If you're looking for a book for your child that combines humor, coming-of-age lessons, and a little bit of nonconformity, our friends at Common Sense Media [1] have a list of 17 books your tween or teen needs to add to their reading list.
Virtually all teens go through a period where they feel like they just don't fit in. That's what makes the main characters in these novels and memoirs so relatable — they're misfits, too (or at least they think they are!). And they're funny, too — always a plus. For more teen stories, see our Coming-of-Age Books [2] and Teen Romance Novels [3] lists.
Browse Books About Funny Misfit Teens:
All ages [4]
Tweens (10-12) [5]
Teens (13+) [6]
Sex Kittens and Horn Dawgs Fall in Love
Sex Kittens and Horn Dawgs Fall in Love [7] by Maryrose Wood
Ages 12+
Terrible title masks terrific book for teens.
Continue Reading [8]
Sophomores and Other Oxymorons
Sophomores and Other Oxymorons [9] by David Lubar
Ages 12+
Funny, charming look at ups and downs of boy's second year.
Continue Reading [10]
The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin
The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin [11] by Josh Berk
Ages 13+
Funny, overweight, deaf -- the new kid is an unlikely hero.
Continue Reading [12]
ghostgirl
ghostgirl [13] by Tonya Hurley
Ages 13+
Darkly funny book is full of Goth-chic style.
Continue Reading [14]
Thieving Weasels
Thieving Weasels [15] by Billy Taylor
Ages 13+
Dark, funny tale of teen trying to flee his criminal family.
Continue Reading [16]
We Should Hang Out Sometime: Embarrassingly, a True Story
We Should Hang Out Sometime: Embarrassingly, a True Story [17] by Josh Sundquist
Ages 13+
Funny memoir of a boy trying to get his first girlfriend.
Continue Reading [18]
When Dimple Met Rishi
When Dimple Met Rishi [19] by Sandhya Menon
Ages 13+
Opposites begin to attract in sweet arranged-union tale.
Continue Reading [20]
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian [21] by Sherman Alexie
Ages 14+
Funny, gritty, and powerful novel of growing up on the rez.
Continue Reading [22]
An Abundance of Katherines
An Abundance of Katherines [23] by John Green
Ages 14+
Comic slacker-geek lit is fun for the right teen.
Continue Reading [24]
Dumplin'
Dumplin' [25] by Julie Murphy
Ages 14+
Smart, funny, plus-size coming-of-age story.
Continue Reading [26]
The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue
The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue [27] by Mackenzi Lee
Ages 14+
Funny, exciting escapades of bisexual English teen in 1700s.
Continue Reading [28]
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl [29] by Jesse Andrews
Ages 14+
Tale of dying teen is full of embarrassing comic moments.
Continue Reading [30]
Gert Garibaldi's Rants and Raves: One Butt Cheek at a Time
Gert Garibaldi's Rants and Raves: One Butt Cheek at a Time [31] by Amber Kizer
Ages 15+
Hilarious high school angst with frank sex talk.
Continue Reading [32]
Going Bovine
Going Bovine [33] by Libba Bray
Ages 15+
Edgy, quirky road trip fantasy skewers reality TV and more.
Continue Reading [34]
I Love You, Beth Cooper
I Love You, Beth Cooper [35] by Larry Doyle
Ages 15+
Witty, raunchy novel spiked with geeky humor.
Continue Reading [36]
King Dork
King Dork [37] by Frank Portman
Ages 15+
Dark, funny coming-of-age with lots of mature content.
Continue Reading [38]
Struck by Lightning: The Carson Phillips Journal
Struck by Lightning: The Carson Phillips Journal [39] by Chris Colfer
Ages 16+
Brilliantly funny, insightful, dark high school tragicomedy.
Continue Reading [40]