Griffin is a 12-year-old only child, a new seventh grader at Cedarville Middle School. He is surrounded by a cadre of extremely loyal friends. Just as Griffin has faithful companions, he has a variety of equally unflagging opponents. Some, such as Darren, are simply jealous students. Others, his new principal in particular, resist him based on his reputation as a wily troublemaker. Some authorities, notably a police detective, are suspicious of him because he has previously outplayed them. Griffin’s parents are long suffering. They believe in the innocence of their son and also believe he is his own worst enemy and their constant headache.

Readers may find that Griffin’s most noteworthy characteristic is his persistence, revealed in an unwillingness to accept the dictates of adult authority figures. His friends can talk him out of his ideas, but he perpetually ignores the decrees of parents, educators, police, and a judge. Griffin and his friends often refer to him as “The Man With The Plan,” a reference to his constant practice of devising “operations” meant to achieve a particular purpose. For instance, the intent of his first official plan, “Operation Justice,” is to find out who has framed him for stealing the Super Bowl ring.