10+ Best Comedy Books for 12-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect pick-me-up for your tween reader? Dive into our curated selection of comedy books for 12-year-olds that promise a bundle of laughs and endless entertainment. Whether your child is into quirky characters or hilarious misadventures, these books are sure to tickle their funny bone. Keep reading to discover our favorite comedy books that are just right for 12-year-olds!

Fun Comedy Books for 12-Year-Olds

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
  • Genre(s): Comedy, Realistic Fiction
  • Synopsis: Follows the daily mishaps and adventures of middle-schooler Greg Heffley, who navigates the challenges of school and family life in a diary format, complete with humorous drawings.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the awkward moments of growing up with a hilarious twist that keeps readers laughing and turning pages.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy humorous takes on everyday school and family scenarios.

• The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John, illustrated by Kevin Cornell
  • Genre(s): Comedy, Friendship
  • Synopsis: When prankster Miles Murphy moves to a new town, he discovers he's not the only master prankster around. Teaming up with Niles Sparks, they form a pranking duo to pull off the biggest prank ever seen.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun-filled, mischievous story that promotes creativity and the importance of friendship.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love a good prank and stories about friendship and rivalry.

• Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
  • Genre(s): Comedy, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Set in a bizarre school built 30 stories high, each chapter tells the eccentric, funny, and weird stories of a different student or teacher at Wayside School.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its absurd and surreal humor is perfect for tickling the funny bone of tweens who appreciate a lighter, more imaginative take on school life.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy quirky stories and imaginative tales that deviate from the norm.

• Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts, illustrated by Laura Park
  • Genre(s): Comedy, Realistic Fiction
  • Synopsis: Rafe Khatchadorian plans to break every rule in his school's oppressive Code of Conduct to make his sixth-grade year memorable, navigating bullies, crushes, and family dynamics along the way.
  • Why we recommend this book: It deals with middle school challenges in a humorous and relatable way, encouraging readers to find their own path and identity.
  • Perfect for: Middle schoolers who might feel out of place or overwhelmed, offering them laughter as a relief.

• The BFG by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Comedy
  • Synopsis: A young girl named Sophie meets the Big Friendly Giant (BFG) who, despite his intimidating appearance, turns out to be a kindhearted soul who is considered an outcast by the other giants because he refuses to eat boys and girls.
  • Why we recommend this book: The BFG combines whimsy, adventure, and humor, making it a captivating read that sparks imagination.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love stories of friendship and adventure, sprinkled with magical elements and humor.

Educational Comedy Books for 12-Year-Olds

• How to Be a Supervillain by Michael Fry
  • Genre(s): Comedy, Action, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Victor Spoil comes from a family of supervillains but is disappointingly good-natured. He embarks on a hilarious journey to discover if he truly has what it takes to be evil.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Moral reasoning, understanding of consequences, creative problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a laugh-out-loud adventure that flips the typical hero-villain dynamic, making readers question what it means to be truly 'bad' or 'good.'
  • Perfect for: Kids who love superhero stories and are ready to root for the underdog, even if he might be a villain.

• My Life as a Book by Janet Tashjian, illustrated by Jake Tashjian
  • Genre(s): Comedy, Realistic Fiction
  • Synopsis: Twelve-year-old Derek Fallon finds a way to make summer learning fun after he discovers a newspaper clipping with a mysterious backstory in his attic.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Reading comprehension, vocabulary, critical thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively combines text and cartoons, engaging reluctant readers and demonstrating that reading can be a fun exploration.
  • Perfect for: Tweens who might be reluctant readers but love a good mystery and humorous storytelling.

• The 13-Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths, illustrated by Terry Denton
  • Genre(s): Comedy, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: Andy and Terry live in an incredible treehouse with everything from a see-through swimming pool to a marshmallow machine. Their zany adventures are as wild as their imaginations.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, imagination, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a wildly imaginative and engaging book that encourages creativity and thinking outside the box.
  • Perfect for: Creative kids who dream of adventure and love stories that spark their imaginations.

• Frank Einstein and the Antimatter Motor by Jon Scieszka, illustrated by Brian Biggs
  • Genre(s): Comedy, Science Fiction
  • Synopsis: Kid-genius Frank Einstein loves figuring out how the world works by inventing gadgets. His quest to create an antimatter motor to win a science competition leads to hilarious mishaps.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Science knowledge, innovation, critical thinking
  • Why we recommend this book: It mixes humor with science, making complex concepts accessible and entertaining.
  • Perfect for: Young aspiring scientists and inventors who enjoy a good laugh along with their experiments.

