Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules

Greg recounts the unfortunate tale of his summer vacations spent with his brother Rodrick. Rodrick, who knows all of Greg's secrets, uses this knowledge to torment him, setting the tone for their tumultuous relationship.

As the new academic year begins, Greg discovers that he is still labeled with the infamous 'Cheese Touch' from the previous year. In a clever act, he manages to offload this undesirable label onto a newcomer, thus spinning events in his favor.

With their family grappling with financial difficulties, their mother Susan introduces the 'Mom Bucks' system. This innovation aims to manage their resources better, yet Rodrick misuses the funds, while Greg tries to be more prudent.

Rodrick's science project becomes a source of irritation as he shows no interest in completing it. Instead, he attempts to pawn it off on family members, a decision that will come back to haunt him later.

After falling ill, Rodrick seizes the opportunity to throw a secret party while their parents are out. This event leads to unforeseen consequences that will impact both brothers deeply.

Desperate after failing to complete his history homework, Greg borrows an assignment from Rodrick at the cost of 20,000 Mom Bucks. This arrangement quickly unravels when Susan discovers the truth behind the fake currency.

The repercussions of Rodrick's secret party come to light when a photograph implicates him. Consequently, he receives a month-long grounding, while Greg faces punishment for not reporting him to their parents.

Despite family tensions, Rodrick focuses on preparing his band for an upcoming talent show, which frustrates their father Frank. In an effort to alleviate the situation, Frank decides to lift Greg's punishment early.

Greg attempts to repair his friendship with Rowley by participating in the talent show, but finds himself paired with first-grader Scotty Douglas. Their lackluster performance stands in stark contrast to Rodrick's high hopes.

Rodrick prematurely submits a lackluster science project, only to be told he must redo it after failing to meet the requirements. This pressure mounts as his dreams for band fame compete with his academic responsibilities.

With the talent show approaching, tensions flare between Greg and Rodrick. Rodrick hopes to attract record label interest with a performance video, which is thwarted by Susan's distracting commentary during the recording.

Rodrick reveals to Greg that he has stolen Greg's private diary, leading to a chaotic situation during a visit to their grandfather. Greg's frantic attempts to conceal the diary end in an unexpected mishap.

Following the diary incident, Greg unexpectedly gains popularity at school. This newfound attention changes how his peers view him, contrasting sharply with his previous status.

In a show of solidarity, Greg decides to help Rodrick with his science project. This collaboration stems from sympathy for Rodrick's talent show performance, which has gone viral, thanks in part to Susan's amusing dance routine.

The story culminates with the brothers finding a way to support each other despite their differences. Their journey through school, family tensions, and personal growth leads to a stronger bond between them.