Jeff Kinney's laugh-out-loud Diary of a Wimpy Kid is an insanely popular book series for readers in 3rd to 7th grade. Kids who enjoy Greg Heffley's antics and musings are looking for more funny books like Diary of Wimpy Kid to make them laugh again. And why not? Who doesn't love a good chuckle?
The books on this list span a wide range of style and genres. It includes illustrated diary-format books, graphic novels, and even a couple of classics! The list is designed to get kids interested in reading, not only books similar to Wimpy Kid, but introduce them to new titles that will expand their reading horizons.
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Books for Readers who like Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Need a printable copy of this book list? You'll find one at the end of the post.
NEW KID by Jerry Craft
Perhaps this title isn't outrageously hilarious like the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, but it's earned its place on this book list. After I brought this book home from the library, my son loved it and read it ten times in a row! I'm not surprised because after I read it, I realized how nuanced this story is. Art-loving Jordan navigates a new school as one of the few kids of color in his seventh grade class. Craft's story offers much to discover, even after multiple readings. There is now a sequel! Class Act. Ages 8 and up.
I, FUNNY, A MIDDLE SCHOOL STORY (series) by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein
Patterson has a number of middle school-themed books but this series has sent my son into fits of giggles. Filled with comic-style illustrations, Jamie narrates his tale of his determination to become a stand up comic. He has a lot going on at home, but he decides to enter and win a comedy contest and won't let the judges give him the pity vote just because he is in a wheelchair. Ages 8 and up.
MORE: If your kids like funny books, be sure to check out my list of 100 funny chapter books for kids
WAYLON! ONE AWESOME THING (series) by Sara Pennypacker
This is a great choice for readers who like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, on the younger side. Waylon is a super charming 4th grader who saves his money to buy a special notebook in which to record all his ideas for inventions. But at school the "cool kid" is dividing the class into teams. How will this affect his friendships? And what about that bully? And his sister is acting so weird! I adored this book and can't wait to read more. Ages 7 and up.
13 STORY TREEHOUSE (series) by Andy Griffiths, illustrated by Terry Denton
This is the most amazing tree house ever! I mean, it includes a machine that shoots marshmallows into your mouth! The boys who live in the tree house have some seriously wacky adventures and loads of illustrations bring everything to life. Each book in the series adds several stories to the house. Ages 7 and up.
THE TERRIBLE TWO (series) by Jory John and Mac Barnett, illustrated by Kevin Cornell
There's an epic war of tricks and pranks when Miles moves to Yawnee Valley and finds out the school already has a master prankster in residence: Niles. Miles and Niles join forces to become the "Terrible Two" in an attempt to pull off the most legendary prank ever. This book is a high interest, easy to read novel for kids who might be classified as "reluctant readers." Ages 8 and up.
THE QWICKPICK PAPERS (series) by Tom Angleberger
I know you are going to be put off by the title, but anything by Tom Angleberger is worth checking out (take a look at the Origami Yoda series, too!). This series is written with diary entries, illustrations, notes, cartoons, etc. and is an engaging, funny read for middle schoolers. Three friends form the "Qwikpick Adventure Society" and in this opening book in the series their mission is to see the local "poop fountain" (a sewage treatment area). Honestly, it's pretty funny, even with all the gross-ness. In the next books in the series, the kids try to top their poop fountain field trip success. Ages 8 and up.
THE TAPPER TWINS (series) by Geoff Rodkey
My son loves this series and checks it out repeatedly from the library! Claudia and Reese are engaged in a prank war at their private New York City school. The writing is funny and engaging and full of outrageous humor, which I'm guessing Wimpy Kid fans will love! Ages 9 and up.
STICK CAT (series) by Tom Watson
What's not to love about a book narrated by an adventurous, fun-loving cat? Numerous shenanigans and a plethera of black and white line drawings on almost page will appeal to Wimpy Kid readers. Ages 7 and up.
FAKE MUSTACHE by Tom Angleberger
7th grader Lenny Flem Jr.'s friend, Casper, comes into an unexpected windfall and purchases a suit and fake mustache. Shortly afterwards, a string of robberies takes place and Casper makes a grab for world domination. Sound absurd enough for you? One of the surprising twists of this books is that half-way through, the narration switches from the Lenny (male) to Jodie (female) and somehow Angleberger makes it all work brilliantly. Ages 7 and up.
