Peter, who is tired of having to keep mischievous two-year-old Fudge out of trouble, discovers that his pet turtle is missing.

 The book focuses on a 9-year-old boy. His name is Peter Hatcher. Peter, frustrated with the horrendous behavior demonstrated by his annoying 2-year-old brother, Farley Drexel "Fudge" Hatcher, who frequently goes unpunished. Peter becomes frustrated with Fudge because he often disturbs Peter's pet turtle, Dribble, which he won at his best friend Jimmy Fargo's birthday party. Furthermore, Fudge throws nonstop temper tantrums, goes through a finicky phase of abstaining from eating altogether, and emulates Peter's behavior, throwing tantrums if it is prohibited. Nevertheless, their parents, Warren and Anne, dote on Fudge, to Peter's anger and frustration.

For months, Fudge's antics continue: .......