Book Review: I Funny: A Middle School Story by James Patterson & Chris Grabenstein

I Funny: A Middle School Story
Authors: James Patterson, Chris Grabenstein
Illustrator: Laura Park
Reading Level: MG
Genre: Humor/School
Released: December 10th 2012
Review Source: Little, Brown and Company
Available: Amazon

Summary: (from goodreads) Jamie Grimm is a middle schooler on a mission: he wants to become the world's greatest standup comedian--even if he doesn't have a lot to laugh about these days. He's new in town and stuck living with his aunt, uncle, and their evil son Stevie, a bully who doesn't let Jamie's wheelchair stop him from messing with Jamie as much as possible. But Jamie doesn't let his situation get him down. He practices the craft of stand-up every day on friends, family, and the willing customers at his Uncle Frankie's diner. When Uncle Frankie mentions a contest called The Planet's Funniest Kid Comic, Jamie knows he has to enter. But are the judges only rewarding him out of pity because of his wheelchair, like Stevie suggests? Will Jamie ever share the secret of his troubled past instead of hiding behind his comedy act?

Following the bestselling success of the hilarious Middle School, The Worst Years of My Life, James Patterson continues to dish out the funnies in another highly-illustrated, heartfelt middle school story.

I picked this book up purely to help out my son, who is behind on reading for pleasure. Which happens when you are a junior in high school. Being a middle school teacher for 10 years, I thought that I could breeze through this quickly, check it off the list and move to the next. See, I'm someone, who really doesn't watch comedies, sitcoms, read comedies, get jokes the first time they are told etc. etc. So when I saw I Funny and James Patterson, I thought, I'll give it a try. Now, this is the first book that I've ever read written by James Patterson. However, my oldest has probably read everything YA that he has ever written. Lets just say I know why. WOW, where should I begin? Mr. Patterson had me rethinking my laughing ability after the first chapter. I found my self reading and pausing to find the nearest kid in the family to retell the joke that I just read. Even my dearest hubby was so surprised that it took this long for me to really get into comedy all because of a book. Am I completely reformed? Not yet, however did this book open up some brand new doors for me? Absolutely!!!

Jamie Grimm is the main character. He uses a wheel chair. He's a middle schooler and is determined to enter the Planet's Funniest Kid Comic Contest. Throughout the novel we follow Jamie's journey through this quest. He entertains his audience through every page, until the very end. Does Jamie win the coveted title? Pick this book up, devote a few hours and find out!