10+ Best Humorous 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 spot! Our latest roundup features the best humorous books for 10-year-olds, each packed with laughs, quirky characters, and delightful plots that are sure to keep those young readers entertained. Keep reading to dive into our top picks and find the perfect page-turner that will have your kids laughing out loud!

Fun Humorous 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, family life, and friendships, all documented in his diary.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's filled with humor and relatable situations, making it a great choice for encouraging reluctant readers to enjoy reading.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love a good laugh and those who might be a bit hesitant about reading.

• 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: Dahl’s imaginative storytelling combined with Blake’s whimsical illustrations capture the essence of fantasy and humor, perfect for sparking creativity.
  • Perfect for: Creative thinkers and young dreamers who enjoy stories of friendship and adventure.

• Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey
  • Genre(s): Humor, Action, Graphic Novel
  • Synopsis: Two fourth-graders, George Beard and Harold Hutchins, create a superhero named Captain Underpants, who accidentally becomes real when their principal is hypnotized into believing he’s the hero.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its unique blend of humor and superhero action is particularly appealing to children, making reading fun and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy comics and superhero tales with a good dose of silliness.

• Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
  • Genre(s): Humor, Fiction
  • Synopsis: Set in a bizarre school built vertically with one classroom on each floor, this book tells the quirky tales of the students and teachers at Wayside School.
  • Why we recommend this book: Its absurd and surreal humor is perfect for stimulating the imagination and keeping readers entertained from start to finish.
  • Perfect for: Kids who appreciate the odd and unusual, and anyone who enjoys stories that are out of the ordinary.

• Matilda by Roald Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: Matilda is a brilliant and sensitive child, but her parents are too caught up in their mundane lives to notice her. At school, she meets a kind-hearted teacher and uses her telekinetic powers to overcome challenges.
  • Why we recommend this book: It champions the power of reading and kindness, and encourages children to believe in themselves.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who feel misunderstood and those who find solace in books.

Educational Humorous 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 life until a mysterious tollbooth appears in his room. Driving through it, he enters a fantastical world where he embarks on a quest that teaches him the value of learning and curiosity.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, vocabulary, appreciation for mathematics and language arts
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively blends humor with a journey of self-discovery and learning, making complex subjects fun and engaging.
  • Perfect for: Curious minds who enjoy a mix of adventure and intellectual challenge.

• How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III is a Viking and the son of a chief, but he's not very strong or loud like a typical Viking. This series follows his misadventures and unusual way of training a dragon as he becomes a hero.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Leadership, creativity, understanding of Norse mythology
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s packed with humor and adventure, encouraging readers to embrace their unique qualities.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love dragons and adventures, and those who feel like underdogs.

• Frindle by Andrew Clements
  • Genre(s): Contemporary, Humor
  • Synopsis: When Nick Allen decides to invent a new word for the pen, calling it "frindle," he sparks a series of events that captures the nation's attention. This story explores themes of language and creativity.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Vocabulary building, creative thinking, understanding of language and semantics
  • Why we recommend this book: It showcases the power of words and ideas in a humorous and thought-provoking way.
  • Perfect for: Young innovators and any kid who’s ever wondered about the power of language.

• The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry
  • Genre(s): Humor, Parody
  • Synopsis: This book satirizes classic children's tales about orphaned children and oblivious parents. The Willoughby siblings find themselves in an old-fashioned and funny tale filled with intentional clichés and whimsical adventures.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Critical thinking, understanding of literary styles and genres
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a clever, ironic take on traditional children’s literature, filled with humor and smart observations.
  • Perfect for: Readers who enjoy a good laugh and those who appreciate a smart, satirical twist on classic themes.

• Fortunately, the Milk by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Skottie Young
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Humor
  • Synopsis: A father goes to buy milk and returns with wild tales of aliens, pirates, and time travel. It’s a fast-paced and funny adventure that stretches the imagination.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creative thinking, storytelling, humor
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a whirlwind of imagination with a humorous narrative that keeps readers engaged and entertained.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love zany stories and thrilling, imaginative adventures.

