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

Looking for a way to keep your 10-year-old giggling through their reading time? You're in the right place! Our roundup of funny books for 10-year-olds is packed with stories that promise to tickle their funny bones and keep the pages turning. Whether they love crazy adventures or quirky characters, there's something here that will have them laughing out loud. Keep reading to discover our favorite picks that are sure to bring smiles and laughter to your young reader!

Fun Funny Books for 10-Year-Olds

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
  • Genre(s): Humor, Fiction, Graphic Novel
  • Synopsis: Follow the adventures and misadventures of middle-schooler Greg Heffley as he navigates the challenges of school and family life, documented in his diary with drawings and handwritten notes.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's hilariously relatable and presents everyday challenges through a humorous lens, which keeps young readers engaged and entertained.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy a good laugh and those who might be a little hesitant about reading.

• The BFG by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A young girl named Sophie meets the Big Friendly Giant (BFG) who, unlike other giants, is kind and charming. Together, they embark on an adventure to stop the other giants from eating children.
  • Why we recommend this book: Dahl's imaginative storytelling combined with Blake's expressive illustrations creates a magical world that encourages creativity and empathy.
  • Perfect for: Children who love fantasy and stories filled with whimsy and heart.

• Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
  • Genre(s): Humor, Action, Graphic Novel
  • Synopsis: Two prankster kids, George and Harold, hypnotize their mean school principal and turn him into Captain Underpants, a superhero with good intentions but questionable intelligence.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's packed with action and laugh-out-loud moments, and the creative illustrations add to the fun. It also encourages reluctant readers with its unique blend of text and comics.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who appreciate slapstick humor and superhero themes.

• Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
  • Genre(s): Humor, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Wayside School was supposed to be built with thirty classrooms all on one floor; instead, it was built sideways with the rooms stacked one on top of another—except for the 19th floor, which doesn’t exist. The stories here are about the bizarre events and characters in this strange school.
  • Why we recommend this book: It features a collection of absurd and surreal tales that spark imagination and make readers think outside the box.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy quirky stories and those who think differently.

• Mr. Popper's Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater, illustrated by Robert Lawson
  • Genre(s): Humor, Fiction
  • Synopsis: The life of Mr. Popper, a house painter fascinated by the Antarctic, changes dramatically when he receives a penguin as a gift, leading to a series of fun and chaotic events.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines humor with a touch of adventure and the charm of unexpected friendships, making it a delightful read.
  • Perfect for: Animal lovers and any child who dreams of the most unusual pets and adventures.

Educational Funny Books for 10-Year-Olds

• The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, illustrated by Jules Feiffer
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Humor
  • Synopsis: Young Milo is bored with everything until a mysterious tollbooth appears in his room. Driving through it, he finds himself in a strange land of puns and puzzles, learning the importance of words and numbers on his journey.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Vocabulary expansion, mathematical concepts, critical thinking, and appreciation of language.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a witty and whimsical adventure that makes learning fun and highlights the value of education.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love wordplay, puzzles, and imaginative adventures.

• Frindle by Andrew Clements, illustrated by Brian Selznick
  • Genre(s): Realistic Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: Fifth-grader Nick Allen invents a new word, "frindle," for what is commonly known as a pen, sparking a series of events that captures the nation's attention.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creative thinking, vocabulary, understanding of media influence.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages creativity and shows the power of words and ideas.
  • Perfect for: Young innovators and any child interested in language and its impact.

• The World According to Humphrey by Betty G. Birney
  • Genre(s): Humor, Animal Fiction
  • Synopsis: Humphrey, a classroom hamster, shares his observations of the students and teaches them important lessons, even though they don't know he's doing it.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Social skills, empathy, responsibility.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's told from an adorable hamster's perspective, which provides humor and insights into human behavior.
  • Perfect for: Animal lovers and kids who enjoy stories from an animal's point of view.

• My Life as a Book by Janet Tashjian, illustrated by Jake Tashjian
  • Genre(s): Humor, Realistic Fiction
  • Synopsis: Derek Fallon discovers the joy of reading as he uses a series of humorous lists, illustrations, and adventures to avoid summer reading assignments.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Reading comprehension, creativity, and engagement with text.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great book for reluctant readers, making reading fun and relatable.
  • Perfect for: Kids who might feel hesitant about reading and those who enjoy a good chuckle while learning.

