A review by arielle_reads
I Funny by Chris Grabenstein, James Patterson

4.0

This book was a whole heck of a lot better than I thought it was going to be. When I think of kids humor--I think of some really lame and immature jokes that are in no way funny to me--a 24 year old. I was very happily surprised though. This book was of course a comedy, but also had important lessons about the importance of friends and family. For those that haven't read this, the main character and jokester, Jamie Grimm, is in a wheelchair. He doesn't want any special treatment or pity laughs when it comes to his comedic acts. When "Cool Girl" makes him realize that he doesn't have to cover up serious emotions with jokes all the time, he confides in her about why he is in a wheelchair and feels relieved afterwards. My favorite quote that I think could sum up the message of the book was:

"You ever hear this old expression: When the world says 'Give up,' hope whispers 'Try it one more time'? Neither had I. Not until I came here, and some anonymous night nurse scribbled it on my cast. With a Sharpie. We're talking permanent ink, people. That little slogan didn't come off until the cast did. But the hope? I still got it. Big-time."