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I Funny: A Middle School Story Audiobook
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(3.01) - 986 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
#1 bestselling author James Patterson doles out the laughs in the first book in the hit series! Middle-schooler Jamie Grimm faces bullies and self-doubt as he chases his dream of becoming the world’s greatest comedian.
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. When his 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?
Prepare to laugh and cheer along with Jamie in this highly-illustrated, heartfelt middle school story.
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"My 11 year old and I read this book together and we found it very enjoyable. Throughout the story the reader has to wonder how this delightfully funny kid not only came to live with his obnoxiously boring aunt and her family, but how he wound up in a wheelchair, too. The story concludes with Jamie, the main character, hitting a high point in his young, very talented career, along with him sharing the tragic story that befell his family. My heart ached to find out what led Jamie to his current situation and shocked my son. I think it was one of those moments in his life where he could understand that even though this was just a fictional book, it could very much happen to any family and lives could change in an instant. Very good story and we are hoping for a sequel, which was hinted about at the end of the book."
— Teresa (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“The broad humor that runs throughout this story...masks personal pain, demonstrating resiliency in the face of tragedy.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“A brimming bucket of ba-da-bing!”
— Booklist -
“Through Jamie’s evolving relationship with the intriguing Suzie, a.k.a. Cool Girl, readers learn about his devastating loss and recovery from a tragic event...The affecting ending, which reveals a more vulnerable Jamie behind the guise of his humor, celebrates Jamie’s resilient spirit.”
— Kirkus Reviews -
....Poignant.... Readers learn about [Jamie's] devastating loss and recovery from a tragic event....The affecting ending, which reveals a more vulnerable Jamie behind the guise of his humor, celebrates Jamie's resilient spirit.
— Kirkus Reviews -
The broad humor that runs throughout this heavily illustrated story... masks personal pain, demonstrating resiliency in the face of tragedy.
— Publishers Weekly -
Play[s] readers' heartstrings like a banjo.... A brimming bucket of bada-bing!
— Booklist
Awards
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A #1 New York Times bestseller
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A USA Today bestseller
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A Publishers Weekly bestseller
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A Wall Street Journal bestseller
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A 2014 Maryland Children’s Book Award Nominee for Grades 4-6
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A 2014 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award Nominee
I Funny Listener Reviews
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" This book has characters you can empathize with, but it has a lackluster ending and lame jokes. "
— Thom1197, 2/18/2014 -
" It was really not very funny. It was very sad at times. I have always enjoyed James Patterson's work, though i think this was not his best. I did ike the book in many ways, but it was laso a little boring too. Overall it was a good book "
— Emily, 2/16/2014 -
" Got some good jokes out of it "
— Grace, 2/6/2014 -
" My very first James Patterson! "
— pati, 1/22/2014 -
" I liked the old-school humor, was glad to see Jamie giving credit to classic comedians. I am going to loan this to my middle schoolers during silent reading; I'm curious to see if this is their humor. I think the drawings in the book would keep a younger reader's interest. "
— Dmehringer, 1/9/2014 -
" it was cheesy at times, had a good meaning because it was about a kid in a wheel chair and he was trying to become a stand up comedian and he tries his hardest "
— Soccer-is-awesome, 1/9/2014 -
" it is really a funny book it is funny and if your interested it is called I FUNNY author JAMES PATTERSON and CHRIS GRABENSTEIN I RECOMMEND this book to children and teenagers and it is really funnny "
— Ashaa, 1/7/2014 -
" i love this book. I love the story and its characters. how Jamie keeps his accident mystery until almost the very end. James Patterson has a talent of putting suspense, exitement, tragedy and sorrow in one novel. i reccomend this book highly to kids who like good novels. "
— Leo, 1/4/2014 -
" Wimpy Kids fans will enjoy getting to know Jamie Grimm, whose backstory is slowly uncovered over the course of a tale in which Jamie decides to enter the America's Funniest Kid contest. "
— Kim, 12/19/2013 -
" it was hilarious he funny "
— Sjs, 12/12/2013 -
" No kid is ever going to win any contest with anything stolen...and every one of his jokes was stolen from other, already famous comics. The least you could have done was write your own jokes, Jamie. "
— Zana, 12/2/2013 -
" My daughter and I read this book together. We both enjoyed it very much. It had good lessons too. "
— Lori, 11/12/2013 -
" Fun middle school read with male protagonist. It will be an easy sell in the library. "
— Ms., 8/25/2013 -
" I read this to my 6th graders and it was okay. They didn't get most of the jokes in the book and that caused it to drag a bit. Ultimately we liked the Rafe books by James Patterson better. "
— Kelly, 6/2/2013 -
" This book just didn't make me laugh. Seemed contrived. "
— Virginia, 4/6/2013 -
" This book was okay but it was more for younger readers.I read all of James Pattersons book regardless of the age level they are for.I think for middle school children this is a good book. It shows that there are good ways to cope with the stresses of growing up. "
— Michelle, 3/26/2013 -
" The main character grated on my nerves by the end of the story, the adoptive brother is unbelievably one dimensional, but my 3 kids laughed and laughed as I read it to them. The pics will draw in reluctant readers, and overall it has a decent plot. "
— Anne, 3/11/2013 -
" Perfect for the middle age reader in your life. Younger kids love this book, and it will keep you laughing and make you get a touch emotional. "
— Jen, 12/29/2012
About the Authors
James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time. He is the creator of unforgettable characters and series, including Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Effing Smith, and Maximum Ride, and of breathtaking true stories about the Kennedys, John Lennon, and Princess Diana, as well as our military heroes, police officers, and ER nurses. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton and Dolly Parton, told the story of his own life in James Patterson by James Patterson, and received an Edgar Award, nine Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.
Chris Grabenstein is a New York Times bestselling author who has collaborated with James Patterson on numerous books, including the I Funny series and Daniel X: Armageddon. He lives in New York City.
About Frankie Seratch
Frankie Seratch has appeared in numerous plays, including the Broadway musical The Landing. Also an accomplished narrator, he is the reader of James Patterson’s popular I Funny series.