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

Looking for a way to keep your tween entertained and giggling? You're in the right spot! Our roundup of humorous books for 12-year-olds is packed with stories that are sure to bring the laughs. Whether your child is into quirky characters, clever plots, or just plain silliness, we've got something that will tickle their funny bone. Keep reading to discover our favorite picks that promise to lighten up their bookshelf!

Fun Humorous Books for 12-Year-Olds

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
  • Genre(s): Humor, Fiction, Graphic Novel
  • Synopsis: The book chronicles the adventures and misadventures of Greg Heffley as he navigates middle school life, dealing with family, friends, and his own somewhat misguided ambitions.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's incredibly relatable and laugh-out-loud funny, making it a great pick to engage reluctant readers and show them that reading can be fun.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy comics and stories about school life.

• The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John, illustrated by Kevin Cornell
  • Genre(s): Humor, Fiction
  • Synopsis: This book follows Miles Murphy, a new kid in town known for his pranks. He meets his match in Niles Sparks, another aspiring prankster, and together they plan the ultimate prank.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's full of clever humor and creative pranks that will keep readers laughing and turning the pages.
  • Perfect for: Children who love mischief and clever tricks.

• The BFG by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Humor
  • 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: It combines whimsy, adventure, and humor, making it an enchanting read that captures the imagination.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy fantastical stories with a touch of whimsy and moral lessons.

• Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
  • Genre(s): Humor, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Set in an extraordinarily mixed-up school, this book features a collection of absurd and hilarious tales about the students and teachers at Wayside School.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its absurd humor and quirky characters are perfect for keeping readers entertained and engaged.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy stories that are a bit out of the ordinary and those with a quirky sense of humor.

• Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts, illustrated by Laura Park
  • Genre(s): Humor, Realistic Fiction
  • Synopsis: Rafe Khatchadorian plans to break every rule in his school's oppressive code of conduct while navigating the challenges of middle school.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a humorous take on middle school struggles, encouraging readers to find the fun in challenging situations.
  • Perfect for: Middle schoolers and any young reader facing or about to face the trials and tribulations of middle school life.

Educational Humorous Books for 12-Year-Olds

• The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry
  • Genre(s): Humor, Fiction
  • Synopsis: This satirical tale follows the Willoughby siblings, who, inspired by classic orphan stories, decide they would be better off if they were orphans and hatch a plan to "orphan" themselves.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of satire, comprehension of plot development, vocabulary expansion
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a clever and witty parody of traditional children's literature, offering both humor and a smart commentary on the genre.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy a mix of classic storytelling and modern humor.

• The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, illustrated by Jules Feiffer
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Humor
  • Synopsis: Young Milo finds a magical tollbooth in his room and drives through it in his toy car, ending up in a fantastical world. His journey teaches him about the importance of learning and the joy of discovery.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Critical thinking, vocabulary, appreciation for language and mathematics
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines adventure with word play and clever puns, making it not only fun but also educational.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love adventure with a side of intellectual challenge.

• The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Magic, Humor
  • Synopsis: In this story, a young girl named Luna is accidentally enmagicked as a baby and raised by a witch. As Luna grows, her magic becomes increasingly difficult to manage.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Reading comprehension, emotional intelligence, understanding of themes like sacrifice and love
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a beautifully written, magical tale that's packed with humor and heart.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy magical stories and learning about complex emotions.

• Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Skottie Young
  • Genre(s): Humor, Science Fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: A father goes to the store to buy some milk and returns with wild tales of aliens, space-time travel, pirates, and dinosaurs.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Imagination, creative thinking, narrative skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a wildly imaginative and hilarious book that demonstrates the power of storytelling.
  • Perfect for: Children who delight in fantastical adventures and outrageous scenarios.

• Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Alcatraz Smedry discovers on his thirteenth birthday that he's part of a family with magical talents and gets caught up in a battle against evil librarians who control information.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Critical thinking, problem-solving, understanding of literary tropes and satire
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an exciting, funny, and cleverly metafictional series that makes reading an active and thought-provoking experience.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who like their fantasy adventures with a good dose of humor and cleverness.

