40+ Funny Chapter Books for Kids (Ages 6-12 Years)

As I have shared previously, my children both love a good dose of humor in their books. This started with picture books and has continued as they moved into chapter books and novels, which has accumulated in this list of over 40 funny chapter books for kids.

These are comedic chapter books filled with humor alongside relatable characters, lots of family, friend and school references that readers will also relate to (often shared with more than a little cheekiness). There’s lots to laugh about within these pages!

While some of the featured titles are mre  suitable for younger independent readers, there is also plenty to appeal to children in the later years of primary/elementary/middle school. Plus, many of the titles listed are part of a series – these titles offer plenty to encourage your child to keep reading, so the list is probably more like 101 funny chapter books for kids than the 40+ listed!

RELATED: Looking for funny books for kids of different ages? Check out our lists of funny picture books, more funny picture books and funny graphic novels for kids.

Funny Chapter Books fo Kids

40+ Funny Chapter Books for Kids

As with all of the lists in our Chapter Books for Kids collection, each title in this list links to an Amazon and/or Book Depository page (these are affiliate links and I may earn a small commission at no cost to you) where you can find more information and reviews for titles you might not be personally familiar with.

 The Bad Guys Episode 1 (book 1 of the series) by Aaron Blabey The Bad Guys
The Bad Guys series is a great read for both those starting out with chapter books and reluctant readers, but the voracious young readers I know love them too. This hilarious series is about a set of ‘bad’ animals – a wolf, piranha, snake and shark who want to go good and the misadventures that follow! Age 6+ years.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Little Lunch: Triple Treats (book series) by Danny Katz Little Lunch
Little Lunch, aka snack time, is only fifteen minutes long, but it’s always full of surprises! Rory forgets his snack and does something that shocks everyone, Battie thinks he might have ruined Grandparents Day, and Melanie decides to hold a bake sale to raise money for homeless puppies but she’s selling lumpy cake that smells weird! Age 6+ years.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Clementine (book 1 of the series)  by Sara Pennypacker Clementine
Clementine is having a DISASTROUS week. On Monday she’s sent to the principal’s office for cutting off Margaret’s hair. On Tuesday, Margaret’s mother is mad at her. On Wednesday, she’s sent to the principal, again. On Thursday, Margaret stops speaking to her…. and so it goes on! But maybe can she find a way to make it better.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
The 13 Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths The 13 Storey Treehouse
This combination of the ultimate, children’s hideaway (with everything from a a bowling alley to a tank full of man-eating sharks, a library full of comics and a secret underground laboratory, a vegetable vaporiser and a marshmallow machine that follows you around and automatically shoots your favourite flavoured marshmallows into your mouth! and wildly, unlikely adventures make for a wonderfully funny read. Age 7+ years.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Pippi Longstocking (book 1 of the series) by Astrid Lingren Pippi Longstocking
Tommy and Annika have a new neighbour. Her name is Pippi Longstocking and she has crazy red pigtails, no parents to tell her what to do, a horse that lives on her porch, and a flair for the outrageous that seems to lead to one adventure after another! Age 7+ years.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
WeirDo (book 1 of the series) by Anh Do Weirdo: funny chapter books for kids
Weir Do’s the new kid in school. With an unforgettable name, a crazy family and some seriously weird habits, fitting in won’t be easy but it will be funny!
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Squidge Dibley Destroys the School by Mick Elliott Squidge Dibley Destroys the School
An easy read with a hilarious cast of characters, the students of a grade six class (that can’t keep a teacher!) and a new student – Squidge Dibley, and he’s about to change everything. Age 7+ years.
Available: Amazon
Diary of a Soccer Star (book 1 of the series) by Shamini Flint Diary of a Soccer Star
Marcus is a maths whiz who is not at all good at sport. His dad is a self-help author who thinks Marcus can achieve anything he sets his mind to and each book in the series explores Marcus’ endeavours with a new sport – everything from swimming to soccer to taekwando, with hilarious results. Age 7+ years.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

List continues below.

