Funny books for 10 year olds: how to pick one they'll actually read
Buying a book for a 10 year old for Christmas or a birthday? Here's honest advice on what makes children this age laugh, the kinds of funny book that tend to work, and how to make the gift land – whether you're a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle or teacher.
Full disclosure: this page is written by the team behind Murphy's Law for Kids, so we do mention our own book. The rest of the advice applies to any funny book.
Why 10 is a great age for funny books
Ten is a funny age in more ways than one. In the UK most 10 year olds are in Year 5 or Year 6; in the US and Canada they're usually in 4th or 5th grade; in Australia, Year 4 or 5. They're old enough to get sarcasm, wordplay and the joke behind the joke, but still young enough to find a well-timed disaster absolutely hilarious.
It's also an age when reading habits can wobble. Some children race through long series; others decide reading is "for school" and stop doing it for fun. Humour is one of the best ways back in: a book that makes them laugh doesn't feel like homework, and they'll often read the funny bit out loud to someone – reading practice they won't even notice.
The trick is matching the kind of funny to the child, and choosing a format that doesn't feel like a mountain to climb.
Kinds of funny book that 10 year olds enjoy
There's no single "right" funny book for a 10 year old, but most of the books children this age love fall into a few broad types:
Joke and riddle books
Quick wins, endlessly re-readable, and perfect for testing on the family. Best for kids who like to perform.
Comics and graphic novels
Pictures carry part of the story, which takes pressure off children who find dense pages tiring. Real reading, just in a friendlier shape.
Funny fiction series
Great for children who already enjoy stories – and if they love book one, your next presents are sorted.
Funny non-fiction and "true life" humour
Weird facts, silly science and books that poke fun at everyday life. Ideal for children who prefer real things to made-up ones.
Humour about familiar situations – school, siblings, homework, friends, phones and games – tends to work for almost everyone at this age, because the child gets to say "that's SO me".
How to choose the right funny book for a 10 year old
- Think about how they read now, not how they "should". Reading ability at 10 varies hugely. A confident reader may be happy with a long novel; a reluctant one will be far more likely to open something short and light.
- Short sections beat big chapters for reluctant readers. A page or two at a time feels doable at bedtime, in the car or while waiting for tea.
- Match the humour to the child. Some kids love silly and slapstick; others prefer clever, dry or "so true it hurts". Not sure? Ask a parent what makes them laugh on TV.
- Avoid anything that looks babyish. Ten year olds can be sensitive about being seen with a "little kid" book, especially near Year 6 or the end of elementary school.
- Pick the right format. Paperbacks are easy to post and pack, hardbacks feel more like a keepsake, and an ebook arrives instantly if you've left it late.
Our pick: Murphy's Law for Kids
Murphy's Law for Kids by Professor Max Murphy is written for ages 8–12, so a 10 year old sits right in the middle of its range. It's a humour book of 101 hilariously true rules about why things go wrong at the worst possible moment – the toast that lands butter-side down, the teacher who picks you when you don't know the answer, the printer that breaks the night before the project is due.
The laws cover school, homework, friendships, siblings, sports, technology and family life, in short, punchy chapters that suit reluctant readers. Underneath the jokes, each one quietly makes the point that setbacks are normal, not personal – resilience, delivered as a laugh rather than a lecture.
Want to see the style first? Read 10 sample laws written for this website, or try our free Murphy's Law games together.
Get your copy on Amazon
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Several books have similar titles. This one is by Professor Max Murphy with the bright yellow toast-and-egg cover (paperback ASIN B0GS7134BP). The buttons on this site go to the right listing.
Making a book feel like a proper present
A book on its own can look a bit "worthy" next to a pile of gadgets. A few small touches help it hold its own:
Write a note inside
A short, funny message on the first page makes it personal – and gives them a reason to open it straight away.
Make it a challenge
"Find the funniest page and read it to me" turns a book into a game, and gets you a laugh too.
Add a small extra
A notebook for their own jokes or laws, a reading torch, or a bookmark – small, cheap and useful.
Posting it from far away? Use the store picker to buy from the child's own Amazon store (UK, US, Canada or Australia) and send it straight to them. December delivery dates vary, so check the estimate on Amazon first.
Got an older sibling to buy for as well? Murphy's Law for Teens covers school stress, social drama and group chats; the Kindle edition is out now and the paperback is coming soon. For more ideas, see our Christmas gift guide for kids 8–12 who "don't like reading".
Questions grown-ups ask
What kind of funny books do 10 year olds like?
It varies a lot from child to child, but popular choices at this age include joke and riddle books, comics and graphic novels, funny fiction series, 'weird but true' fact books and humour books about everyday life. The safest bet is humour about things they already know: school, siblings, friends, homework and screens.
Is Murphy's Law for Kids suitable for a 10 year old?
Yes. It is written for children aged 8 to 12, so a 10 year old is right in the middle of the age range. Amazon lists a reading age of 6 to 15.
My 10 year old says reading is boring. Will a funny book help?
It often does. Many children who say they don't like reading actually mean they don't like long reading. Short sections, jokes and situations they recognise make it much easier to start - and to keep going. Murphy's Law for Kids was written with reluctant readers in mind, in short, punchy chapters.
Is Murphy's Law for Kids a joke book?
Not exactly. It is a humour book of 101 'laws' about everyday life - school, homework, friendships, siblings, sports, technology and family - each explained in a funny, relatable way. It is not a story book, so children can dip in anywhere.
What if they are nearly a teenager?
For older brothers and sisters there is Murphy's Law for Teens, which covers school stress, social drama, group chats and exams. The Kindle edition is out now and the paperback is coming soon.
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