15 Funny Books for Reluctant Readers (Ages 7–11)

If reading feels like a daily argument, start with funny. Humour lowers resistance, keeps pages turning, and makes “just 10 minutes” doable.

Forget “important books” at the start. Your first goal is simple: a child who wants to keep going.

Related guides: Books & Reading Lists · Parenting & Routines · English & Verbal Reasoning · All blog posts

Who this list is for

• Kids aged 7–11 who avoid books
• Parents who want a low-drama routine
• Children who love jokes, silly characters, and fast plots

Why humour works (fast)

• It gives instant reward. Laughter makes the brain want to repeat the activity.
• It reduces “reading pressure”. Kids stop feeling like reading is a test.
• It builds stamina quietly. Once they’re turning pages, time on task increases naturally.

How to use the list (the routine that works)

• 10 minutes a day (set a timer and keep it calm)
• Same time, same place (routine removes negotiation)
• Stop mid-chapter (so they want to continue tomorrow)

Two tiny upgrades (optional but powerful)

• You read the first page. This reduces friction and gets the story moving.
• “One more minute” is allowed. If they ask for more, you’re winning — let it happen.

Book picks (start anywhere)

These are reliable, high-traction series and authors that work especially well for reluctant readers.

• Dog Man (Dav Pilkey)
• Captain Underpants (Dav Pilkey)
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Jeff Kinney)
• The 13-Storey Treehouse (Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton)
• Tom Gates (Liz Pichon)
• Horrid Henry (Francesca Simon)
• Bunny vs Monkey (Jamie Smart)
• The Bad Guys (Aaron Blabey)
• Mr Gum (Andy Stanton)
• My Weird School (Dan Gutman)
• Big Nate (Lincoln Peirce)
• Wayside School (Louis Sachar)
• Fortunately, the Milk (Neil Gaiman)
• Geronimo Stilton (Elisabetta Dami)
• How to Train Your Dragon (Cressida Cowell)

How to choose the right one (so it hooks fast)

• If they like cartoons/illustrations: Dog Man, Big Nate, Wimpy Kid.
• If they like chaos and silly ideas: Treehouse, Fortunately the Milk.
• If they like school comedy: My Weird School, Wayside School, Tom Gates.
• If they like cheeky characters: Horrid Henry, Mr Gum.

Try this next

Pick one book. After reading, ask one question:

“What was the funniest part — and why?”

This builds comprehension without making reading feel like work.

Want more low-friction reading options? Try Nonfiction for Reluctant Readers or Graphic Novels That Still Build Comprehension.