Excerpts of Funny Stories for Teens
The Bolds Go Green
7+ readers 9+ readers
June 2022 Book of the Month | This is adventure number six for the Bolds, a family of hyenas living happily in Teddington disguised as humans. Let's hope there will be more too, because there are very few stories more joyful, cheering and entertaining than these and only Paddington to compare for characters as lovable and inspirational. If you've read previous Bolds books, you'll know that they're always ready to help other animals and to open their doors to those in need. Of course therefore they give homeless aardvark Annika a warm welcome and set out to track down her missing friends, escapees from the same zoo, Charlie the skunk and Fergie the fruit bat. The latter, we discover, have been camping out in Parliament Square with friendly eco-warriors. Can the Bolds find them somewhere permanent (and quieter) to live? This is the Bolds, so of course the answer is yes. Gloriously silly, genuinely heart-warming and beautifully plotted, it all ends with a special party for twins Betty and Bobby Bold, and an 'au revoir' to another friend, Fifi, the singing poodle superstar. She promises to return, 'Wherever life might take me, my heart belongs with the Bolds.' That will be true for all the dear readers too, this one included.
Small!
7+ readers
June 2022 Debut of the Month | Driven by 10-year-old Harvey Small's entertaining tendency to get into strange scrapes, Hannah Moffat's delightful debut is Small in name and big on zany antics, with Rory Walker's detailed illustrations adding to the wacky fun. Harvey's tenth birthday sees him gifted a pair of stilts, a pair of oversized "sludge-brown dungarees", a huge green velvet hat, and "absolutely NO football boots". But, as it turns out, the stilts are going to come in handier than expected. As a result of Harvey getting into a series of unfortunate scrapes – among them accidently killing the school hamster, and setting fire to the headmaster's trousers – his mum has been struggling to find him a new school. Until now – thanks to the stilts giving a small boy the appearance of someone much bigger, Harvey has been accepted into Madame Bogbrush's School for Gifted Giants. But the trouble is, the giants have a habit of bashing Smalls (AKA humans), so it's imperative for him to keep his true identity secret. Cue much mayhem and pacey peril…
Love Radio
13+ readers YA readers
Romantic love, family love, friend love, and selflove — Ebony LaDelle's Love Radio debut is an uplifting joy, with two adorable teen characters teetering on the cusp of adulthood while dealing with big problems from the past, and questions about the future. Dani definitely isn't looking for love. Not after what happened when her former friend left her alone with that college boy. And not when she's so set on going to college and becoming a writer. A writer with the impact of her heroines, Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, and bell hooks. Meanwhile, Prince (AKA DJ LoveJones), is obsessed with music, and offers love advice on his hugely popular radio show around caring for his sick mom and adorable little brother Mook. When they meet, the fiery sparks can't be ignored, so Dani agrees to giving Prince three dates to convince her not to swear off love. Cue a stack of sweetness from Prince (the dates he comes up with are so, so thoughtful), and Dani doing a whole lot of soul-searching. Alongside delivering a beautiful, exhilarating love story, the author weaves in Black history, and shows the power of kids seeing themselves represented in books. It also offers gorgeous representations of family love, support, respect and fun gatherings that allow everyone to thrive. All of which means Love Radio is inspirational, empowering, and super-sweet — what's not to love?
Leonora Bolt: Deep Sea Calamity
5+ readers 7+ readers
The second laugh-out-loud adventure for Leonora Bolt, Secret Inventor. Leonora isn't supposed to be building a submarine in a tree. Or turning the local wildlife luminous. In fact, she is supposed to be keeping her head down and drawing no attention - because Leonora Bolt is an inventor in secret. But she can't stop thinking of the clues she found to her missing parents' location. So, deep in hiding in Snorebury, desperately trying to avoid being discovered by her evil uncle, Leonora is hatching a plan. So what if involves launching a homemade submarine into the middle of the ocean, accompanied only by a couple of friends and an otter with particularly sensitive whiskers? For when disaster strikes, Leonora's wackiest plan might just be her most brilliant yet.
Never Grow Up
3+ readers 5+ readers
A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month June 2022 | A joyful celebration of the great Roald Dahl's playful spirit and his belief that childhood with all its marvellousness and mischievousness is a time to relish. Quentin Blake's fabulous illustrations join Dahl's encouraging phases into a book that abound with appeal to young and old.
Hot Dog
3+ readers 5+ readers
One little hot dog does get to play ball in this sunny, funny story. From his vantage point on the hot dog stand, he watches enviously as all the real-life dogs have fun on the beach, digging, fetching, chasing their tails, and he longs to do those things too. Luckily, he is overheard by the Mustard Fairy and with a squirt or two of mustard, she makes his wish come true! Soon Hot Dog is playing on the sand, doing everything he's always wanted to do, though he needs another helping hand to avoid ending up a dog's dinner! Magically transformed, Hot Dog is truly adorable and the story is a wonderful helping of silliness, drama and happy every after. A sunshine read if ever there was one.
