Jeff Kinney's Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a massive success and one of the most popular books for boys. Each book in the series has been a best seller and the first book is set to become a live action Diary of a Wimpy Kid movie from Fox.
Unfortunately for fans, Diary of a Wimpy Kid can't go on forever. But there are lots of books out there for Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans. The books on this list are funny books for boys, especially well suited to reluctant readers or Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans. These recommended books for boys are great for younger readers aged 9, 10, 11, or 12, and, while they have male protagonists and often boy-centred humour, are enjoyed by girls as well.
Louis Sachar's Sideways Stories From Wayside School
This popular series of children's books includes Sideways Stories from Wayside School, Wayside School is Falling Down and Wayside School Gets A Little Stranger. The “Stories” in the title is appropriate, as the crazy Wayside School was accidentally built 1 classroom long and 30 stories high, and each of the 30 chapters feature a different storey of the school. The stories here are hilarious light-hearted reads with a bit of magical realism thrown in for good measure, and often appeal as much to girls as to boys. Additionally, the short-story nature of these novels allows for easy stopping points, which makes them good for read-alouds or reluctant readers.
DJ Steinberg and Brian Smith's Daniel Boom AKA Loud Boy
This series, which includes Sound Off, Mac Attack and Game On, is in traditional graphic novel form, with lively illustrations in full colour which are packed with sight gags, easter eggs, and inside jokes for readers. The text is just as brilliant with non-stop jokes and quick pace that makes it an amazing graphic novel for boys.
The main character is Daniel Boom, and he was born with a problem: he has no indoor voice. But, as it turns out, keeping kids quiet is actually a conspiracy. So, Daniel, along with his sister and three other kids, turn their exuberance into super powers which they use to save the day.
This one is definitely a recommended read for reluctant readers and a great read for boys.
Kevin Bogler's Sir Fartsalot Hunts the Booger
Quill and Quire praised this book as “Don Quixote for nine-year-olds, filtered through Captain Underpants and Monty Python . . . Entertaining and fun” and they weren't lying.
Sir Fartsalot is the bravest (and stinkiest!) knight in the land and he's on a quest, along with his buddy Sir Knotaclew, to rid the world of the dreaded Booger.
The humour is crude, but, if Captain Underpants proved anything, boys love booger jokes. Better than the fart gags, though, is the exciting adventure story. Bogler balances plotline and humour perfectly, leading to an amazingly well-crafted book for boys. Like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Sir Fartsalot features fun illustrations to balance out the words for reluctant readers or kids who enjoy graphic novels.
Fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney don't need to give up on reading once they're through the series. There are lots of funny and exciting books for boys on the shelves of libraries and book stores, even for the most reluctant readers. The three selections above are just a beginning list of books like Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
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