Books by genre
Top 14 funny books for kids ages 6 to 12
Funny books are how many reluctant readers become readers. The list covers silly early chapters, school comedies and bigger comic novels. Some include gross-out humor or older British slang.
Titles were chosen from award winners, ALSC notable lists and long-running library favorites, then each title and author was checked against Open Library in Oct 2026. Checked 2026-10-25. Nobody paid to be here. The buy links are plain search links, not affiliate links, so Peabody earns nothing from them.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Jeff Kinney · Ages 8-12
Greg Heffley's middle-school year in doodles and sarcasm. A draw for kids who skip chapter books.
Watch for: Greg is selfish; some mild gross jokes.
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Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing
Judy Blume · Ages 7-10
Peter Hatcher's two-year-old brother Fudge causes trouble. A classic family comedy.
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Frindle
Andrew Clements · Ages 8-12
Nick invents a new word for 'pen' and sets off a school feud. Smart and fun.
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Sideways Stories from Wayside School
Louis Sachar · Ages 7-10
A school built thirty stories high, with odd teachers and students. Short stories read aloud well.
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Fantastic Mr Fox
Roald Dahl · Ages 6-9
A fox outwits three mean farmers to feed his family. Short and quick.
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Matilda
Roald Dahl · Ages 7-11
A small girl with powers faces a cruel headmistress. Funny and dark.
Watch for: Adults are cruel.
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The Terrible Two
Mac Barnett and Jory John · Ages 8-12
Two pranksters at a school share a prank war. Illustrated.
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You're a Bad Man, Mr. Gum!
Andy Stanton · Ages 7-10
A strange British tale of a mean man and a girl named Polly. Nonsense in short chapters.
Watch for: British slang.
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Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid
Megan McDonald · Ages 6-9
Stink, Judy Moody's little brother, believes he is shrinking. Easy and funny.
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Dragonbreath
Ursula Vernon · Ages 7-10
A dragon who can't breathe fire goes on adventures with his friend. A hybrid of comic and prose.
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Origami Yoda
Tom Angleberger · Ages 8-12
A paper finger puppet gives advice to a middle-school class. Told as a case file.
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Fortunately, the Milk
Neil Gaiman · Ages 6-10
A dad returns with milk and a tale of aliens and pirates. A picture-book length chapter book.
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The Bad Beginning
Lemony Snicket · Ages 9-13
Book 1 of A Series of Unfortunate Events: three orphans meet the terrible Count Olaf. Dry, dark comedy.
Watch for: Misfortune and peril; parents die in the first book.
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The Last Kids on Earth
Max Brallier · Ages 8-12
Jack Sullivan and his friends survive monsters in a treehouse. Plenty of illustrations.
Watch for: Cartoon monster violence.
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