Red Lorry, Yellow Lorry
Baby and Toddler 3+ readers
Two lorries, two cheerful crews, set out from the depot in the morning for a busy day, 'Empty lorry, load lorry, straight back on the road, lorry'. There's so much to do and so many other vehicles and drivers they encounter. With its irresistible tongue-exercising rhyming text, most lines only two words long, and bright, busy illustrations, this is a celebration of traffic jam-packed with fun. It will be essential reading for any young transportophile, but just as entertaining for the rest of the family too.
The Robber Raccoon
3+ readers 5+ readers
A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month June 2022 | Rosie Raccoon was up to no good out and about in a grand neighbourhood. It seems Rosie is up to no good as she breaks into the houses of Bear, Flamingo and Snake, but when Officer Skunk catches her in the act all she has taken is junk! But Rosie has a plan to recycle these treasures and make something new. With a topical environmental theme, Lou's fantastic rhyming text and Julia's adorable illustrations, this picture book will be irresistible to young readers.
My Granny is a Queen
Baby and Toddler 3+ readers 5+ readers
Grannies are special, everyone knows that, whether you call yours granny, nana, oma, bibi or abuela, and in this book their grandchildren celebrate them in all their crowning glories. We meet grannies with pets and with jewels, and grannies who make speeches; there are grans who give awards and yes, ones who wear crowns. The accompanying illustrations are full of life and humour, providing delightfully different descriptions to the words. The grannies look gorgeous, each and every one, and it's a book that puts family and love absolutely on a throne.
Isadora Moon and the Shooting Star
5+ readers 7+ readers
Half human, half vampire, Isadora Moon is 100% brilliant, especially for those growing in reading confidence. In this story, she's puzzling about what to do for her class space project so joins her vampire dad for some stargazing. They notice two bright lights falling from the sky and go out to find them, only to discover that the lights they saw weren't shooting stars but Nova, a Glow Sprite, and her cheeky moon kitten, Pluto, who's now lost. Can Isadora find Pluto before Nova's parents notice they're missing? Readers will wish they lived Isadora's life, flying into the forest with her family to enjoy an overnight camping trip as they help Nova track down Pluto. Tt all comes to happy ending with Nova and Pluto reunited, and Isadora enjoying a gift of moon cheese, a present from outer space! With their pretty pink and black illustrations and lively adventures, these are deservedly popular, and this is a sparkling addition to the series.
Knight Sir Louis and the Sorcerer of Slime
7+ readers 9+ readers
What's going on at Castle Sideways? First a band of gnomes launch an attack – thwarted by our hero young Knight Sir Louis – then a handsome squire arrives with news of more trouble: apparently the Wild Forest Ogres of Tumblin Klatterbang are also on their way and planning an attack. Time for Knight Sir Louis to step up again, but oh dear, King Burt the Not Bad has banished his knight and appointed the not-quite-as-charming-as-he-seems Squire now Knight Sir Lyme in his place. With the slimy Sir Lyme ensconced in the palace and feeding everyone his seemingly endless supply of green gummy sweets, Louis sets off to find out what's going on, leaving his friend wizentor Pearlin and her two-headed pet dragon Mac N Cheese to keep an eye on things at home. He's helped as always by his trusty steed Sir Clunkalot, his sword Dave and friend Reader Catalogue, as well as various gnomes and ogres. It's all totally bonkers, but brilliantly funny and full of proper characters and rumbustious adventure. Easily as good as the first two books in this hilarious series which is high praise indeed. Short chapters, tons of pictures and unbeatable adventures make this super-readable. One to recommend to fans of Tom Gates or Phoenix Comic adventures.
The Fart that Changed the World
9+ readers 11+ readers
While there's certainly no shortage of fart-themed books for children, and no sign that the perennial appeal of parps is waning among contemporary readers, actor and comedian Stephen Mangan's The Fart that Changed the World is a satisfyingly surreal addition to the canon of flatulence-themed fiction. With crisply comic line drawings by graphic designer and illustrator Anita Mangan, this story of a king whose unexpected fart unexpectedly changes the world is sure-fire way for kids to entertain themselves. What's more, it's also excellent for reading aloud (the joys of being read to at an older age should never be underestimated), with a strident, knowing tone of voice that makes it easy - and satisfying - to inject further funniness and drama. On the very morning King Fabian is set to host neighbouring rulers, he emits a morning fart. "Tight and high-pitched like a short, sharp note from a bugle", this was "a fart like no other in history. This was a fart with consequences…a fart that changed the world." When Dimmock the royal butler is blamed and confined to the dungeons, the royal household faces a problem, for the butler is the brains behind the crown, not bumbling Fabian. And so it falls to young kitchen hand Frank to step into the breach (or should that be breeches?) as the royal butler, and it falls also to Frank to step up to save Fabian from unfortunate fart-triggered embarrassment.
