Humor—Middle
School
Byars. The Animal, the Vegetable, and John D. Jones
"His" girls and "her" son are thrown together on a sort-of family vacation. Together they do their best to spoil their parents' romance.
Conford. Genie with the Light Blue Hair
Jeannie doesn't believe in fantasy until she receives a magic lamp from Aunt Jean on her 15th birthday. Her genie's attempts to fulfill her wishes brings a comedy of errors. Also read We Interrupt This Semester for an Important Bulletin and The Things I Did for Love.
A book of dark humor that looks at being a non-athletic teen in America. A chubby 14-year old boy tries to find his appropriate athletic "slot" at jock camp.
Marcy is an overweight high school freshman who is having a difficult time at home and lacks self-esteem. A new teacher tries to help her learn about herself. When the teacher is fired, the students ban together to support her. Also try Danziger's Earth to Matthew, The Pistachio Prescription, There's a Bat in Bunk Five, and This Place Has No Atmosphere.
Gantos. Heads or Tails: Stories from the Sixth
Grade
Jack’s diary helps him deal with his problems which include dog-eating alligators, a terror for an older sister, a younger brother who keeps breaking parts of himself, and next door neighbors who are really weird. See also Jack on the Tracks and other books about Jack.
Gilbreth and Carey. Cheaper by the Dozen
This is the hilarious story of a family with 12 children and parents who are motion-study engineers. Every chapter has a funny incident involving the children and their parents. Then read the sequel, Belles on Their Toes.
Amusing stories about Herriott's country veterinary practice and his personal life.
Kerr. Dinky Hocker Shoots Smack
The story has a serious subject, but is filled with humor. Dinky's mother is so busy helping everyone else that she has no time for Dinky. Dinky tries to get her attention by writing the phrase on walls and in other public places.
Korman. No More Dead Dogs
Eighth grade football hero Wallace Wallace is sentences to detention attending rehearsals of the school play where, in spite of himself, he becomes wrapped up in the production and begins to suggest changes that improved not only the play but his life as well.
Korman. Losing Joe's Place
Jason and his two friends move into Jason's brother's apartment and manage to wreak havoc in it during one funny and memorable summer.
Rennison. Angus, Thongs, and Full-Frontal Snogging
Presents the humorous
journal of a year in the life of a fourteen-year-old British girl who tries to
reduce the size of her nose, stop her mad cat from terrorizing the neighborhood
animals, and win the love of handsome hunk Robbie.
Really funny. Told through journal entries. Misty Joyce
P.
Rockwell. How to Eat Fried Worms
What would you do
for fifty dollars? Billy would buy the minibike he's been dreaming of. What's
more, Alan knows Billy can't resist a bet, no matter how revolting
This is a very funny book. Ryan M.
Twain. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
It's a classic for a good reason. This story of Tom growing up in a small town on the banks of the Mississippi River is both funny and full of adventure.