• The Worst Class Trip Ever by Dave Barry
  • Genre(s): Comedy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Wyatt Palmer’s class trip to Washington, D.C., goes horribly and hilariously wrong when he suspects that his classmates have stumbled upon a terrorist plot.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Social studies, critical thinking, problem-solving
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s an action-packed comedy that keeps readers laughing while on the edge of their seats.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love a mix of humor and suspense, especially during what should be a routine school trip.

Challenging Comedy Books for 12-Year-Olds

• Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce
  • Genre(s): Comedy, Science Fiction
  • Synopsis: Liam, a 12-year-old who often gets mistaken for an adult, finds himself on a wild adventure when he impersonates a dad to win a space-themed contest and ends up in outer space.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book explores complex themes such as identity and responsibility, woven through a narrative that challenges young readers to think about adult roles and consequences.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a hilarious yet thoughtful exploration of growing up and the responsibilities that come with it, all set against the backdrop of a thrilling space adventure.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love space, adventures, and stories that make them laugh while making them think.

• The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry
  • Genre(s): Comedy, Family
  • Synopsis: A parody of classic children's books, this story follows the Willoughby children who, feeling unloved by their selfish parents, decide to become "deserving orphans" and embark on their own twisted family adventure.
  • Why this book is challenging: The satirical tone and sophisticated humor require a higher level of reading comprehension and an understanding of the nuances in classic literature.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers clever humor and a unique take on the concept of family dynamics, encouraging readers to think critically about the themes of classic and contemporary literature.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy satire and are maybe familiar with classic children's literature.

• Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
  • Genre(s): Comedy, Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Artemis Fowl, a 12-year-old genius and criminal mastermind, captures a fairy and holds her for ransom to exploit the magical Fairy People and restore his family's fortune.
  • Why this book is challenging: The intricate plot and complex language, including some high-tech and magical jargon, make it a stimulating read for advanced young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines magic, technology, and crime in a way that's both entertaining and intellectually engaging, offering a fresh twist on the fantasy genre.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love a good anti-hero and complex, plot-driven stories.

• The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Adventure, Comedy
  • Synopsis: Four gifted children are recruited by the eccentric Mr. Benedict to go on a secret mission at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where they must solve a series of puzzles and stop a global disaster.
  • Why this book is challenging: The puzzles and riddles within the story require critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are advanced for most 12-year-olds.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a brain-teasing adventure that promotes teamwork and intelligence, wrapped up in a humorous and suspenseful narrative.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love solving puzzles and mysteries, and who enjoy stories about teamwork and friendship.

• Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Realistic Fiction, Comedy
  • Synopsis: When seventh-grader Georges moves into a new apartment building, he meets Safer, a 12-year-old self-appointed spy. Georges becomes involved in Safer's espionage game, which gets more complicated and dangerous than he could have ever imagined.
  • Why this book is challenging: The themes of trust, deception, and personal growth are explored in a way that requires readers to consider moral complexities and the reliability of the narrator.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a compelling mix of mystery and humor, while also dealing with real-life issues like bullying and family problems.
  • Perfect for: Readers who appreciate a good mystery with psychological depth and real-life challenges.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Reading comedy books can be a blast, especially for 12-year-olds! Not only do these books keep reading fun, but they also help develop a sense of humor and an understanding of language nuances. Here are a few exercises that can help young readers get the most out of their comedy book adventures.

• Set Reading Goals
  • What it is: Decide on a number of pages or chapters to read each day.
  • How it helps: Encourages a consistent reading habit and helps complete books regularly.
  • Tips: Start with small, manageable goals and gradually increase them.

• Character Role Play
  • What it is: Act out scenes or dialogues from the book.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding of characters and improves engagement with the text.
  • Tips: Use costumes or props to make the role play more fun and immersive.

• Connect the Plots
  • What it is: Draw connections between different comedic situations in the book.
  • How it helps: Develops critical thinking and comprehension skills.
  • Tips: Use a notebook to sketch out how different plots intertwine.

• Laugh and Learn
  • What it is: Identify the jokes or scenes that made you laugh and discuss why they are funny.
  • How it helps: Improves understanding of humor and its use in writing.
  • Tips: Share your findings with friends or family to see if they found the same parts funny.

• Create a Comic Strip
  • What it is: Create a comic strip based on a humorous scene from the book.
  • How it helps: Encourages creativity and helps visualize the story.
  • Tips: Use simple drawing tools or digital apps designed for comic creation.

These exercises are not just about reading; they're about making reading a dynamic and interactive part of daily life. By engaging actively with the books, 12-year-olds can enjoy reading more deeply and develop a lifelong love for literature. So, grab that comedy book, pick an exercise, and let the fun (and learning) begin!