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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The Ice Cream Machine

by Adam Rubin

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For kids who enjoy reading shorter books, this collection of six stories from the creator of Dragons Love Tacos is just the thing. Each story is titled "The Ice Cream Machine," but each is unique, set in a different world and with a different plot. These hilarious and captivating stories will keep kids coming back for more. If your kid likes this book, check out the companion title, The Human Kaboom!

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Fantastic Frog and the Amazing Tad Lad

by Brandon Reese

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Send your young reader to a mutant-filled swamp with this hilarious graphic novel series starter. Starring an unusual superhero and sidekick duo, evil machines, and unconventional action sequences, this book will keep young readers glued to the page.

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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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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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The Misfits Series

by Lisa Yee, illustrated by Dan Santat

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Olive gets sent to a reforming arts school, only to realize that it’s a crime-fighting academy in disguise. Now, with the help of her equally talented misfit classmates, Olive must pull off a heist. Filled with laugh-out-loud humor and plenty of black-and-white illustrations, this book will have kids asking for the next installment.

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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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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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The Catastrophic Friendship Fails of Lottie Brooks

by Katie Kirby

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If your kid liked the diary-style writing and realistic storylines in Diary of a Wimpy Kid, they’ll love this bestselling novel. Accompanied by her stick figure doodles, Lottie documents each disastrous event in her first year of middle school. Readers will laugh along as Lottie navigates the ups and downs of puberty, friendship, and family.

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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2026.