The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John

Miles Murphy is depressed. He's forced to leave his friends and the ocean behind, because his mom is moving to Yawney Valley, a city that's proud of its cows. He's determined to establish his reputation as the greatest prankster at his new school, but he's surprised by what he finds on his first day. Someone has moved the principal's car to the top of the stairs, blocking the front entrance to the building. No one knows how it got there, but the principal blames Miles. Miles is impressed by this prank by an unknown student, so he starts making his own plan that will make everyone realize he is the top prankster. He manages to get hundreds of people, including the principal, to attend a huge birthday party for a student who doesn't exist, but things don't turn out the way he expected. The unknown student asks Miles to team up with him, but Miles declares a prank war instead!

I'm guessing most readers will enjoy the pranks. It's funny how all of Mile's plans get messed up, and the other student always bests him. The principal is a funny character. He's a fifth-generation principal at the school, and his son is a bully. The principal is obsessed with rules and cows. He even gives Miles a book full of cow facts that's important to the climax of the book. There aren't any deep messages about life, but it's a fun story.