Spin Me Right Round
13+ readers YA readers
Telling a time-slip tale of 1980s homophobia and friendship, David Valdes' You Spin Me Right Round is a thrilling rollercoaster ride of humour and a heart - think Back to the Future with a 21st-century twist. Luis Gonzales, a drama-loving 17-year-old fashionista of Cuban heritage, is his high school's Student Body President and on the Prom Council, determined to change school policy so he and his boyfriend Cheng can go to prom together - the "opposite gender" guest policy sucks. Reeling from having his dream quashed at a meeting, Luis is transported to a 1985 incarnation of his school, back to when his mom and dad attended. "I'm here, I'm queer, it's 1985 - get used to it", Luis announces with bravado, but life for a gay brown teenager in a predominantly white Christian school in the 80's is far from easy. With time ticking away, and Luiz desperate to find a way to save closeted Chaz from homophobia and get back to his mom and Cheng, readers are in for a trip that's thought- provoking and funny, with Luiz's slick, witty voice propelling the drama at breakneck speed.
My Magic Family
Baby and Toddler 3+ readers
A little girl introduces us to her magic family, comprising 'Mama, Mum and me'. At nursery she asks her teacher whether all children have two mums. The teacher asks the class, and the answers are lovely, as the children proudly describe their wonderful families, assigning the adults in their lives all sorts of unusual jobs and quite a few magical powers too. It makes for a very lively, varied, all-embracing story, told through sparky rhymes and in joyful pictures. Overall, too it's full of love, and that's where we end, 'But a family is magic, no matter who is who/ Real and fantastical, they're full of love for you!'
The Marvellous Granny Jinks and Me: Animal Magic!
5+ readers
Hurrah for marvellously magical grannies! This second book in Serena Holly's glorious Granny Jinks series is a joy for newly independent readers, with Selom Sunu's characterfully bold illustrations and themes of friendship, self-belief and community adding further depth and delight. What's more, this story was inspired by Jenny Mayers, the first Black woman to be accepted into the Magic Circle, and shares secrets of a few magic tricks readers can try at home. When Granny Jinks and Jada head to a very important meeting to watch a very important person at the Dalton Green Magic Society (namely, the Luminous Ms Leyla), Jada can tell from the twinkling in her granny's eyes that Granny Jinks will soon be on her way to performing tricks as marvellous as Ms Leyla's. When Granny Jinks has doubts, Jada reminds her to "shoot for the moon" and "dream big". That's all well and good, until their magical assistant, Luna the cat, seems set on making mischief! With lots of lovely dialogue and a skipping sense of drama, this is a sweetly magical story to encourage independent reading, or share.
Only on the Weekends
YA readers
The highly anticipated second novel from Carnegie shortlisted Dean Atta will not disappoint fans of his unmistakeably authentic and honest #ownvoices debut verse novel The Black Flamingo. Once again drawing on his own experiences, in this case of moving from London to Scotland, this novel revolves around Mack, who is forced to accompany his film maker father and sole parent to Glasgow, leaving behind his slowly blossoming relationship with his first love Karim, a basketball star and the hottest boy in school. Mack is a true romantic, openly and unashamedly gay but with low self esteem and high levels of anxiety. He doubts his busy father's feelings for him and wonders if his two lifelong friends like him for more than his home cinema. K is very much still in the closet and can offer little reassurance especially at a distance. Meeting Finlay, the super confident gay star of his Dad's film, and feeling an immediate connection creates a real moral dilemma for Mack. This is a wonderfully multi-layered depiction of complex characters and the verse novel format shows again that it is so well suited to capturing emotions. There is not just a beautiful economy of language but the spacing and layout on the page recreates the drama of each moment perfectly. There is warmth, humour, a real love for Glasgow and a positive celebration of love, diversity and inclusivity in this memorable and hugely engaging novel. A real must have for library collections.
Freddy the Superstar
5+ readers 7+ readers
Freddy's life is . . . mixed. He's a superpowered robot (YAY!) . . . Who also has to go to school (BOO!). But when Freddy and his pals gets involved in the school science fair, his robot abilities mean he's suddenly the centre of attention! Which Freddy 100% loves. Will Freddy let this brush with fame go to his head? Of course he will! But that might not go down so well with his friends . . .
The Boy Who Got Accidentally Famous
9+ readers 11+ readers
Billy Smith is ordinary with a capital O, so how on earth does he end up as internet sensation Hashtag OrdinaryBilly, Hashtag Relatabill? All is revealed in The Boy Who Accidentally Got Famous, David Baddiel's typically funny and engaging new adventure. Billy's life is changed in totally unexpected ways when TOTALTV TV descend on his school to film reality show School Daze, resulting in him swapping fish finger teas with mum and dad for red carpet film premieres. Sort of anyway… The storyline is deliciously unpredictable, but Baddiel's depiction of Billy and his friends is as accurate as ever, and his shots at TV producers very funny too. Could that be inspired by real life? Most of us will never know. A great read for anyone who's ever imagined themselves famous for five minutes.
Source: https://www.lovereading4kids.co.uk/genre/hum/Funny.html
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