The World’s Worst Children (books 1, 2 and 3) by David Walliams Worlds Worst Children
Ten cautionary tales aboud a delightfully dreadful cast of characters! In fact, these are the World’s Worst Children! Five beastly boys and five gruesome girls! Like Sofia Sofa – a TV super-fan so stuck to the sofa that she’s turning into one. Or Dribbling Drew – a boy whose drool gets him into trouble on a school trip.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Sam Wu Is Not Afraid of Ghosts (book 1 of the series) by Katie & Kevin Tsang Sam Wu is Not Afraid of Ghosts
Sam Wu is the bravest scaredy-cat in the world! When a trip to the Space Museum goes terrifyingly wrong, Sam begins a mission to prove to the school bully, and all of his friends, that he is a fearless space adventurer.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Funny Kid for President (first book in the series) by Matt Stanton Funny Kid for President
When Max is blamed by his teacher for the sneaky poo found in the class storeroom (which he vigorously denies), he ends up running for Class President as a means to prove his innocence. But Max isn’t the ideal candidate and Mr Armstrong is determined to sabotage his campaign so Max is going to need to work out how to use his assets to his advantage!
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
James and the Giant Peach by Ronald Dahl James and the Giant Peach
When tragedy strikes James is sent to live with two nasty aunts. He’s very lonely until one day something peculiar happens. At the end of the garden a peach starts to grow and grow. Inside that peach are seven insects waiting to take James on a magical adventure. 8+ years.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
The Bolds (book 1 of the series) by Julian Clary The Bolds
Mr and Mrs Bold are just like you and me, except they are hyenas! They’ve kept it under wraps until now but a nosy neighbour might just give them away. Can they stop him??!
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Juno Jones, Word Ninja (book 1 in the series) by Kate Gordon Juno Jones Word Ninja
Muttonbird Bay School might be closing. FOREVER. Juno Jones loves her school. But the Men in Suits want to close Muttonbird Bay Primary down. And there’s only one thing Juno and her classmates can do to stop it -read. But Juno Jones is A Kid Who Doesn’t Like Reading! Will she be able to learn to like it in time to save her beloved school?
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Brobot (book 1 in the Sally Tinker Inc series) by James R. Foley Brobot
We were fortunate to attend a workshop by author James R Foley last year and he held the attention of a room full of eight-year-olds for an hour or more. They hung off his every word.. at least, when they weren’t laughing at his stories and jokes! Brobot tells the story of Sally Tinker, the world’s foremost inventor under the age of 12, and what happens when Sally decides to build her very own, much-improved, robot version of a baby brother- complete with built-in cupcake oven! Age 8+ years.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
The Adventures of Nanny Piggins (book 1 in the series) by R.A. Spratt Nanny Piggins
Mr Green is the stingiest man in the world so it is of no surprise that he is having difficulty securing the services of a nanny for his three children. Until Nanny Piggins arrives. She’s a pig. And a rather unconventional nanny given her propencity for painting portraits of herself and eating a lot. Especially chocolate!
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Marge in Charge (book 1 in the series) by Isla Fisher Marge in Charge
Siblings Jemima and Jake Button don’t know what to make of their new babysitter, Marge! She’s not tall enough to ride a rollercoaster and, when she first arrives, she’s dressed like a grandma and looks very serious. But as soon as Mommy and Dad are gone, mischievous Marge lets down her rainbow hair and the adventures begin. Age 8+ years.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Diary of a Wimpy Kid (book 1 of the series) by Jeff Kinney Diary of a Wimpy Kid
As he enters sixth grade, Greg Heffley dreams of being the most popular kid in middle school but a series of bad decisions, unfortunate events and a big dose of bad luck sees him struggles to fit in. Age 8+ years.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid by Jeff Kinney Diary of an Awesome Friendly Kid
Rowley’s best friend Greg has chronicled his middle school years in 13 Diary of a Wimpy Kid journals. Now it’s Rowley’s turn to tell his side of the story. Whilst also telling Greg’s story along the way – after all, Greg says one day he will be rich and famous and the world will need to know how he managed it! But Rowley’s stories about Greg might not be quite what his friend had in mind!
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Adventure by Jeff Kinney Rowley Jeffersons Adventure
From the imagination of Rowley Jefferson comes an adventure of epic proportions! Join Roland and his best friend, Garg the Barbarian, as they leave the safety of their village and embark on a quest to save Roland’s mum from the White Warlock. Will our heroes survive such a perilous mission?
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

List continues below.

