Holiday Gift Guide: I Even Funnier by James Patterson

I Even Funnier

A Middle School Story

By James Patterson & Chris Grabenstein
Illustrated By Laura Park

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Pub. Date: December 9, 2013

ISBN: 978-0316206976

Pages: 368

Purchase Links:

Book Description:

In this follow up to the #1 New York Times bestseller I Funny, middle schooler Jamie Grimm has big dreams of being the best stand-up comic in the world--and he won't let the fact that he's wheelchair-bound stand in his way. After winning the New York state finals in the Planet's Funniest Kid Comic Contest, Jamie's off to Boston to compete in the national semi-finals. But when one of his best buddies runs into trouble at school and a sudden family health scare rears its head, Jamie has to put his comedic ambitions on hold and stand by the people he cares about. Can Jamie pass up the big competition for the sake of his friends and family? (Includes more than 175 black-and-white illustrations.)

Billy's Review:

It seems James Patterson keeps releasing book after book with his popular Alex Cross character and the Women Murder Club series for adults, but Mr. Patterson also writes books for kids as well. Tomorrow, December 9, 2013, will be the release of Patterson's I Even Funnier: A Middle School Story which is co-written with Chris Grabenstein and the illustrations are by Laura Park. It is the second installment in the I Funny series.

I Even Funnier centers on middle school student Jamie Grimm, who lost his parents and sister in accident, the same accident that injured him. He is now in a wheelchair and lives with his aunt and uncle, whom is refers as "the Smileys" as they never smile.

Jamie had become New York State's Planet's Funniest Kid Comic, which would one would think it would increase his popularity at school, but he still has to face a bully every day. To make things worse, the bully is actually his cousin, Stevie, and "the Smiley's" are making Jamie tutor him.

With his friend's support, Jamie wins the Planet's Funniest Kid Comic North Regional Contest and he is excited about the semi-finals in Las Vegas. His dream of becoming the Planet's Funniest Kid is going to come dream, but the unthinkable happens and his dream could be shattered forever.

I Even Funnier is a cute funny book for kids, though adults would enjoy reading it as well. Very seldom have I seen a wheelchair-bound character, but normally those characters aren't the main character, let alone a kid. It’s nice to see a kid, Jamie, have goals and set out to accomplish them, even if the audiences don't like his jokes. Midway through the book there is a crossover with Rafe Khatchadorian from James Patterson's other Middle School book series. Overall, I Even Funnier is a smart and funny book that kids will enjoy reading over and over again.