10+ Best Funny Books for 15-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Looking for a way to keep your teen entertained and giggling through the pages? Finding the right funny books for 15-year-olds can be a game-changer, offering a perfect blend of humor and relatability that keeps them hooked. Whether they're into quirky characters, witty dialogues, or hilarious plots, there's something out there that will have them laughing out loud. Keep reading to discover our top picks for funny books that are sure to delight any 15-year-old reader!

Fun Funny Books for 15-Year-Olds

• Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
  • Genre(s): Comedy, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Follow the adventures and misadventures of Greg Heffley as he navigates middle school with the help of his journals.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's hilariously relatable, capturing the awkward moments of being a teenager. The illustrations complement the text, making it an easy and engaging read.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy humorous tales and those who might be reluctant readers.

• The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
  • Genre(s): Science Fiction, Comedy
  • Synopsis: Arthur Dent is swept off Earth just before it's destroyed to make way for a galactic freeway. What follows is an absurd and humorous journey through space.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its clever blend of science fiction and humor makes complex ideas accessible and entertaining, perfect for encouraging critical thinking and a love of reading.
  • Perfect for: Teens who enjoy quirky humor and sci-fi twists.

• Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
  • Genre(s): Young Adult, Comedy, Drama
  • Synopsis: Greg Gaines, an awkward high school senior, and his friend Earl find their lives forever changed after befriending a classmate who has been diagnosed with leukemia.
  • Why we recommend this book: It mixes humor with heartfelt moments, offering a unique perspective on high school life and the themes of friendship and mortality.
  • Perfect for: Readers looking for a funny yet touching story that tackles serious topics with a light-hearted approach.

• An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
  • Genre(s): Young Adult, Romance, Comedy
  • Synopsis: After being dumped by nineteen girls named Katherine, child prodigy Colin Singleton embarks on a road trip with his best friend to prove a mathematical theorem about predicting the future of any relationship.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's smart, witty, and speaks directly to the challenges and peculiarities of young love and self-discovery.
  • Perfect for: Teens who love smart humor and math or science geeks looking for a relatable protagonist.

• Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened by Allie Brosh
  • Genre(s): Graphic Novel, Comedy, Biography
  • Synopsis: This is a collection of hilarious and insightful stories from Allie Brosh’s life, illustrated with her unique and expressive drawings.
  • Why we recommend this book: It brilliantly combines visual humor with candid storytelling, making it a captivating read that also deals with serious subjects like depression.
  • Perfect for: Readers who appreciate a mix of comedy and introspection, and fans of graphic novels and memoirs.

Educational Funny Books for 15-Year-Olds

• The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, illustrated by Ellen Forney
  • Genre(s): Young Adult, Humor, Coming-of-Age
  • Synopsis: This novel follows Junior, a Native American teenager who leaves his troubled school on the Spokane Indian Reservation to attend an all-white high school in a neighboring town.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Cultural awareness, racial identity, social challenges, resilience
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a heartfelt, funny, and eye-opening look at the struggles of a Native American boy trying to break away from the life set out for him.
  • Perfect for: Teens interested in narratives that combine humor with significant social and personal challenges.

• Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
  • Genre(s): Young Adult, Satire, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A plane crash strands a group of beauty pageant contestants on a deserted island, leading to a wild and humorous survival story.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Satirical understanding, gender roles, societal expectations, survival skills
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a hilarious satire of beauty standards and the commercialization of teen culture, packed with adventure and unexpected twists.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy sharp wit and critiques of societal norms through humor.

• Going Bovine by Libba Bray
  • Genre(s): Young Adult, Fantasy, Comedy
  • Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Cameron Smith is diagnosed with mad cow disease and embarks on a road trip to find a cure, guided by a punk-rock angel and a dwarf.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Imagination, empathy, understanding of existential themes
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines absurdity with deep existential questions, making it both an entertaining and thought-provoking read.
  • Perfect for: Teens who like their humor mixed with surreal adventures and deep questions about life.

• King Dork by Frank Portman
  • Genre(s): Young Adult, Humor, Mystery
  • Synopsis: High school outsider Tom Henderson discovers his dead father’s copy of "The Catcher in the Rye," leading him on a journey of personal discovery and a mystery that involves secret codes and dark truths about his family.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Critical thinking, decoding, self-discovery, literary analysis
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a smart, funny, and at times poignant critique of high school life and literary culture.
  • Perfect for: Teens who feel like outsiders and those who enjoy decoding mysteries and analyzing literature with a humorous twist.

• I Am Not a Serial Killer by Dan Wells
  • Genre(s): Young Adult, Horror, Thriller, Comedy
  • Synopsis: John Wayne Cleaver is a diagnosed sociopath who lives above a mortuary owned by his family. Obsessed with serial killers, he must protect his town from a real monster without embracing his darker side.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Understanding of psychological concepts, moral dilemmas, suspense building
  • Why we recommend this book: It uniquely blends elements of horror with dark humor, providing a gripping yet funny narrative.
  • Perfect for: Teens fascinated by psychological thrillers and dark comedies.

