Theyearis1991,andSpudMilton'slongwalktomanhoodisstillcreepingalongatanunnervinglyslowpace.Approachingtheripeoldageoffifteenandstillnosignsofthemuchanticipatedball-drop,Spudiscomingtotermswiththefactthathemaywellbeafreakofnature.Withamotherhell-bentonemigrating,afathermakingakillingoutofsellinghomemademoonshine,andadementedgrandmothercalledWombat,thenewyearseemstoofferlittleexceptextremeembarrassmentandmoremortifyingMiltonmadness.ButSpudisreturningtoaboardingschoolwhereheisnolongertheyoungestorthesmallest.Hisdormitorymates,knownastheCrazyEight,haveanunusualnewmemberandhishousehasanewclutchoffirstyears(theNormalSeven).IfSpudthinkshissecondyearwillbeabreeze,however,heisseriouslymistaken.Heissoonbesetwithwomentrouble,coercedintomisguidedlate-nightadventures,andfundshisdreamsofafamouscareeronthestageintattersafterlandingthepartoftheDoveofPeaceinadisastroushouseplayproductionofNoah'sArk.Totopitalloff,boardingmasterSpareribandhisprefectsDeathbreathandEarthwormareconcoctinganalmightyplantogetSpudandtheCrazy8expelled!Hilarious,bitter-sweet,tragicandreal,joinSpudashetakesanothertentativestepforwardwhileallaroundhimthemadnesscontinues...