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erielkiersten's review against another edition
5.0
Never thought James Patterson could write an awesome novel such as this. Made me realize how all-around, or whatever the word is I'm trying to say. But God, I loved reading this. I could read this again, that's for sure.
hartstrings's review against another edition
3.0
Cute. Though I was rolling my eyes at some of the jokes, I can see the appeal for any joke-loving kid.
Audio was pretty good as read by Frankie Seratch.
Summary: Resolving to become the world's greatest stand-up comedian despite less-than-funny challenges in his life, wheelchair-bound middle school student Jamie Grimm endures bullying from his mean-spirited cousin and hopes he will be fairly judged when he enters a local comedy contest.
Audio was pretty good as read by Frankie Seratch.
Summary: Resolving to become the world's greatest stand-up comedian despite less-than-funny challenges in his life, wheelchair-bound middle school student Jamie Grimm endures bullying from his mean-spirited cousin and hopes he will be fairly judged when he enters a local comedy contest.
smw229's review against another edition
3.0
so it was a little sad mixed with a little funny. not bad but not as funny as I would have liked it too be.
nahnisbookz's review against another edition
3.0
Jamie loves telling jokes. He's a new kid in school and already has made a couple of good friends. But is he using his sense of humor to deflect from talking about more serious topics -- like why he's in a wheelchair? Why does he live with his aunt & uncle in the city? Jamie's background story keeps you reading while he struggles with self-doubt as to whether he is actually funny. His decision to perform his comic routine at the Planet's Funniest Kid Contest gets him more attention in school. The roller coaster ride of pride mixed with self-doubt is true-to-life. A good book for middle-schoolers who are struggling to find their own place in the world.
cindy_leavemetomybooks's review against another edition
4.0
The jokes were decidedly not funny, but this book about a middle school standup comedian in a wheelchair was charming enough that it still won me over. I don’t think I’ll bother reading the two sequels, but I’d recommend it to kids.
dchaseb's review against another edition
5.0
I Funny was a book that I chose for the kids in the after school book club I attend. While the humor is mostly elementary (of course it is, look at the targeted audience), there are still some funny jokes that found me laughing. The story follows orphaned Jamie Grimm who is a wheel-chair bound, hopeful stand-up comedian. The story contains the typical middle-school drama and situations of most middle-readers (bullies, cafeteria lunches with friends, girls) but Jamie's use of humor to get through these situations is unique. The main plot line follows Jamie as he tries to win a contest to be known as the Planet's Funniest Kid Comic.
The message of anti-pity is one I thoroughly enjoyed. It looks down on the "participation trophy" mentality in a way. There is an instance when Jamie is overjoyed to actually be bullied and punched in the gut just like any other kid with bully problems. To me, this is true inclusion. No special favors or pity points but truly treating everybody equally. This makes me like this book more than Wonder (which is still great, don't get me wrong).
The message of anti-pity is one I thoroughly enjoyed. It looks down on the "participation trophy" mentality in a way. There is an instance when Jamie is overjoyed to actually be bullied and punched in the gut just like any other kid with bully problems. To me, this is true inclusion. No special favors or pity points but truly treating everybody equally. This makes me like this book more than Wonder (which is still great, don't get me wrong).
lesahreader's review against another edition
4.0
Jamie is dreaming of becoming the funniest kid in the state. Everyday events help him practice and develop material for his routine. His nerdy friends and teachers, humourless stepfamily, super bully step brother, uncle Frankie's diner and its patrons and Cool Girl all contribute as Jamie tries to overcome his fears and win the contest.
Seventy short, extensively illustrated, joke filled chapters keep readers interested in Jamie's quest for the comedic life. Jamie deals with being in a wheelchair in a middle school with laughter and a desire to be treated 'normally'. The ongoing bullying by Stephen Kosgrove (stepbrother) is only partially resolved when Jamie uses put downs as part of his routine and revisits his past.
Recommended: 11 - 14 years
Subject/theme: comedy, bullying, middle school
Seventy short, extensively illustrated, joke filled chapters keep readers interested in Jamie's quest for the comedic life. Jamie deals with being in a wheelchair in a middle school with laughter and a desire to be treated 'normally'. The ongoing bullying by Stephen Kosgrove (stepbrother) is only partially resolved when Jamie uses put downs as part of his routine and revisits his past.
Recommended: 11 - 14 years
Subject/theme: comedy, bullying, middle school
tmaluck's review against another edition
2.0
Some 95% of this book is fine by me and reads as a tweaked version of the first couple Middle School books. Insecurity + humor + family intrigue + being subject to then overcoming a harmful influence or presence = a pleasant formula. I like Jamie and his outlook on life throughout the book. He's going through a lot and uses humor to brighten others' spirits as well as his own. However, there are four elements that knocked this down a peg...
