Kids Humor
MAGIC PICKLE by Scott Morse
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In a secret underground lab, a scientist’s experimentation with kitchen vegetables resulted in the birth of a highly skilled, superhuman government agent known as “Weapon Kosher.” And yes, he is actually a pickle. For years, Weapon Kosher has been dormant in Dr. Jekyll Formaldahyde’s laboratory–which happens to be underneath Jo Jo’s bedroom. Now the Brotherhood of Evil Vegetables is causing havoc in the outside world and only Weapon Kosher (or “Magic Pickle,” as Jo Jo likes to call him) can stand in their way.
While not a stunning literary achievement, the Magic Pickle series has its funny moments. It will likely appeal most to readers in grades 2-4 who like silly science fiction stories. Read-alikes include the Dragonbreath series, Zombiekins by Kevin Bolger, Whales on Stilts, the Lunch Lady series, and Captain Underpants. Readers who enjoyed the Magic Pickle books and are ready to move up to thicker, more challenging novels may like Michael Buckley’s N.E.R.D.S. series.
THE CHAMELEON WORE CHARTREUSE by Bruce Hale
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Chet Gecko is a fourth grade private eye. He is also a lizard. When a dame with a sob-story about a missing little brother corners him after class, he knows he’ll have to take the case. With the help of Natalie, the mockingbird, Chet Gecko follows a trail of clues that lead him closer and closer to the missing kid and the sixth grade Gila Monster who may be behind the disappearance. If only his teachers didn’t keep getting in the way . . .
Chet Gecko narrates his story in a style worthy of the best film noir voice-over. With clues, twists, and a touch of danger, this series is sure to win the affections of elementary school readers who enjoy humorous detective stories. Third and fourth graders who liked the Nate the Great series as beginning readers should definitely check out Chet Gecko. He’s quite a character.
If you liked the Chet Gecko mysteries, you might like “Who Could That Be At This Hour?” by Lemony Snicket and Half Moon Investigations by Eoin Colfer.
N.E.R.D.S. by Michael Buckley
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Jackson didn’t used to be observant; he didn’t need to be. He was a star football player, and the most popular kid in school. He split his time mostly between sports and torturing the “nerd herd,” the allergic, asthmatic, geeky weirdos at the bottom rung of the social ladder. But then came the diagnosis that would doom his social life: Jackson needed braces. Not just braces. The most convoluted, horrific, uncool metal headgear imaginable. At first he hoped that his friends wouldn’t judge him based on the new braces, but alas, Jackson plummeted down to the bottom of the ladder almost immediately. That is when he became observant. No one talks to him, so he begins to notice things about people. And when he notices that the nerd herd has a strange habit of sneezing all at the same time and then disappearing from class, Jackson decides to figure out what they’re up to. His spying lands him in a secret laboratory where a strange computer takes him hostage and upgrades his braces with nanotechnology to turn them into some sort of robotic fighting machine and a secret agent named Brand invites him to join a super-secret espionage team. It turns out that this team is made up of none other than the nerd herd who are not particularly delighted to have their former tormentor on board. Still, they might need all the help they can get if they want to have any hope of stopping the evil Dr. Jigsaw from achieving world domination.
N.E.R.D.S. is a very silly, quirky, sci-fi adventure with a healthy blend of action, slapstick comedy, bathroom humor, and parodies of comic book cliches. It will likely appeal very much to upper elementary and middle grade readers. A sequel follows: NERDS 2: M is for Mama’s Boy.
If you like the N.E.R.D.S. series, you might like the Lunch Lady books by Jarrett Krosoczka.
THE STRANGE CASE OF ORIGAMI YODA by Tom Angleberger
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This book is a casefile compiled by sixth grader, Tommy, as he struggles to figure out the truth: does Origami Yoda have magical powers? Dwight, who created Origami Yoda and wears him on his finger, is the weirdest kid in school, and it seems like he never does anything right. So how is it possible that when Dwight is speaking as Origami Yoda, he gives the best possible advice and even sees into the future? It is vitally important to determine whether or not Origami Yoda is really magic or just a hoax, because Tommy needs to decide whether to take Origami Yoda’s latest advice in a matter of life-changing proportion.
This book is incredibly funny and great for upper elementary and middle school students; it is especially popular among boys. It includes instructions for creating your own personal Origami Yoda (magic powers not included).
If you liked The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, you might also be interested in How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell, Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney, and the Big Nate books by Lincoln Peirce.
THE TRUE MEANING OF SMEKDAY by Adam Rex
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What is the true meaning of Smekday–the day formerly known as Christmas, the day that the Boovish aliens arrived to colonize Earth, and the day the Boov left one year later? This is the essay question that Gratuity “Tip” Tucci must answer. The winning essay will be put in a time capsule that will be opened in 100 years. In her three attempts at writing the essay, Tip gradually reveals the story of the Boov’s arrival and the events that followed.
While trying to reach the human reservation in Florida by car, Tip and her cat, Pig, met up with a Boov criminal, who has taken as his Earth name J.Lo. (a name that he believes is a popular Earth name due to its frequent appearance in media publications). Together they travel across the country searching for Tip’s mom, who was abducted toward the beginning of the invasion. Then Tip, J.Lo, and Pig join forces with a gang of boys who have been hiding in a secret tunnel system under Disney World, and together, they drive the Gorg (another set of invading aliens–much more evil than the Boov) out of Earth. Throughout her story, Tip includes illustrations and pages of comics drawn by J.Lo who can’t write in English.
This book is both hilarious and poignant, a nice blend of hard- and soft-science fiction, approaching issues of race and prejudice through the blunt, sarcastic, witty voice of 11 yr. old Tip. The book is written for an upper elementary/middle school reading level. It is one of my all-time favorites.
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