Challenging Humorous Books for 12-Year-Olds

• Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Humor
  • Synopsis: Artemis Fowl, a twelve-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 novel features complex plots and high-level vocabulary that challenge young readers' comprehension and critical thinking skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a thrilling blend of magic, technology, and crime that keeps readers engaged while expanding their imagination and vocabulary.
  • Perfect for: Advanced young readers who enjoy a mix of fantasy and science fiction with a clever twist.

• 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 the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where they must solve a series of puzzles and stop a global crisis.
  • Why this book is challenging: The intricate puzzles and mysteries provide mental stimulation that requires advanced logic and reasoning skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's intellectually stimulating and full of suspense, encouraging readers to think critically and solve problems creatively.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love puzzles, mysteries, and using their brains to solve complex challenges.

• Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket
  • Genre(s): Gothic Fiction, Humor, Mystery
  • Synopsis: The Baudelaire orphans face trials and tribulations attempting to uncover dark family secrets, all while evading the clutches of the evil Count Olaf.
  • Why this book is challenging: The series uses a sophisticated vocabulary and introduces concepts of irony and satire.
  • Why we recommend this book: It uniquely blends dark humor with a compelling narrative, teaching resilience and critical thinking.
  • Perfect for: Readers who appreciate a darker tone mixed with humor and a love for rich, engaging storytelling.

• The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Dave McKean
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Horror, Humor
  • Synopsis: After his family is murdered, a toddler wanders into a graveyard where ghosts raise him and grant him supernatural abilities to protect him from the killer still trying to find him.
  • Why this book is challenging: The novel deals with complex themes of life and death and utilizes a rich, descriptive language.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a captivating, eerie story that mixes suspense with whimsical elements, providing a profound narrative experience.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are not only ready for more advanced reading but also for handling deeper and somewhat darker themes.

• The Amulet of Samarkand (The Bartimaeus Trilogy, Book 1) by Jonathan Stroud
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Humor
  • Synopsis: A young magician's apprentice, Nathaniel, summons the ancient djinni Bartimaeus but soon finds himself in over his head with magical politics and dangerous adventures.
  • Why this book is challenging: It features complex narrative structures, including footnotes and multiple perspectives, requiring advanced reading skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines magic, wit, and a thrilling plot, making it an engaging and intellectually rewarding read.
  • Perfect for: Advanced readers who enjoy detailed world-building and a mix of humor with their fantasy.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to dive into the world of humorous books and want to develop great reading habits along the way, you're in the right spot. Here are some fun exercises tailored for 12-year-olds that will not only enhance your reading experience but also keep you giggling. Let’s get started!

• Set Reading Goals
  • What it is: Decide on a number of pages or chapters to read each day.
  • How it helps: Keeps you motivated and creates a sense of achievement.
  • Tips: Start with small, achievable goals and gradually increase them.

• Create a Reading Nook
  • What it is: Designate a special corner in your home just for reading.
  • How it helps: Provides a comfortable and distraction-free environment.
  • Tips: Add comfy seating, good lighting, and maybe even a small shelf for your books.

• Book Club with Friends
  • What it is: Start a book club where you and your friends read the same humorous book.
  • How it helps: Enhances understanding through discussion and makes reading a social activity.
  • Tips: Rotate who picks the book each month to keep it exciting and fair.

• Illustrate a Scene
  • What it is: Draw or paint a scene or character from the book you're reading.
  • How it helps: Boosts comprehension and retention by translating words into visual imagery.
  • Tips: Don’t worry about artistic perfection; focus on how the scene makes you feel.

• Read Aloud Sessions
  • What it is: Set aside time to read aloud from your humorous book to your family or friends.
  • How it helps: Improves pronunciation and builds confidence in public speaking.
  • Tips: Try using different voices for different characters to make it more fun.

• Keep a Reading Journal
  • What it is: Maintain a journal to note down thoughts and favorite quotes from your reading.
  • How it helps: Helps establish a routine and keep track of progress.
  • Tips: Make it a habit of filling out the journal every day.

• Summarize the Story
  • What it is: After finishing a book, write a brief summary of the plot.
  • How it helps: Reinforces memory and understanding of what you read.
  • Tips: Include what made you laugh and why it was funny.

So there you have it! With these exercises, you're all set to turn your reading time into an adventure full of laughs and learning. Remember, the key is to keep it fun and light. Happy reading!