Challenging Humorous Books for 10-Year-Olds

• 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 thwart a global crisis.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book features complex puzzles and moral dilemmas that require advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines humor with mystery and brain-teasers, making it an intellectually stimulating read that encourages strategic thinking.
  • Perfect for: Puzzle lovers and young detectives who enjoy cracking codes and solving mysteries.

• The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex
  • Genre(s): Science Fiction, Humor
  • Synopsis: When the alien Boov invade Earth, 11-year-old Gratuity "Tip" Tucci embarks on a cross-country road trip to find her mother, accompanied by a renegade alien named J.Lo.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative incorporates sophisticated humor, social commentary, and a unique perspective on human-alien interactions.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a funny, clever, and poignant story that encourages readers to think about cultural differences and resilience.
  • Perfect for: Sci-fi enthusiasts and kids who appreciate a good laugh mixed with a bit of social commentary.

• 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 series features complex plots with high-tech gadgets and fairy magic, requiring readers to keep up with detailed scientific and magical explanations.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a thrilling blend of magic, technology, and crime that offers a unique twist on the fantasy genre.
  • Perfect for: Tech-savvy kids and fans of fantasy who enjoy stories about young prodigies.

• The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood
  • Genre(s): Historical Fiction, Mystery, Humor
  • Synopsis: Miss Penelope Lumley is hired as a governess to three wild children who were raised by wolves. She must teach them how to fit into high society, which leads to many humorous and mysterious adventures.
  • Why this book is challenging: The writing style is sophisticated, featuring Victorian-era language and complex plot twists that challenge the reader’s comprehension and deductive reasoning.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a witty, charming story that combines elements of mystery and comedy, perfect for encouraging historical curiosity and laughter.
  • Perfect for: Readers who like historical settings mixed with mystery and humor.

• Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure, Humor
  • Synopsis: Alcatraz Smedry discovers he's part of a family with magical talents and gets caught up in a battle against evil Librarians who control the flow of information.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book plays with meta-humor and complex literary concepts, requiring a higher level of reading comprehension and an appreciation for subtler jokes.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a hilarious take on fantasy tropes and literary criticism, making it a fun and thought-provoking read.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy meta-fiction and stories that play with conventional storytelling formats.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're diving into the world of humorous books for 10-year-olds, you're in for a treat! Not only are these books a blast to read, but they also offer fantastic opportunities to develop strong reading habits. Here are some fun exercises to enhance your reading experience and make the most out of every giggle-filled page.

• Create a Laugh Tracker
  • What it is: Make a simple log to record every time a book makes you laugh.
  • How it helps: Encourages you to pay more attention to what you find funny and why.
  • Tips: Use stickers or fun markers to make tracking your laughs even more enjoyable.

• Character Role Play
  • What it is: Act out scenes from the book as your favorite characters.
  • How it helps: Helps deepen understanding of the characters and plot.
  • & Tips: Try using different voices or costumes to really bring the characters to life.

• Draw the Scene
  • What it is: Sketch your favorite scenes or create comic strips based on the book.
  • How it helps: Enhances visual memory and helps you engage creatively with the text.
  • Tips: Don't worry about perfect drawings; it’s all about expressing your interpretation.

• Predict the Punchline
  • What it is: Before finishing a chapter, try to guess how a joke will end or what the punchline will be.
  • How it helps: Boosts inferential thinking and comprehension skills.
  • Tips: Discuss your predictions with friends or family members who are reading the same book.

• Book Club Laughs
  • What it is: Organize a book club focused on humorous books where each member shares the funniest moments.
  • How it helps: Encourages social reading and discussion, enhancing understanding and enjoyment.
  • Tips: Rotate who picks the book each month to keep the selections diverse and exciting.

Reading humorous books isn't just about the laughs; it's a great way to build a lifelong love of reading. These exercises will not only make reading more fun but also help you become a more engaged and thoughtful reader. So, grab your next funny book, pick an exercise, and let the fun begin!