Best Funny Books for 11 Year Olds: 5 Picks Compared

A fifth grader who has finished every book on the classroom shelf and wants the next one to be funny is exactly who the best funny books for 11 year olds are for. We compared five funny books by reading age, grade level, page count, series position and what each description says is inside. The list runs from standup comedy to gaming mischief to a joke-filled anthology.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	I Funny by Patterson	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Slacker by Korman	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Kid Youtuber 4 by Emerson	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Funny Girl by Bird	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Kid Youtuber 11 by Emerson	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

I Funny by Patterson

James Patterson·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A standup-comedy middle school story in 320 illustrated pages, for readers 9 to 12; suits kids who like humor with heart.

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Pros

• Standup comedy premise, the only one here built around jokes
• 320 pages, illustrated edition stated
• Book 1 of 6 in the I Funny series

Cons

• Bullying and a troubled past are part of the story, per the description
• Reading age marked as from customers only
• Book 1 of 6, so the series continues past this volume

2

Slacker by Korman

Gordon Korman·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A gaming underachiever comedy in 240 pages for readers 9 to 12; suits kids who like school humor with a beaver rescue.

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Pros

• School comedy premise from the listed author
• 240 pages, Scholastic Press reissue stated
• Reading age 9 to 12 and grade level 3 to 7 stated

Cons

• The story opens with a near house fire, per the description
• 2017 publication date, an older edition
• Reading age marked as from customers only

3

Kid Youtuber 4 by Emerson

Marcus Emerson·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A fast-paced illustrated chapter book, book 4 of 13, for readers 8 to 12; suits reluctant readers who like short chapters.

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Pros

• Hundreds of illustrations and short chapters stated
• Book 4 of 13 in the Kid Youtuber series
• Reading age 8 to 12 years stated

Cons

• Mid-series entry: book 4 of 13
• 165 pages, the shortest pick here
• No grade level stated, only a reading age

4

Funny Girl by Bird

Betsy Bird·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

An anthology of funny stories and comics by 25 women writers, 224 pages for readers 8 to 11; suits kids who like variety.

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Pros

• 25 contributors, the only anthology here
• 224 pages, reprint edition stated
• Comics and comedy activities stated in the description

Cons

• Anthology format: no single continuing story
• 2018 publication date, an older edition
• Reading age marked as from customers only

5

Kid Youtuber 11 by Emerson

Marcus Emerson·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

The newest pick, published November 2025, book 11 of 13, 165 illustrated pages for readers 8 to 12.

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Pros

• November 2025 publication, the newest here
• Book 11 of 13 in the Kid Youtuber series
• Hundreds of illustrations and short chapters stated

Cons

• Book 11 of 13: deep into the series
• 165 pages, the shortest pick here
• No grade level stated, only a reading age

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More picks to compare

• The Book of Useless Information200+ funny facts, 192 pages, illustrated.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 20 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. All five picks list a reading age, and three list a grade level as well. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best funny books for 11 year olds

Match the reading age to the reader

The listings give reading ages of 8 to 12, 9 to 12 and 8 to 11, with three marked as from customers. All five ranges include age 11, so the choice comes down to the reader’s taste: standup comedy, gaming mischief, short illustrated chapters or a mixed anthology. For readers who want facts with their laughs, see our fact books for 11 year olds.

Series or standalone

Three picks are series entries: I Funny is book 1 of 6, and the Kid Youtuber books are books 4 and 11 of 13. Starting at book 1 suits a new reader; Funny Girl and Slacker stand alone. If the reader finishes this list and wants another genre next, see our sports books for 11 year olds.

Before you buy

• Check the series position: the Kid Youtuber picks are books 4 and 11 of 13.
• Check the reading age against the reader: all five list one, three marked as from customers.
• Check the print length: 165 to 320 pages here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which book should a new reader start with?

I Funny is book 1 of 6, so it starts its series from the beginning. The Kid Youtuber books are books 4 and 11 of 13.

What reading ages do these suit?

The listings give 8 to 12, 9 to 12 and 8 to 11; three are marked as from customers. All five ranges include age 11.

Which is the newest?

Kid Youtuber 11, published November 21, 2025. The oldest publication date here is Slacker at April 25, 2017.

Still deciding? Our top pickI Funny by Patterson

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Related lists

See every middle grade books list and all kids and teens lists.

More lists: fact books for 11 year olds, sports books for 11 year olds, science fiction for 11 year olds and middle grade books.