Becca on the first day of school. Now that they're finally in eighth grade, Becca is looking forward to writing for the school paper and Tucker wants to be the school announcer. However, Tucker soon learns that he's up against Jack, a smooth-talking new kid who seems determined to humiliate him. Meanwhile, Becca and her best friend Christine are disappointed to find that they aren't in the same homeroom.

Christine decides that she wants to take wrestling in gym class with the boys and Becca helps out by starting a petition to let girls enroll. But when Christine shows up, Tucker makes fun of her and, as punishment, Coach Petrowsky assigns him to the girls' rhythmic dance class. Everything comes to a head when Tucker and Becca convince a reluctant Miles and Christine to compete in a boys against girls wrestling match.

When both Tucker's and Becca's parents go away for the weekend, they decide the time is right to throw a party at Tucker's house. But Becca's sister, Ellen is planning her own party at their house and when Becca hears that the extremely cute Zach Anderson is going to be there, she forgets her plans with Tucker and their friends and begs Ellen to include her. Of course things don't go as smoothly as they all hope.

Becca wants to invite Rob Wetzel to a school dance, but she doesn't know if he likes her. So Kerry suggests that they create a ""Cool Book"" and pass it around so that others will write down what they think of everyone in school and then they'll know who's cool or not cool. Becca thinks it's a good idea at first but soon realizes that there are some things you'd rather not know. Meanwhile, Tucker agonizes over why no one has written anything about him in the cool book so he does it himself.

Becca is torn when she realizes she'll have to choose between two very important activites when she learns that rehearsal for her annual ballet recital conflict with the tryouts for the pep squad. Should she follow her heart or pursue a surefire ticket to what Kerry assures her is guaranteed popularity? Meanwhile Tucker and Miles try to win the yearbook's annual candid photo contest. Their subject: the pep squad.

Tucker can't believe it when his dad surprises him with a pair of tickets to a concert that's been sold out for weeks. But before he has a chance to invite Becca, Tucker finds out that Kerry, the girl he has a crush on, would love to go. He invites Kerry instead, figuring that Becca will be none the wiser.

When Max makes fun of Becca and Christine for not having social lives, Becca gets up the nerve to call a guy she knew at camp, and invites him to a movie that weekend along with a friend for Christine. Becca is both thrilled and terrified that she might get her first real kiss. Unable to stifle his curiosity and jealousy, Tucker convinces Miles that they should spy on the foursome, only to recognize Becca's date as a jerk named Scott.

When Becca discovers the secret location of the ninth graders' annual bash, she spills the top secret information to Kerry, who's incapable of keeping it mum. To salvage her reputation, Becca plans a new bash at her vacationing uncle's empty house. But Ellen also decides to take advantage of the empty house and plans a date with her boyfriend for the same afternoon. Tucker, who's been grounded, sneaks out to warn Becca that her sister is on the way.