Stretching the truth causes problems for twelve-year-old Melvin Allen Burger, known to his friends as Booger, when he tries to earn money to replace his wrecked bike. It's the summer of 1957 and he needs a bike in order to spend time with his friends. Walking Mr. Finelli's dog causes plenty of problems for Booger and the neighbors. Things only get worse when he turns to babysitting mischievous twin boys to make money, especially when one of them thinks he can fly. When those jobs fail to earn him enough money, he resorts to baking which ends up in smoke. Booger makes one last attempt to make money by helping a fussy elderly widow named Mrs. Prescott with odd jobs around her house. He tries hard not to mess up. In the end, Booger must decide whether or not to tell the truth and risk losing his job and his last chance for a bike.