Challenging Funny Books for 15-Year-Olds

• Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
  • Genre(s): Satire, Historical Fiction, War
  • Synopsis: Set during World War II, the story follows Captain John Yossarian, a U.S. Army Air Forces B-25 bombardier, and a host of other eccentric characters stationed on the fictional Mediterranean island of Pianosa. Yossarian is caught in a frustrating and paradoxical rule called Catch-22, where he can't be grounded from flight duty unless he's declared insane, but if he willingly continues to fly dangerous missions, his sanity can't be doubted.
  • Why this book is challenging: The novel’s non-linear narrative, complex characters, and intricate themes of absurdity and bureaucracy challenge readers to think critically about war and authority.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a masterful critique of war and bureaucracy, filled with irony, absurdity, and dark humor, which encourages advanced readers to explore complex themes.
  • Perfect for: Readers who love satirical humor and are interested in historical contexts, particularly military and war settings.

• A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole
  • Genre(s): Comedy, Southern Gothic
  • Synopsis: This novel centers around Ignatius J. Reilly, an educated but slothful 30-year-old man living with his mother in New Orleans in the early 1960s. Ignatius's hilarious adventures and misadventures are chronicled as he searches for work and attempts to avoid modernity, which he despises.
  • Why this book is challenging: The rich and ornate writing style, along with its deep allusions to medieval philosophy and literature, presents a challenging yet rewarding experience for readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers an uproarious look at society through the eyes of an unforgettable protagonist, combining intellectual humor with a critique of modern values.
  • Perfect for: Those who appreciate a blend of intellectual discourse and slapstick comedy, and anyone interested in detailed character studies.

• Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Comedy
  • Synopsis: The book is a comedy about the birth of the son of Satan and the coming of the End Times. There are attempts by the angel Aziraphale and the demon Crowley to sabotage the end of the world, having grown accustomed to their comfortable surroundings in England.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative intertwines complex theological and philosophical questions with a plot that spans different timelines and characters, requiring careful attention and critical thinking.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a witty and humorous take on the apocalypse, with sharp insights into human nature and divine bureaucracy.
  • Perfect for: Fans of fantasy and satire, and readers looking for a humorous yet profound story about good, evil, and everything in between.

• The Princess Bride by William Goldman
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Comedy
  • Synopsis: This tale whimsically combines adventure, romance, and wit to tell the story of Princess Buttercup, her beloved Westley, the evil Prince Humperdinck, and a cast of other bizarre characters. The story is presented as an abridged version of a non-existent book by S. Morgenstern, which Goldman comments on throughout.
  • Why this book is challenging: Its layered narrative structure, which includes both the main story and meta-commentary by the author, challenges readers to distinguish between the two and understand the satirical undertones.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a cleverly crafted tale that mixes humor, adventure, and romance in a way that is both entertaining and intellectually engaging.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy stories that blend genres and break the fourth wall with humor and clever commentary.

• Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore
  • Genre(s): Humor, Historical Fiction, Fantasy
  • Synopsis: The book is a fictional account of the missing years of Jesus Christ, as told by his best friend, Levi who is called Biff. The story provides a humorous reinterpretation of biblical events, imagined adventures, and the development of philosophical and religious tenets.
  • Why this book is challenging: It mixes biblical lore with modern slang and perspectives, requiring readers to navigate and appreciate the juxtaposition of ancient and contemporary elements.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a fresh and funny perspective on well-known religious stories, encouraging readers to think creatively and question historical narratives.
  • Perfect for: Those who enjoy a humorous twist on historical and religious themes, and readers who appreciate a blend of sacrilege and wit.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're diving into the world of funny books, why not make the experience even more enriching? Here are a few exercises tailored for 15-year-olds to help build and maintain good reading habits while enjoying those chuckles. These exercises can make reading more engaging and productive.

• Set Reading Goals
  • What it is: Decide how many books you want to read in a month or set a number of pages to read each day.
  • How it helps: Keeps you motivated and makes reading a consistent habit.
  • Tips: Start with small, achievable goals to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

• Create a Reading Nook
  • What it is: Designate a special corner or spot in your home just for reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances your focus and makes your reading time special.
  • Tips: Make sure it’s cozy, well-lit, and free from distractions.

• Join or Start a Book Club
  • What it is: Gather a group of friends who enjoy reading, and discuss a new book every month.
  • How it helps: Encourages you to read more and exposes you to different perspectives.
  • Tips: Choose books that all members will enjoy and take turns picking the book.

• Use a Reading App
  • What it is: Utilize any digital application that can track your reading progress and suggest new books.
  • How it helps: Keeps your reading organized and can help you discover similar funny books.
  • Tips: Set aside time to explore different features of the app to fully benefit from it.

• Read Aloud to Others
  • What it is: Share a funny book by reading it aloud to family or friends.
  • How it helps: Improves your reading and speaking skills, and makes the experience more enjoyable.
  • Tips: Change your tone and pace to make the story more engaging.

• Summarize Each Chapter
  • What it is: Write a brief summary of each chapter after you read it.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and helps you remember what you’ve read.
  • Tips: Keep your summaries concise and reflective of the key points.

• Visualize While Reading
  • What it is: Imagine the scenes in your mind as you read through the book.
  • How it helps: Increases your understanding and enjoyment of the book.
  • Tips: Pause after a few pages to picture the events before moving on.

So, why not try out these exercises? They're sure to not only boost your reading habits but also make your journey through each book a lot more fun. Happy reading!