Trouble was something fairly common for "the Thunderbolt Kid", as throughout his childhood his teachers were unamused by his activities. In fact, Bryson recounts how he really was uninterested in getting up before noon, thus not even going to school very often. Despite his unique behavior, Bryson tells his story through the eyes of a child, filled with hilarious observations about the world — from "Lumpy" Kowalski's curious nickname to the joy that was to be had in the department stores.
The story focuses on a child's perception of a mischievous boy, highlighting his unconventional behavior and humorous observations about life.  Bryson's narrative is told from the perspective of a child, offering a lighthearted and engaging account of childhood experiences.