6 MG Books for Kids Who Love to Laugh

Funny Girl: Funniest. Stories. Ever., Edited by Betsy Bird 
This book has everything—and it’s all funny. It combines hilarious essays, short stories, poems, and even comics from 25 of today’s most popular female children’s authors. Contributors include Alison De Camp, Lisa Graff, and Cece Bell. It’s an especially smart choice for any young girls looking for a relatable and laugh-out-loud book, as there is a focus on the funny side of growing up as a girl.

Jake the Fake Keeps it Real, by Craig Robinson, Adam Mansbach, and Keith Knight 
Breathtakingly hilarious, this middle grade novel follows Jake, a middle-schooler who’s faked his way into the Music and Art Academy for the gifted and talented. Jake is just one of many quirky characters in this art school, so his only hope to survive may just be outweirding the weirdos. Amusing illustrations litter the book, bringing it to life and enhancing the humor.

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl: Squirrel Meets World (The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl novels #1), by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale
Superheroes may be everywhere right now, but there is no superhero more fun (or funny) than Squirrel Girl. In this prequel to the comics, we follow fourteen-year-old Doreen Green, aka Squirrel Girl. Full of fun and optimism, Doreen must navigate life as a teenager while also attempting to navigate life as a superhero. Her text messages with the Avengers will have your kids laughing out loud.

Well, That Was Awkward, by Rachel Vail
Middle school relationships can be complicated—a fact middle grade readers know very well. But that awkwardness and weirdness can make for some funny moments, which is exactly what this grin-inducing book is about. It follows Gracie as she tries to woo AJ for her best friend Sienna by crafting Sienna’s texts. Unfortunately, Gracie also likes AJ. It’s a modern Cyrano story told through the lens of text messages and middle schoolers that is as awkward as it is hilarious.

Frazzled: Everyday Disasters and Impending Doom, by Booki Vivat
Life can be funny even when it’s hard—a fact that Abbie Wu already knows. When she starts middle school, she’s not excited. Her friends all have a thing, and she’s sick of being stuck in the middle. Middle child and now middle school? This is a funny story about the everyday hardships and challenges of growing up when you deeply feel all your emotions. The illustrations highlight Abbie’s feelings, helping you connect even more with her (already relatable) struggles.

The Brilliant World of Tom Gates, by Liz Pichon
Budding middle-school comedian and storyteller Tom Gates, loves to draw and doodle—when his teachers aren’t watching, of course. He’s just a normal kid who’s desperate to impress the girl he likes (Amy) and snag tickets to see his favorite band. But his grumpy big sister has a way of making life hard. With funny illustrations and a pitch-perfect voice, this book will keep middle grade readers laughing all night.