The Brilliant World of Tom Gates (book 1 of the series) by Liz Pichon Tom Gates book series
An award winning series about Tom Gates, a likeable 10 year old who loves to draw, who his teachers describe as ‘lacking direction’ and whose plans always seem to go awry and get him into trouble. Age 9+ years.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
The Last Kids on Earth (book 1 of the series) by Max Brallier The Last Kids on Earth
Adventure, humour, monsters and zombies – what’s not to love! The books tell the story of Jack and his friends as they survive the aftermath of a monster apocalypse – hiding out in a super cool treehouse! Age 9+ years.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Flora and Ulysses by Kate Dicamillo Flora and Ulysses
The wonderfully engaging, humorous story of 10 year old, natural-born cynic, Flora and her friend Ulysses, a squirrel who suddenly acquires superpowers. The two of them become instant soulmates, with Ulysses a wonderful antidote to the family difficulties Flora faces. Age 9+ years.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
The Terrible Two (book 1 of the series) by Mac Barnett The Terrible Two: funny chapter books for kids
Miles doesn’t want to move. And he certainly doesn’t want to start at a new school. In his old school, everyone knew Miles as the town’s best prankster, but Miles quickly discovers that his new school already has a prankster…and a great one at that! It’s prankster against prankster in an epic war of trickery. Age 9+ years.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Eddy Popcorn’s Guide to Parent Training (book 1 of the series) by Dee White Eddy Popcorn
The school holidays have started and Eddy is about to turn twelve. Then disaster strikes – Eddy is grounded for not doing his homework! Faced with not seeing his mates, for the whole holidays, Eddy puts all of his frustration into a helpful book for kids: EDDY POPCORN’S GUIDE TO PARENT TRAINING.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Mr Bambuckle’s Remarkables (book 1 of the series) by Tim Harris Mr Bambuckles Remarkables
The new teacher in Room 12B is somewhat unusual – who else has a teacher who rides a unicycle whilst flipping bacon in a pan in a dazzling blue suit? Tricks and magical illusions aside, Mr Bambuckle is a fabulous teacher, getting to know each and every one of his new students and their own interesting and funny ways, while making learning more than a little exciting and lots of fun!
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Utterly Me, Clarice Bean (book 1 of the series) by Lauren Child Clarice Bean
It’s not easy to concentrate at school when mysterious things are happening all around you. In fact, Clarice Bean is starting to feel just like her favorite heroine – Ruby Redfort, schoolgirl detective. Clarice and her best friend, Betty Moody, are planning to ace their book project about Ruby and win the class prize, until Betty disappears into thin air! Where has she gone? Age 9+ years.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
The Wizard in My Shed: The Misadventures of Merdyn the Wild The Wizard in My Shed
Merdyn the Wild is from the Dark Ages. He’s the world’s greatest Warlock (don’t call him a wizard), banished to the 21st century for bad behaviour, and he’s about to create a whole load of trouble for Rose, aged 12. Age 9+ years.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Gangsta Granny (book 1 of the series) by David Walliams Gangsta Granny David Walliams
Ben is bored beyond belief after he is made to stay at his grandma’s house. She’s the boringest grandma ever: all she wants to do is to play Scrabble, and eat cabbage soup. What Ben doesn’t know is 1) His Granny was once an international jewel thief. 2) All her life, she has been plotting to steal the crown jewels. And now she needs Ben’s help! Ages 9+ years.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Pizza Cake and Other Funny Stories by Morris Gleitzman Pizza Cake and Other Funny Stories
This book of crazy, silly short stories is an easy read for those times when you just want something to make you giggle. Morris Gleitzman has written loads of other fun books too, as well as some exploring more serious themes for older tweens.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Tales of Fourth Grade Nothing (book 1 in the series) by Judy Blume Tales of Fourth Grade Nothing
Peter, aged 10, shares the story of the often embarrassing situations he is placed in when his parents need his help to wrangle his little brother – the always funny, sometimes infuriating, 3 year old known as Fudge. Age 9+ years.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Sideways Stories from Wayside School (book 1 of the series) by Louis Sacher Sideways Stories from Wayside School
Wayside School is a crazy, mixed up place for the absurd and the hilarious! It was supposed to have been built with thirty classrooms all in a row, instead it was built with all thirty on top of each other-thirty storeys high! It’s full of unusual characters too. Meet Mrs Gorf, the meanest teacher in the world, terrible Todd who always gets sent home early and John who can only read upside down! Age 9+ years.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell How to Eat Fried Worms
Fried worms, boiled worms, worm sandwiches, worms with ketchup and peanut butter! Billy must eat fifteen worms in fifteen days, or lose his bet with Alan and Joe. This just might be the most disgusting bet ever! 9+ years.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
The Twits by Roald Dahl The Twits
Mr. and Mrs. Twit are the smelliest, nastiest, ugliest people in the world. They hate everything- except playing mean jokes on each other, catching innocent birds to put in their Bird Pies, and making their caged monkeys, the Muggle-Wumps, stand on their heads all day. But the Muggle-Wumps have had enough. They don’t just want out, they want revenge!
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

List continues below.

