Funny Fiction for Grades
4 - 6
Bauer, Joan.
Squashed. (J Ba)
Sixteen-year-old Ellie Morgan is infatuated . . . with growing pumpkins. She
thinks her life would be perfect if she could pump up her potential prize-winning
pumpkin by 200 pounds in order to win the Rock River (Iowa) Pumpkin Weigh-In and
beat obnoxious Cyril Pool.
Carey, Peter.
The Big Bazoohley. (J Ca)
Sam's family sure could use "The Big Bazoohly" when they find themselves
staying at a fancy hotel with barely enough money to buy peanut butter and jelly
sandwiches. If only Sam could win the $10,000 prize in the Perfect Kiddo contest!
Can he do it?
Corbett, Scott.
The Turnabout Trick. (J Co)
When the cat buries bones and growls instead of meows and the dog purrs, two boys
enlist the aid of a mysterious little old lady to help them find the reason for
such a switch.
Coville, Bruce.
Jennifer Murdley's Toad. (J Co)
Jennifer, a fifth grader, discovers that a kiss from the talking toad she
purchased in a magic shop will give you more than warts!
Cresswell, Helen.
Ordinary Jack. (First book in the 7-book Bagthorpe
series) (J Cr)
Eleven-year-old Jack, the only "ordinary" member of the talented and
eccentric Bagthorpe family, concocts a scheme to distinguish himself as a modern-day
prophet.
Curtis, Christopher Paul.
The Watsons Go to Birmingham -- 1963. (J Cu)
Ten-year-old Kenny Watson describes the everyday interactions of his African-American
family, whom he calls "The Weird Watsons." Full of humorous family
scenes, this story takes a serious look at the emotional impact of the racial
hatred the family encounters during a visit to Birmingham, Alabama, in the summer
of 1963.
Danziger, Paula.
Everyone Else's Parents Said Yes. (J Da)
Matthew likes playing practical jokes on his older sister and the girls in his
class at school.
Dickinson, Peter.
Chuck and Danielle. (J Di)
Danielle knows her dog, Chuck, is a wimp. But she still thinks her goofy dog --
who is afraid of cats and hides behind the TV whenever the doorbell rings -- will
someday save the Universe.
Elish, Dan.
The World-Wide Dessert Contest. (J El)
Can John Applefeller and Captain B. Rollie Ragoon concoct a confectionery treat to
beat the sickening Sylvester S. Sweet? You'll have to grab this book off the
shelf and find out for yourself!
Fitzgerald, John D.
The Great Brain. (J Fi)
The exploits of the Great Brain of Adenville, Utah, are described by his younger
brother, frequently the victim of the Great Brain's schemes for gaining prestige
or money.
Fleischman, Sid.
The Whipping Boy. (J Fl)
A bratty prince and his whipping boy have many adventures when they inadvertantly
trade places after becoming involved with dangerous outlaws.
Gauthier, Gail.
My Life Among the Aliens. (J Ga)
Will and Robby start seeing aliens everywhere one summer. Why would aliens choose
to come to their house -- could it be for their mom's bran muffins?
Haas, Dorothy.
Burton's Zoom Zoom Va-Room Machine. (J Ha)
Evil Professor Savvy tries to steal Burton's newest invention, a rocket-powered
skateboard.
Konigsburg, E.L.
Jennifer, Hecate, Macbeth, William McKinley, and Me,
Elizabeth. (J Ko)
Elizabeth is the loneliest only child in the whole US of A until she
discovers Jennifer. Of course, Jennifer isn't a friend, really. Witches don't
make friends, and Jennifer is a witch. Elizabeth becomes her apprentice,
learning how to eat raw eggs, how to cast short spells, and how to get along with
Jennifer, among other things.
Paulsen, Gary.
Harris and Me: A Summer Remembered. (J Pa)
An eleven-year-old city boy describes the laugh-out-loud antics he has with his
distant cousin, Harris, during the summer he spends living on a relative's farm.
Peck, Richard. A Long Way from Chicago (J Pe)
A 1999 Newbery honor book, this story describes the humorous events
that Joey and his sister Mary Alice experience during summer visits with
their grandma in a not-so-sleepy little Illinois town. Whether she's
hosting the corpse of Shotgun Cheatham or conjuring up the Phantom
Brakeman, Grandma always has some entertainment in store.
Peck, Robert Newton. Soup. (J Pe)
The adventures and misadventures of two boys growing up in a small Vermont
town. If you like Soup, there are 14 books in this series!
Pinkwater, Daniel Manus.
The Hoboken Chicken Emergency. (J Pi)
Unable to find a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner, Arthur comes home with a
260-pound chicken.
Rodgers, Mary.
Freaky Friday. (J Ro)
A thirteen-year-old girl gains a much more sympathetic understanding of her
relationship with her mother when she has to spend a day in her mother's body.
Scieszka, Jon.
Your Mother Was a Neanderthal. (Time Warp Trio series)
(J Sc)
The Time Warp Trio find themselves in the middle of an adventure in prehistoric
times, where cave art is a form of graffiti and "rock" music takes
on a whole new meaning. Don't miss the other books in this fun series!
Selden, George.
The Genie of Sutton Place. (J Se)
In this New York City-based tale, thirteen-year-old Tim discovers the magic words
that set a wish-granting genie free.
Taylor, William.
Knitwits. (J Ta)
Nine-year-old Charlie Kenny's life becomes chaotic when he gets himself into a bet
that he can knit something for the baby his mother is expecting.
Taylor, William.
Numbskulls. (J Ta)
Tricked by his horrid neighbor Alice, Charlie must submit to her experimental
learning machine, which proves so successful, it almost backfires on Alice.
Voigt, Cynthia.
The Bad Girls. (J Vo)
After meeting on the first day in Mrs. Chemsky's fifth-grade class, Margalo and
Mikey help each other in and out of trouble, as they try to maintain a friendship
while each asserts her independence.
Wallace, Bill.
The Biggest Klutz in Fifth Grade. (J Wa)
Pat wonders if he isn't the biggest and stupidest klutz around when he makes a bet
with Neal that he can go all summer without getting hurt. If he loses, he has to
kiss Kristine Blimpton in public!
Compiled by Lisa Champelli for MCPL Children's Services. (1996)
