Best friends Wiley and Jeff are notorious for the clever nicknames they've given to people in their school. They've even named their own class “The Dim Bulbs” because they don't do as well in school as the other sixth grade class, dubbed “The Bright Lights.” Unfortunately, this has everyone in the class believing that they are incapable of doing well on a state reading test, which puts their teacher's job at risk. In addition, as Wiley and Jeff vie for the attention of Cassandra, a new student who defies all labels, their nicknaming turns to name-calling, their friendship is threatened, and the boys finally examine what's in a name.