1) He reconciles with his bully too easily/quickly, considering how he was treated. At one point Jamie's adoptive brother and his buddies dump him out of his wheelchair and toss him over a railing onto a beach at night, alone, taking his chair with them. Jamie is intimidated out of identifying his attackers. He is constantly worried about being beaten, but by the end, this family abuser admits Jamie's got good jokes and they shake hands. That's a little too neat of a resolution, even if it ends up getting addressed in sequels.
2) The lists of comedians Jamie researches, and what that consists of. Jamie studies a lot of comedians, and he does make use of some of them, such as when he quotes George Carlin, Steven Wright, and Groucho Marx. However, based on his stand-up material, I don't see a whole lot of his other favorites, like Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Louis CK... Jamie's material is mostly stuff you would find in a joke book, with no style or flair behind it. Contrast those influences and delivery with the kid at the comedy contest who gets jeers for reciting basic jokes. We do see Jamie somewhat "level up" into making observations about his friends and family, and using his jokes to tell a story (that he refers to his effective "bits" is charming), but I also had trouble picturing an auditorium cracking up at his material. I say all this as someone who grew up watching Comedy Central, so there's just a certain expectation that comes with rolling off a list of comedians and then making jokes about crossing a parrot with a shark.
3) Are Jamie's personal jokes hurtful, or not? When he goes personal with his jokes, the book makes sure to highlight how wrong it is to use people as targets for cheap laughs. That's an important element of comedy! Then the message turns around and everyone was actually fine with the treatment. Just seemed like a free pass.
4) I appreciated the book's portrayal of Jamie's mobility and sensitivity to how people treat him in his wheelchair. He wants to be treated as ordinary, not a pity case. He doesn't want special treatment, just fairness. He enjoys moving around NYC because nobody pays him any mind. Cool! Then the book uses its final act to unload the loss that explains Jamie's circumstances, including his road to recovery. The arc itself is compelling and lends depth to Jamie on paper, but its placement felt shallow. I'm an adult reading a MG book, though, so I might be too harsh on this point.
Spoiler
1) He reconciles with his bully too easily/quickly, considering how he was treated. At one point Jamie's adoptive brother and his buddies dump him out of his wheelchair and toss him over a railing onto a beach at night, alone, taking his chair with them. Jamie is intimidated out of identifying his attackers. He is constantly worried about being beaten, but by the end, this family abuser admits Jamie's got good jokes and they shake hands. That's a little too neat of a resolution, even if it ends up getting addressed in sequels.
2) The lists of comedians Jamie researches, and what that consists of. Jamie studies a lot of comedians, and he does make use of some of them, such as when he quotes George Carlin, Steven Wright, and Groucho Marx. However, based on his stand-up material, I don't see a whole lot of his other favorites, like Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Louis CK... Jamie's material is mostly stuff you would find in a joke book, with no style or flair behind it. Contrast those influences and delivery with the kid at the comedy contest who gets jeers for reciting basic jokes. We do see Jamie somewhat "level up" into making observations about his friends and family, and using his jokes to tell a story (that he refers to his effective "bits" is charming), but I also had trouble picturing an auditorium cracking up at his material. I say all this as someone who grew up watching Comedy Central, so there's just a certain expectation that comes with rolling off a list of comedians and then making jokes about crossing a parrot with a shark.
3) Are Jamie's personal jokes hurtful, or not? When he goes personal with his jokes, the book makes sure to highlight how wrong it is to use people as targets for cheap laughs. That's an important element of comedy! Then the message turns around and everyone was actually fine with the treatment. Just seemed like a free pass.
4) I appreciated the book's portrayal of Jamie's mobility and sensitivity to how people treat him in his wheelchair. He wants to be treated as ordinary, not a pity case. He doesn't want special treatment, just fairness. He enjoys moving around NYC because nobody pays him any mind. Cool! Then the book uses its final act to unload the loss that explains Jamie's circumstances, including his road to recovery. The arc itself is compelling and lends depth to Jamie on paper, but its placement felt shallow. I'm an adult reading a MG book, though, so I might be too harsh on this point.
ladyomni's review against another edition
4.0
Jamie Grimm wants to be a standup comedian without so much standing. He faces middle school, bullies, and the stage. It is a cute funny read, though I might have missed this part... Why doesn't Frankie take in Jamie? At least he would get away from Stevie for a little bit.