The candid and humorous diaries of middle school student Jamie Kelly actually debuted in 2004, three years before Wimpy Kid hit shelves in 2007. But readers who enjoy the first-person diary format will find much to enjoy in this series.
Books Similar To My Weird School Series -
Jeremiah just finished 1st grade and he found a total love for reading because of diary of a wimpy kid!! Glad he found some at the school library. We baight one and he read the whole thing age 6 this summer w little help from is. Thankful for these books
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This is a wonderful series featuring Ellray Jakes' younger sister (see the Ellray Jakes series further down in this list). Alfie is the younger sister in a loving African-American family living in suburbia. Warner shares Alfie's interesting second grade adventures while also portraying loving family relationships. Warner's books read like good stand-alone novels, not like so many early chapter book series which feel mass-produced. Strongly recommended! (Currently 4 books in the series)
Ada Lace is an 8-year-old girl who loves science and technology - and I love that the series is written by another female who loves science (and happens to have both aerospace and aeronautics degrees). It's also nice to find a series aimed at girls which isn't about fairies and unicorns. Ada is both intelligent and relatable, and the author integrates science concepts in a natural way. (Currently 5 books in the series)
This is a classic monster series about a group of third graders. In each book they believe an authority figure is a monster of some sort, try to prove it, and don't really get any final resolution (or at least that's my take on it). The books are a little creepy, but never too scary. I've never gotten into this series, but they've been very popular since the 90's. If your learners get hooked on them, that's great - because there are over 80 books in the series.
Written by the author of the Melvin Beederman, Superhero series, these books are about a fourth-grade girl hero - Jo Schmo. Jo comes from a long line of crime fighters, and it's her turn to join the family business. The book is well written with clever jokes and funny wordplay. My only issue is that Jo Schmo is excessively boy crazy; while it's completely harmless, that may make this series better suited for older, struggling readers than for young advanced readers.
This is a friendly, gentle series about young animals. The books are sweet and well-written. Personally, I found them a little too sunshine-y (and sickeningly sweet), but I appreciate the positive storylines and the strong vocabulary. These are best for young readers; they might feel babyish to older, struggling readers. (Currently 14 books in the series)
Amelia is a young girl who believes she's a very important secret agent saving the word from dastardly villains. In each book she uses her "brains, guts, and gadgets to take on evil geniuses." Each book features three secret agent case files. The plots are a bit ridiculous, but funny. Good choice for young advanced readers. (4 books in the series)
This is a beautiful series by the author of the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency (my favorite fiction series for adults - you've got to check it out!). Akimbo's father is the head ranger on a game preserve in Africa. Each book focuses on a different animal (Akimbo and the Lion, Akimbo and the Elephants, etc.) Akimbo faces danger and adventure as he looks out for his animal friends. This is an excellent series that would also be great for reading aloud. (5 books in the series)
This is an entertaining series about a boy who meets a tiny (yet powerful) alien who crashes in his bedroom. I love how the author integrates science concepts in a relatable way, but I'm not crazy about the very negative relationship between the main character and his brother. (8 books in the series)
I love, love, love this series. It's about Alvin, an Asian American second grader who has anxiety about many things. It's laugh-out-loud funny without being mean-spirited. There's some sibling tension, but nothing too serious - and I absolutely love the close relationship between Alvin and his father. I think the content would be a little challenging for young advanced readers, but you could try reading one together first. There are about 6 books in this all-around great series.
There are two sets of Amber Brown books, but only one is a chapter book series. Please note that this review is of the Amber Brown books and not the "A is for Amber" series. Amber Brown is a fourth grader with divorced parents who is learning to navigate new relationships.
There's a fair amount of gross talk ("farting," picking noses, etc.) and some topics that are a bit heavy for really young kids (divorced parents not getting along, etc.). That said, the books are interesting and well written; I just wouldn't recommend them for advanced young readers. (12 books in the series)
While I grew up loving the original Amelia Bedelia books by Peggy Parish, I'm less than impressed with this new chapter book series by her nephew. I find them boring and hard to get through, and I think that a lot of the jokes would go over young readers' heads. The stories aren't horrible, just uninteresting (in my opinion). At least 11 books in the series.
I tried (and tried!), but I just couldn't get into this series about a boy who travels through space and time. Similar to the Magic School Bus books, the series is a mixture of fantasy and scientific facts. The books are best read in order, as they often end with a cliffhanger. (At least 18 books in the series)
When I pick up a David Adler book, I'm reasonably confident that it will be a quality, well-written book. The Andy Russell series is no exception. Kids will enjoy reading about likable, day-dreaming Andy's misadventures. Recommended for older, struggling readers. (6 books in the series)
These are very basic illustrated chapter books with large font and spacing. Andy Shane is a nice little boy who lives with his grandmother and faces the typical challenges of childhood. I didn't find the books very interesting, but kids might feel differently. Worth a try for kids ready to read longer text but not longer chapter books. (Currently 6 books in the series.)
This is a beautiful series about Anna Hibiscus, a young girl who lives in modern-day Africa with her loving family. The stories are both entertaining and touching, and you'll find many opportunities for discussion. I was uncomfortable with the religious undertones in the book I read (Anna Hibiscus has many conversations with her dead grandfather), but other than that I highly recommend them. (8 books in the series) 2ff7e9595c
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