Books Like Diary of a Wimpy Kid: 14 Funny Stories To Read Next

The true-to-life misadventures, epic grossness, silly illustrations, and laugh-out-loud humor in Diary of a Wimpy Kid get kids addicted to the series. But, when they’re done with the series, what other books are just as tempting?

Keep your Wimpy Kid fan reading with these totally awesome and outrageously funny read-alike books.

Squirm

by Carl Hiaasen

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Carl Hiaasen’s novels for young readers are full of hijinks and resourceful kids, like Squirm’s Billy Dickens, who treks from Florida to Montana — saving and evading wild animals the whole way — in search of his long-lost father.

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Max and the Midknights

by Lincoln Peirce

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Author of the fan-favorite Big Nate series Lincoln Peirce delivers another laugh-inducing illustrated novel, this time medieval-style. Max is desperate to be a knight, and she (yes, she!) finally gets a chance to prove herself when her Uncle Budrick is captured.

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Jake the Fake Series

by Craig Robinson and Adam Mansbach, illustrated by Keith Knight

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Jake fakes his way into the esteemed Music and Art Academy despite having no discernible musical or artistic genius. Is it possible that comedy can be considered an art? Kids will laugh out loud at this series co-written by actor and comedian Craig Robinson.

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Planet Omar Series

by Zanib Mian, illustrated by Nasaya Mafaridik

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In this highly acclaimed middle grade series, young readers follow the hilarious and imaginative Omar. Relatable and endearing Omar has to adjust to a lot of new things at once! A new town, a new school, and most of all the challenges of middle school. He worries everything could go wrong, but with the help of his family he just might conquer it all.

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The Last Kids on Earth Series

by Max Brallier, illustrated by Douglas Holgate

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Jack and his friends are the last humans to survive the monster apocalypse. Holed up in Jack’s tricked-out tree house, they’re living off junk food and having some fun with the monsters before finishing them off. Filled with side-splitting gross-out humor, readers of this series are in for a wild ride.

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Cookie Chronicles Series

by Matthew Swanson, illustrated by Robbi Behr

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Meet Ben, a kid who takes things literally! He also has a kind heart and a massive appetite for sweets. Follow along as Ben takes heeding his fortune cookie's advice to the next level, creating some hilarious highjinks in the process.

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Goldilocks, Go Home!

by Martha Freeman, illustrated by Marta Sevilla

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A snarky take on classic fairy tales, Goldilocks, Go Home! brings multiple stories together for a rollicking good time. Baby Bear, who’s changed his name to Bobby Bear, and Goldilocks, a theatrical tween, take turns recounting their escapades.

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Welcome to Wonderland Series

by Chris Grabenstein

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The bestselling author of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library has another hit with Welcome to Wonderland, a wacky series about two friends, P.T. and Gloria, who live in the greatest place on Earth: the Wonderland Motel. The potential for shenanigans is endless at this St. Pete's Beach getaway.

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Grossology

by Sylvia Branzei, illustrated by Jack Keeley

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Celebrate all things gross with disgusting facts and vile experiments. Want to make snot? You can now with this book! Yum.

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Cosmic Commandos

by Christopher Eliopoulos

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Twin brothers Jeremy and Justin may look the same, but they are nothing alike. So when they stumble upon a magic ring that brings their favorite video game to life, you know things aren’t going to go well. Crazy shenanigans, nonstop jokes, and awesomely expressive art make this graphic novel adventure a hit.

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Marvin Redpost Series

by Louis Sachar, illustrated by Adam Record

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Marvin Redpost is a delightfully relatable protagonist created by Newbery Honor-winning author Louis Sachar (known best for Holes and Wayside School). From a stressful dog-sitting gig to being quite certain he’s a born royal, Marvin’s life is full of rib-tickling dilemmas.

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Squids Will Be Squids

by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Lane Smith

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If you like sarcasm and snickering, you’ll love these crazy, illustrated stories. They aren’t your ordinary moral lessons. No, these tales are either new or retold stories with unexpectedly silly and downright weird “moral” lessons.

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Rumple Buttercup: A Story of Bananas, Belonging, and Being Yourself

by Matthew Gray Gubler

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You’ve never met a protagonist like Rumple Buttercup. The odd-looking fellow and his imaginary friend made of trash embark on a journey of self-acceptance and community in this charming book from Matthew Gray Gubler of Criminal Minds.

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Hilo Series

by Judd Winick

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The boy who crash-landed from space has gained a huge fan-following of young earthlings with this action-packed graphic novel series. Hilo and his new friends try to unpack the mysteries of his history, protect the planet from killer vegetables, survive school, and a whole lot more.

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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2024.