Best Middle Grade Humor Books (2026): 5 Picks for Laughs

When a middle schooler has finished every funny book on the shelf and asks for the best middle grade humor books, the right pick depends on the reader: one who wants to start a series wants a different book than one who wants a single laugh. We compared funny middle grade novels by stated reading age, grade level, page count, series position, and edition.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Big Nate: Class by Himself by Peirce	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Unplugged by Korman	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Just My Rotten Luck by Patterson	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Big Nate Flips Out by Peirce	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Class Dismissed by Woodrow	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Big Nate: Class by Himself by Peirce

Lincoln Peirce·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 ›

For readers new to the Big Nate novels, with a stated reading age of 8 - 11 years.

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Pros

• Book 1 of 8, the entry point of the Big Nate novels.
• Lists a reading age of 8 - 11 years, marked as from customers, and grade level 3 - 7.
• 224 pages from HarperCollins in the Reprint edition.

Cons

• Published March 10, 2015, the oldest stated date among the picks.
• Readers who want a standalone get a series book instead.
• Book 2 of the series is not included.

2

Unplugged 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 ›

For readers who want a standalone camp comedy, with a stated reading age of 9 - 11 years.

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Pros

• 352 pages, the longest stated page count among the picks.
• Lists a reading age of 9 - 11 years, marked as from customers, and grade level 3 - 7.
• Publication date January 11, 2022, the newest stated date.

Cons

• No series is stated, so readers who want more volumes get one book.
• Camp setting only; readers who want a school story get a different pick.
• Edition details beyond the publication date are not stated.

3

Just My Rotten Luck 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 ›

For readers who want an illustrated school comedy, with a stated reading age of 10 - 12 years.

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Pros

• 320 pages in the Illustrated edition.
• Lists a reading age of 10 - 12 years, marked as from customers, and grade level 3 - 7.
• Book 7 of 17, deep into an established series.

Cons

• It is Book 7 of 17, so it is not a series starting point.
• Published June 22, 2015, an older stated date.
• Readers new to the series start several books behind.

4

Big Nate Flips Out by Peirce

Lincoln Peirce·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 ›

For readers already into Big Nate, with a stated reading age of 8 - 11 years.

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Pros

• Book 5 of 8 for readers already following Big Nate.
• Lists a reading age of 8 - 11 years, marked as from customers, and grade level 3 - 7.
• 224 pages from HarperCollins in the Reprint edition.

Cons

• It is Book 5 of 8, so new readers start mid-series.
• Shares its author and reading age with the first pick.
• Published May 17, 2016, an older stated edition.

5

Class Dismissed by Woodrow

Allan Woodrow·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 ›

For readers who want a classroom comedy, with a stated reading age of 9 - 11 years.

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Pros

• 272 pages from Scholastic Paperbacks in the Reprint edition.
• Lists a reading age of 9 - 11 years, marked as from customers, and grade level 3 - 7.
• Classroom setting suits school-story fans.

Cons

• No series is stated, so readers who want more volumes get one book.
• Publication date June 27, 2017, is older than the newest pick.
• Edition details beyond the Reprint label are not stated.

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More picks to compare

• My Life as a Potato by Costner288 pages, reading age 10 – 12 years; for mascot-story fans.Check on Amazon
• Confessions of a Class Clown by Costner304 pages, reading age 8 – 12 years; for comedy-video fans.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 23 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 a grade level. 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 middle grade humor books

Start at Book 1

Big Nate: In a Class by Himself is stated as Book 1 of 8, so it works as an entry point. Big Nate Flips Out is stated as Book 5 of 8 and Just My Rotten Luck as Book 7 of 17, so a new reader starts mid-series with either. The middle grade shelves hold more series starters.

Match the reading age

Two picks list a reading age of 8 – 11 years, marked as from customers; two list 9 – 11 years, marked as from customers; Just My Rotten Luck lists 10 – 12 years, marked as from customers. All five list grade level 3 – 7. For a younger reader, favor the lowest stated ages; readers who want friendship stories can browse books about friendship.

Before you buy

• Check the reading age and grade level on the listing against the reader; the stated ages run from 8 – 11 years to 10 – 12 years.
• Check which book of the series comes first: Book 1 of 8, Book 5 of 8, and Book 7 of 17 are all in this list.
• Check the publication date and edition on the listing; the stated dates run from March 10, 2015 to January 11, 2022.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which book should a reader new to Big Nate start with?

Big Nate: In a Class by Himself is listed as Book 1 of 8, the entry point of the series. Big Nate Flips Out is listed as Book 5 of 8.

What reading ages do these books list?

The two Big Nate books list 8 – 11 years, marked as from customers; Unplugged and Class Dismissed list 9 – 11 years, marked as from customers; Just My Rotten Luck lists 10 – 12 years, marked as from customers.

Which picks are standalones?

Unplugged and Class Dismissed state no series. The other three picks are listed as Book 1 of 8, Book 5 of 8, and Book 7 of 17.

Still deciding? Our top pickBig Nate: Class by Himself by Peirce

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Related lists

See every middle grade list and all young adult lists.

More lists: books about friendship, reluctant reader books and sci-fi books with humor.