• The 13-Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths, illustrated by Terry Denton
  • Genre(s): Humor, Adventure, Graphic Novel
  • Synopsis: Andy and Terry live in a massive treehouse with 13 stories of fun features like a see-through swimming pool and a marshmallow machine. They get into various silly and exaggerated adventures.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Imagination, creativity, problem-solving.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's packed with fantastical adventures and creative illustrations that capture the imagination.
  • Perfect for: Creative thinkers and any child who dreams of living in a treehouse.

Challenging Funny Books for 10-Year-Olds

• Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Skottie Young
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: A father goes out to get milk for his children's breakfast and returns with wild tales of aliens, pirates, and time travel.
  • Why this book is challenging: The story includes sophisticated humor and complex narrative structures that require higher-level comprehension skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a thrilling adventure with lots of laughs and a fantastic display of imagination that will keep readers engaged.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love a good story mixed with a bit of science fiction and fantasy.

• The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry
  • Genre(s): Humor, Satire
  • Synopsis: This novel parodies classic orphan stories as the Willoughby children plot to become orphans and their neglectful parents plan to get rid of them.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book's satirical tone and play on classic literature themes introduce complex literary concepts.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a humorous twist on traditional tales and encourages critical thinking about the nature of family and stories.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy clever, ironic humor and exploring different genres.

• The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Adventure, Humor
  • Synopsis: Four gifted children are recruited by the eccentric Mr. Benedict to go on a secret mission at a mysterious institute.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features intricate puzzles and mysteries that require logical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a brain-teasing adventure that promotes teamwork and intellectual curiosity.
  • Perfect for: Young detectives and puzzle solvers who thrive on challenges.

• The Name of this Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch
  • Genre(s): Mystery, Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: Two adventurous friends, Cass and Max-Ernest, discover a mysterious box and get wrapped up in a thrilling adventure involving a magician's diary and the secret of immortality.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative is filled with codes, puzzles, and complex vocabulary that engage advanced readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a captivating mystery with lots of humor and brainy twists that keep readers guessing.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love secrets, codes, and unraveling mysteries.

• Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Alcatraz Smedry discovers he's part of a family with magical talents and must battle a cult of evil librarians who control the flow of information.
  • Why this book is challenging: The novel incorporates a complex fantasy world with its own rules and terminology that demands careful reading and comprehension.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines action, humor, and a unique magical system in a way that's both entertaining and intellectually stimulating.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy fantastical worlds and quirky, self-aware humor.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're diving into the world of funny books for 10-year-olds, you're in for a treat! Not only are these books a blast to read, but they also offer a great opportunity to develop some solid reading habits. Here are a few exercises that can make reading even more beneficial and enjoyable for young readers:

• Set Reading Goals
  • What it is: Decide on a number of pages or chapters to read each day.
  • How it helps: Helps in developing a consistent reading habit and achieving a sense of accomplishment.
  • Tips: Start with small, achievable goals and gradually increase them.

• Read Aloud Sessions
  • What it is: Take turns reading pages or chapters aloud with a parent or a friend.
  • How it helps: Improves pronunciation and helps in understanding the text better.
  • Tips: Use different voices for different characters to make the reading session more fun.

• Book Character Dress-Up
  • What it is: Dress up as a favorite character from the book.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension by bringing the characters to life and deepening the connection with the story.
  • Tips: Plan a small performance based on the book to share with family or friends.

• Create a Comic Strip
  • What it is: Draw a comic strip based on a funny scene or chapter from the book.
  • How it helps: Encourages creativity and helps in visualizing the story’s events.
  • Tips: Share your comic strip with classmates or use it as a bookmark for your current read.

• Discussion Group
  • What it is: Form a group to discuss the book once everyone has finished reading.
  • How it helps: Promotes critical thinking and enhances understanding through discussion.
  • Tips: Prepare a few questions about the book to guide the discussion.

These exercises aren't just fun; they're stepping stones to becoming a lifelong reader. So, grab your favorite funny book, pick one of these activities, and start turning those pages! Happy reading!