Introduction
Middle grade boys looking for middle grade antics will love this list of hilarious stories similar to Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. With likeable, albeit unreliable narrators, these wacky books will keep readers laughing long after the last page is turned. Keep scrolling down to see all 10 of the books.
In Knuckehead, beloved funny man Jon Scieszka reveals what it was like growing up in a family of six boys. From cub scouts to Halloween costume hand-me downs to singing in a Catholic school choir with Sister Helen, the Scieszka brothers knew how to stir up trouble and good laughs. Recommended for ages 8-11. (Viking, Penguin, 2008. ISBN: 9780670011063) For more about the popular author and his support for reading for boys, read Elizabeth Kennedy's interview with Jon Scieszka and her article Spotlight on Author Jon Scieszka.
Origami Yoda is the oracle of all knowledge for a passel of middle schoolers. The tiny finger puppet sits upon the finger of a quiet, nerd-like character named Dwight who chooses to talk to his peers via his origami creation. To the surprise of his classmate Tommy and Harvey, Dwight’s (aka Yoda’s) ability to predict the final outcome of American Idol and know the date of a pop quiz is downright eerie. Tom Angleberger’s charming look at middle school angst is a runaway hit among middle school readers. Recommended for ages 8-12. (Amulet, 2010. ISBN: 9780810984257) Read Elizabeth Kennedy's book review of The Strange Case of Origami Yoda. Then, to learn more, read her overview of all of The Origami Yoda Books by Tom Angleberger.
Timmy Failure, the boy who is CEO and founder of Failure, Inc., a detective agency, tells the tale of his life as a detective with his business partner Total, who is a polar bear. Solving problems at school and in the neighborhood, dealing with his nemesis and keeping his mom in the dark about his activities result in antics of all kinds. This very funny book is filled with Stephan Pastis’ humor and his comic illustrations. Kids reading the book will find themselves frequently laughing uproariously. Recommended for ages 8-12. Candlewick Press published the book in 2013. The ISBN is 9780763660505. Read my book review of Timmy Failure-Mistakes Were Made.
Middle grade boys looking for middle grade antics will love this list of hilarious stories similar to Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. With likeable, albeit unreliable narrators, these wacky books will keep readers laughing long after the last page is turned. Keep scrolling down to see all 10 of the books.
1. Knucklehead: Tall Tales and Mostly True Stories about Growing Up Scieszka
In Knuckehead, beloved funny man Jon Scieszka reveals what it was like growing up in a family of six boys. From cub scouts to Halloween costume hand-me downs to singing in a Catholic school choir with Sister Helen, the Scieszka brothers knew how to stir up trouble and good laughs. Recommended for ages 8-11. (Viking, Penguin, 2008. ISBN: 9780670011063) For more about the popular author and his support for reading for boys, read Elizabeth Kennedy's interview with Jon Scieszka and her article Spotlight on Author Jon Scieszka.
2. The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger
Origami Yoda is the oracle of all knowledge for a passel of middle schoolers. The tiny finger puppet sits upon the finger of a quiet, nerd-like character named Dwight who chooses to talk to his peers via his origami creation. To the surprise of his classmate Tommy and Harvey, Dwight’s (aka Yoda’s) ability to predict the final outcome of American Idol and know the date of a pop quiz is downright eerie. Tom Angleberger’s charming look at middle school angst is a runaway hit among middle school readers. Recommended for ages 8-12. (Amulet, 2010. ISBN: 9780810984257) Read Elizabeth Kennedy's book review of The Strange Case of Origami Yoda. Then, to learn more, read her overview of all of The Origami Yoda Books by Tom Angleberger.
3. Timmy Failure-Mistakes Were Made by Stephan Pastis
Timmy Failure, the boy who is CEO and founder of Failure, Inc., a detective agency, tells the tale of his life as a detective with his business partner Total, who is a polar bear. Solving problems at school and in the neighborhood, dealing with his nemesis and keeping his mom in the dark about his activities result in antics of all kinds. This very funny book is filled with Stephan Pastis’ humor and his comic illustrations. Kids reading the book will find themselves frequently laughing uproariously. Recommended for ages 8-12. Candlewick Press published the book in 2013. The ISBN is 9780763660505. Read my book review of Timmy Failure-Mistakes Were Made.
