In November, the whole family gathers at Gammie’s for Uncle Gary’s latest wedding. First, Grandpa comes to watch him and his brothers while Mom and Dad take a short trip. Greg is invited to a party at one of the cool kids’ homes but can’t go because it’s the same time as Uncle Gary’s fourth wedding. Greg attends a school lock-in, during which parents mutiny because they can’t reach their kids by cellphone. She eventually is fired for having soap opera parties at the Heffley home during work hours. Mom hires a maid named Isabelle, who does nothing but nap and watch TV. His grade suffers after his mom scrambles the egg for breakfast. He’s also required to keep an egg safe for 24 hours to simulate caring for a human baby. Greg is somewhat disappointed when the unit focuses on scientific things like zygotes and chromosomes. She signs the paper, clueless to his deception.

He creates a fake permission slip and tapes it on top of the one Mom needs to sign. Greg’s mom, also noticing Greg’s more manly smells, leaves a book on his bed called What the Heck Just Happened to My Body? When it’s time for the “Facts of Life” portion of advanced health, Greg fears his mom, who only lets him watch G-rated movies, won’t sign his permission slip. The school year starts out fine, even though the gym coach has begun requiring showers after PE. Home life will also be different because Mom is going back to school to take a few classes. He mentally prepares himself for a class called advanced health, in which he knows he will be learning top-secret stuff. Other kids his age are starting to attend boy-girl parties and post pictures of their exciting lives online. He’s on the outs with his best friend, Rowley, and doesn’t know anyone else who is best friend material. Middle schooler Greg Heffley faces challenges with the start of a new school year.

The ugly truth diary