ROLLER GIRL by Victoria Jamieson
Graphic novels are a great choice for middle grade readers. Both my boys love thought Roller Girl was "awesome." For once, Astrid decides to try something different than her best friend. Instead of dance camp, she signs up for roller camp. Roller camp proves to be challenging, physically and emotionally and it is by participating in roller derby that Astrid discovers her inner strength. Ages 8 and up.
MORE: Graphic novels for grades 4-8
HOW TO EAT FRIED WORMS by Thomas Rockwell
Raise your hand if you read this 1973 book when you were a kid! This is a smart, funny, suspenseful book which paints a realistic portrait of boys in a state of "war" against each other. Billy accepts a challenge to eat 15 worms in 15 days. The prize is a whopping $50. (Big money back in 1973!) As Billy thinks of new ways to make the worms palatable, his competitors come up with increasingly complex ways to outwit him. Ages 8 and up.
HARRIET THE SPY by Louise Fitzhugh
Modern kids can enjoy the classics, too! When her journal is stolen and her peers learn the unflattering things she wrote about them, Harriet finds herself an outcast. What makes Harriet so wonderful is that she is a real person. She is not always (maybe not even often) pleasant to everyone, she makes mistakes, but she is smart and resourceful. Awesome. Ages 8 and up.
WONDERSTRUCK by Brian Selznick
This may seem like an unusual choice for this book list. I like to include a wild card, or two and this is not a funny book. I included it because of the unique reliance upon illustrations to tell a story. Two narratives come together. Ben's story of his longing for his father is told through text. Rose's dreams of an actress is told through pictures. The stories are 50 years apart but when they come together at the American Museum of Natural History, kids will gasp in wonder. Ages 9 and up.
STANFORD WONG FLUNKS BIG TIME (series) by Lisa Yee
Stanford loves basketball, but he won't be able to play anymore if he doesn't improve his grades. Plus, he worries that Emily Ebbers won't like him anymore if that happens. To top it off, he has to be tutored by an annoying girl genius, Millicent Min! Ages 8 and up.
THE BOLDS (series) by Julian Clary, illustrated by David Roberts
I read this very weird and very funny book out loud to my 7-year=old. A pair of hyenas assume the identity of a British couple, leave their home in Africa and move into a home in England. They raise a pair of pups and spend their time avoiding having their true identities revealed, sussing out the strange neighbor and rescuing fellow hyenas from the local zoo. Ages 8 and up.
MORE: Books for kids who like Roald Dahl
WEDGIE AND GIZMO (series) by Suzanne Selfors, illustrated by Barbara Fisinger
I had great fun drawing upon my silly voices superpower when reading this hilarious book aloud to my son! The narrative voice alternates between Gizmo, the self-proclaimed evil genius guinea pig, and Wedgie the rather dim-witted corgi who become part of the same household when their families merge. Selfors absolutely nails the personalities of the two creatures and your children will be rolling on the floor in tears of laughter. You'll never be able to say the phrase, "furry potato," with a straight face again. Ages 7 and up.
JULIUS ZEBRA (series) by Gary Northfield
I'm embarrassed to say that it was one of my son's 9-year-old friends who noticed that title character is a pun on "Julius Ceasar," and not me! This is a silly, ridiculous, tale of a "definitely not a stripy horse" who is taken from the African savanna and transported to Ancient Rome, where he must train as a gladiator. With that premise, you can imagine that this book is one big zany adventure. The text is peppered with many black and white drawings and speech bubbles and kids won't stop reading until they finally reach the end, after which they will pick up the next book in the series. Ages 7 and up.
FRAZZLED! (series) by Booki Vivat
Abbie Wu is starting middle school and she is looking for something to be "her thing." Abbie is also a little bit high strung and so when she and her friends decide to institute a lunch time revolution, the results are hilarious. Young readers who like their books to have a heavy dose of doodling will love this book - very refreshing and honest about the struggles of early teens trying to find their place, as well as all the embarrassing moments that take place on the journey. Ages 8 and up.
MORE: Books for Kids who Like Percy Jackson
MPN says
Wonderful list! thank you! I appreciate your annotations, it helps to paint a picture 🙂
Karen K. says
Thanks for the list! Just what I was looking for! 🙂