4. Charlie Joe Jackson’s Guide to Not Reading by Tommy Greenwald
Finally, here is a book for non-readers. Charlie Joe Jackson is known among his peers as the boy who made it to middle school without ever reading a book. Life is good for Charlie until his best friend and co-conspirator Timmy decides to up his price in exchange for his part in the “no reading” scheme. Now, with his non-reading future threatened, Charlie must find a way to salvage his reluctant reader reputation. Meanwhile, he’ll give other readers his best tips on how to avoid reading. This is a hilarious book in a series from debut author Tommy Greenwald. Recommended for ages 10-12. (Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan, 2011. ISBN: 9781596436916)5. Big Nate: In a Class by Himself by Lincoln Pierce
Big Nate is a sixth grader who needs a little good luck in his life. One morning luck arrives as a message from a fortune cookie that reads, “Today you will surpass all others.” Instead of skipping school and his Social Studies test, Nate goes to school only to find himself in detention trying to figure out when his fortune will come true. Author Lincoln Peirce has created a best buddy for the infamous Gregg Heffley. Recommended for ages 7-11. (Harper Collins, 2010. ISBN: 9780061944345)6. Milo: Sticky Notes and Brain Freeze by Alan Silerberg
Milo is a self-proclaimed geek who just misses having his mom around. After moving to a new neighborhood and falling in immediate love with Summer Goodman, Milo navigates the halls of middle school antics. From the collection of post it notes on his locker from a girl he’s trying to avoid to the booger flavored Freezies he shares with his best friend Marshall, Alan Silberberg’s forlorn hero tries to laugh his way through a school year while struggling to walk through the fog of dealing with the loss of his mom. Recommended for ages 10-14. (Aladdin, An Imprint of Simon and Schuster, 2010. ISBN: 9781416994305)7. The Adventures of BeanBoy by Lisa Harkrader
With comic book styled illustrations, author Lisa Harkrader introduces readers to a new superhero: Tucker MacBean, the boy wants to save his family from falling apart while thwarting one evil villain-a bully babysitter named Sam Zawicki. When a comic book contest gives Tucker the opportunity to introduce his Beanboy character to the world, he suddenly discovers his own powers to deal with the challenges surrounding him. Recommended for ages 8-12. (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2012. ISBN: 9780547550787)8. My Life as a Book by Janet Tashjian, with Cartoons by Jake Tashjian
Reluctant reader Derek Fallon is looking forward to spending summer days making fruit grenades and bribing his babysitter, but when he discovers he’s at the center of a mysterious murder case his low-key summer suddenly turns into an action-adventure novel. Janet Tashjian’s light hearted humor and her son Jake’s sidebar stick figure cartoons transform Derek Fallon from an idle kid who’d do anything to avoid summer reading, into a semi-willing reader who can at least appreciate a good story. Recommended for ages 10-14. (Christy Ottaviano Books, Macmillan, 2010. ISBN: 9780805089035)9. Tales of a Sixth Grade Muppet by Kirk Scroggs
A sixth grader obsessed with Gonzo the Great, wakes up one morning to find he’s become a Muppet just like his idol. Danvers Blickensderfer, the misfit boy who suffers humiliation every day at school, suddenly becomes a star when he interns at the famous Muppet Theater. Kirk Scroggs' quirky story and delightful illustrations bring the Muppets back to life in this first book in a popular series. Recommended for ages 8-12. (Little, Brown and Company, Hachette Book Group, 2011. ISBN: 9780316183024)10. Wonkenstein: The Creature from my Closet by Obert Skye
Known to his friends as Rob and, to his embarrassment, called “Ribert” by his mother, this twelve-year old keeps a messy closet full of leftover science experiments and unwanted books. As the classic underachiever, Rob avoids responsibility and slides through each day until one morning he hears unusual noises coming from his closet. Upon opening the massively heavy door, he comes face to face with a mini-mannequin hybrid of Frankenstein and Willy Wonka: Wonkenstein! The little creature is determined to teach Rob a thing or two about being confident and overcoming fears even if that means enduring comical mishaps along the way. A former doodler and reluctant reader himself, author Obert Skye has created a fantastical funny story. Recommended for ages 9-11. (Christy Ottaviano Books, Macmillan, 2011. ISBN: 9780805092684)
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