Make ‘Em Laugh: 13 Classic Comedies for Middle Graders

by Iva-Marie Palmer

Photography by Seana Williamson

Have you noticed that kids’ books have gotten awfully heavy lately? Thankfully, across the middle-grade landscape there’s still plenty of light-heartedness to be had. Some of these comic novels were my faves growing up and they’re each a solid dose of good medicine — not only in a big-picture kind of way but also as a remedy for reluctant readers.

  • Chomp

    by Carl Hiaasen

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    You can’t go wrong with Carl Hiaasen’s hilarious environmental mysteries, and Chomp is no exception. Between a missing reality television star, hopelessly lost rescue teams, animal wrangling, and a girl named Tuna (like the fish), Wahoo Cray has his hands full. Bizarre events and laugh-out-loud moments make this book a must-read for comedy fans.

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  • Dogs Don't Tell Jokes

    by Louis Sachar

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    You know Louis Sachar from his book Holes, but he has written several other uproariously funny books that your kids will love. In Dogs Don’t Tell Jokes, a boy named Gary wants to be a stand-up comedian and enters a competition at his school. Nothing goes according to plan, and Gary gets left wondering if he has what it takes to be a comedian after all.

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  • Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

    by Judy Blume

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    Blume is known as the queen of teen angst, but her middle grade novels are just as brilliant. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing — published in 1972 and the first of five Fudge books — introduces kids to the quick-witted Peter Hatcher, his annoyingly cute but frustrating little brother Fudge, and their neighbor, Sheila Tubman.

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  • Dragonbreath #1

    by Ursula Vernon

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    This side-splitting series about Danny Dragonbreath is a favorite for middle grade readers everywhere. This goofy little dragon delivers plenty of laughs, whether he is working on a school project, befriending a jackalope, or rescuing family members from evil fairies.

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  • Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library

    Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library

    by Chris Grabenstein

    A combination of adventure, puzzle solving, and rib-tickling humor makes this modern classic popular with middle grade readers. When the famous puzzle creator Mr. Lemoncello builds an escape room-style library, Kyle can’t wait to spend the night there. But when the doors lock and the game starts, Kyle realizes he’s in over his head.

  • Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

    by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake

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    Although frequently regarded as a fantasy novel, a careful read of the Dahl classic reveals humor nestled throughout (sort of like the sweet center of a Willie Wonka creation). First published in 1964, the delights of this tale extend longer than an Everlasting Gobstopper.

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  • Timmy Failure

    by Stephan Pastis

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    This highly illustrated series is perfect for kids who loved Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Dork Diaries. Timmy is a nerdy boy who solves crimes in the most hilarious way possible. He bumbles from one clue to the next, making readers laugh at every wrong turn he takes. Young readers will giggle through all seven books in the series.

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  • Al Capone Does My Shirts

    by Gennifer Choldenko

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    This classic book rolls history and hilarity into one fantastic story. Take a step back in time to 1935 when Alcatraz was a prison and several families lived and worked there. Readers follow twelve-year-old Moose Flanagan’s shenanigans on the little island. Even though he tries to stay out of trouble, that seems impossible when most island inhabitants are convicted criminals.

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  • Knucklehead

    by Jon Scieszka

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    Though fairly recent (it published in 2008), Scieszka’s story is an instant classic for the sweet and funny way it weaves the tale of how the hilarious author got to be so funny. Scieszka’s recap of childhood antics and escapades — he is the second of six brothers — are laugh-out-loud-worthy and might even influence would-be kid humorists.

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  • Utterly Me, Clarice Bean

    by Lauren Child

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    Originally published in 1999, the bestselling Clarice Bean series has made children laugh for over two decades. In the first book, a class project goes from fun to fiasco when Clarice’s best friend (and project partner) disappears and gets replaced with the class trouble-maker. Kids who enjoy humorous, realistic fiction will find much to love about Clarice Bean.

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  • Babymouse Series

    by Jennifer L. Holm, illustrated by Matthew Holm

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    This award-winning and bestselling classic graphic novel series delivers plenty of fun and giggles for young readers. Whether Babymouse is conducting science experiments, performing in a musical, or heading to camp, her adventures will bring a smile to your child’s face.

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  • Pippi Longstocking

    by Astrid Lindgren, illustrated by Ingrid Vang Nyman, translated by Susan Beard

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    If your kid enjoys reading older classics, slip a copy of Pippi Longstocking into their reading stack. They’ll get caught up in this wacky story about a red-haired girl with upside-down braids and an unusual sense of adventure.

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  • The Westing Game

    by Ellen Raskin

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    Yes, this one is known for being a perfect and satisfying mystery novel for the tween set BUT it also scores points for sheer cleverness. With sharp characters and witty wordplay, this 1978 novel has garnered many online fan reviews asking author Raskin for more.

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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2022.