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda (book 1 of a series) by Tom Angleberger The Strange Case of Origami Yoda
Dwight talks to his sixth grade classmates via a wise and insightful origami finger puppet of Yoda. Dwight’s classmate Tommy wonders how Yoda can be so smart when Dwight himself is so clueless?!! Tommy and his friends need to work out if Origami Yoda is real, or is it just Dwight trying to play a prank. If they don’t find the answer soon, something very bad could happen to Tommy! Age 10+ years.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Does your tween or teen love Star Wars? Check out this list of 21 Star Wars Books.
Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja (book 1 of he series) by Marcus Emerson Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja
My name is Chase Cooper, and I’m a 6th grade ninja. I was just another scrawny kid until a group of ninjas recruited me into their clan. It was a world of trouble I wasn’t prepared for, which is why I kept this diary – to warn other kids about the dangers of becoming a ninja! Age 10+ years.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
The Misadventures of Max Crumbly: Locker Hero (book 1 of the series) by Rachel Renee Russell Max Crumbly
Max is about to face the scariest place he’s ever been – middle school! Can Max channel the powers of his favourite superheroes to survive the school bully, Thug? Another series that had Miss 9 eagerly waiting for the next release. Age 10+ years.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Horrible Histories book series by Terry Deary Horrible Histories
This is one series of history books that proves history is absolutely not boring! In fact, it was just plain disgusting, bloodthirsty, gory, silly and downright nasty – which is exactly why kids love them! Over 30 titles in the series, exploring different time periods and historic events. Age 10+ years.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Funny Girl: Funniest. Stories. EVER. edited by Betsy Bird Funny Girl short stories
A collection of uproarious stories, hilarious comics and rib-tickling wit from 25 of today’s funniest female writers for kids.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Toffle Towers: Fully Booked (book 1 of the series) by Tim Harris Toffle Towers
Chegwin Toffle is only ten years old but he isn’t going to let that stop him from turning his family’s run-down hotel into a success. Chegwin is determined to transform Toffle Towers from a boring hotel for grown-ups into an incredibly exciting destination for children (and their families).
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
The Unteachables by Gordon Korman The Unteachables
Mr. Kermit is just putting his time in until retirement. He is saddled with the worst class in the school – these are the kids that everyone has pretty much given up on. The Unteachables never thought they’d find a teacher who had a worse attitude than they did. And Mr. Kermit never thought he would actually care about teaching again. Together they will experience mayhem, destruction, and maybe even a shot at redemption. Age 10+ years.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository
Funniest Stories by Paul Jennings Funniest Stories
 A fun collection of 25 very funny short stories from one of Australia’s most prolific writer of funny books for kids. These are sure to have you laughing out loud! Age 10+ years.
Available:  The Book Depository
Dork Diaries (book 1 of the series) by Rachel Renee Russell Dork Diaries
Nikki Maxwell is starting eighth grade at a new school and her very first diary is packed with hilarious stories – including the tales of her epic battle with her mom for an iPhone, meeting her new soon-to-be BFFs Chloe and Zoey, falling for adorably sweet crush Brandon, dealing with her zany little sister Brianna’s antics, and the clashes with mean school girl. Age 10+ years.
Available: Amazon | The Book Depository

Do you have a funny chapter book that’s super popular with the kids in your classroom or home?

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3 Comments

  1. I would love to see more listings like this, even for the next age group up. My boys want to read “funny” books and are not into drama and adventure so much. I want to give them what they like to encourage reading for pleasure. Funny books past a certain age group are hard to find!

  2. Martin Godfrey says:

    Otis Dooda – Strange but true, bye Ellen Potter is truly hilarious! My 8 yo read it, loved it. I read it to my 5 yo, loved it. The second book is also pretty great.

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