A hilarious new tale from the author of the bestselling MIDDLE SCHOOL series
I
FUNNy
James Pat ter so n
C o m in g
soon
Activity Kit
I
A hilarious new tale from the author of the bestselling MIDDLE SCHOOL series
FUNNy
James Pat ter so n
Dear Reader,
Meet Jamie Grimm—a kid who is SERIOUSLY funny. Despite a not-so-funny stepfamily and regular
torment from the school bully, Jamie makes his way through Middle School using his comic chops—
a talent he’s ready to share with the world. When the perfect opportunity arises in the form of a contest
to crown The Planet’s Funniest Kid Comic, Jamie jumps at the chance. But does this young comic
have what it takes to win over the world with his talent?
Just like Jamie, this book is FUNNY. Readers will be treated to (but is not limited to) jokes about
penguins, zombies, Darth Vader, chicken nuggets, American history, Vulcans, nachos, math teachers…
What better way to get in the spirit of this hilarious new adventure from James Patterson then with this
I FUNNY activity kit? Inside this kit you’ll find reproducible activities, discussion questions, and more
to aid in adapting this side-splitting tale for your classroom or reading group.
Happy Reading!
The pranksters at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Activity Kit
I
A hilarious new tale from the author of the bestselling MIDDLE SCHOOL series
FUNNy
James Pat ter so n
Discussion QUestions
Use these questions to lead a discussion after reading the book!
1. How does Jaime respond to the way other
people treat him? What emotions motivate
him to action?
2.Jaime tells jokes in every situation, all day long,
with everyone to whom he talks. What feelings
might he actually be trying to cover up with
humor? How does humor help Jaime make
friends?
3. On page 28, Jaime comments that, “Friends
are the family we choose.” Why do Pierce and
Gaynor qualify as family to Jaime? In what
ways do they treat him “normal?”
4. How does Jaime handle the “middle school
monsters” who bully others? In what way is
Jaime traumatized by his “brother,” Stevie
Kosgrov? Why would Stevie and his friends
throw Jaime into the sand? How does
Jaime use humor to deflect Stevie’s negative
attention? Why are Jaime’s adoptive parents
blind to Stevie’s bullying?
7. What helps Jaime adjust and accept his life
without his family? What role do others play
in helping Jaime adjust to his new life?
How does Jaime’s attitude help others feel
at ease and enjoy his company?
8. What insight does the Cool Girl give
Jaime about himself? How does she help
him recognize the goodness in life and
acknowledge his handicap?
9. Why does Jaime choose Cool Girl when he
finally decides to talk about the night his
family dies? How does her response help
Jaime feel better?
10. On page 295 Jaime shares the expression,
“The world says, ‘Give up,’ hope whispers,
‘Try it one more time.’” How does Jaime’s life
prove that he believes this sentiment?
5. In what situations does Jaime show courage
and bravery? How do these attributes help
him achieve his goal of being the funniest kid?
6. Why would Jaime rather live with his Uncle
Frankie than his adoptive family? How is
Frankie a lifeline to Jaime? In what ways do
the Kosgrov’s make Jaime feel like an
unwelcome burden?
Activity Kit
I
A hilarious new tale from the author of the bestselling MIDDLE SCHOOL series
FUNNy
James Pat ter so n
I FUNNY — The Serious Stuff
I Funny is hilarious, but some of the issues Jamie encounters in the book are not so funny. The below
thematic connections are found throughout the book, and can be used for your classroom or library to
start a discussion about these issues.
Bullying
Unfortunately, bullying is a fact of life for many
children and sadly, most people have been bullied
at some point, have bullied someone else, or have
witnessed bullying in their lifetime.
Ask students to write about a time they had an
experience with bullying and then in small groups
to share their experiences. Have each group
discuss ways bullying can be avoided, ways to
respond when bullied, and ways to talk with peers
who may be bullying others.
Students should also look at life from the perspective
of “the bully.” What happens in a kid’s life that
makes him want to be mean to others? Have each
group write and present a skit over one of the
scenarios they have discussed.
Overcoming Stereotypes
Present several definitions of a stereotype to the
class and then ask students to share stereotypes
they see evident in their daily environments, for
example: Emo, Wannabe, Prep, Jock, and Nerd.
In general, what stereotypes surround older
people, teenagers, races, and religions?
In small groups, ask students to discuss the
ramifications of people choosing to act on
stereotypical behavior. How are stereotypes
developed and perpetuated in society?
How do these often unfair judgments, or stereotypes,
impact lives? How can acting on stereotypes
be avoided? What attitudes and beliefs support
stereotypes?
Ask each group to write a synopsis of their
discussion and the conclusions reached. Have
one person from each group share with the class
and then post the group responses.
Family Relationships
After Jaime’s parents and sisters died, the nature
of his family changed dramatically. Unfortunately,
Jaime is not alone in discovering how families
often must change and adapt in today’s society.
In small groups, ask students to research the types
of services available to children who lose family
members because of death, crime, and divorce.
Each group should prepare an informative brochure
that could be used for families in one of the abovementioned types of crisis.
The brochure should include agencies available
for support along with their contact information,
a list of steps families can take to help them
through the crisis, volunteer organizations
which offer free assistance, and other pertinent
information students find in their research. The
brochures can be placed in the school guidance
offices, local hospitals, and court buildings.
Activity Kit
I
A hilarious new tale from the author of the bestselling MIDDLE SCHOOL series
FUNNy
James Pat ter so n
Bringing F U NNY Into the Classroom
Jamie can be an inspiration to your students or reading group, and the below activities demonstrate
examples of ways you can use I Funny as a teaching tool.
Following Your Dreams
Create a Comedy Troupe
In I Funny, Jamie embraces his dream of becoming
a stand-up comic by researching comedians,
their lives, and their routines to learn how to be
successful, and his work pays off.
Ask students to create a comedy show they can
perform to help benefit others in their school,
nursing homes, and/or children’s wings in
hospitals. The following page includes ten tips
for writing a successful comedy routine to use in
preparing this assignment.
Gather your classroom together to have them
brainstorm a list of possible career choices. Ask
students to select a career in which they have an
interest, then follow Jaime’s example of discovering
information that will help them be successful.
Ask each student to find professionals in a career
who have been a success if they can, or put
together research on what steps they need to take
to move forward in that field. Then ask students to
prepare a presentation using technology to convey
what they have learned.
Allow students to choose a partner and then have
each team select one of the following assignments
that would best suit their talents:
• Locate venues for the performances. Teams
can contact hospitals, schools, and nursing
homes to set up a time for the comedy troupe
to perform.
• Design and print an illustrated program to
distribute at each performance. The program
should introduce the comedy teams and list
the order of the acts.
• Create a documentary of the process and
videotape each performance.
• Introduce each act/set and maintain the rhythm
of the show.
• Write and perform comedy routines and/or skits.
The remaining teams can devote their time to
writing and practicing their performance.
Activity Kit
I
A hilarious new tale from the author of the bestselling MIDDLE SCHOOL series
FUNNy
James Pat ter so n
Ten Tips to Writing a Successful Comedy Routine
1.Start with a Bang! Start your set with a brief,
but unique introduction. Every introduction
needs to have a hook to motivate the listener
to want to keep listening.
2.Follow the Formula. Start by stating the
set-up, a fact or opinion, and then follow with
a punch line, a funny or unexpected twist.
Familiar situations in daily life can also be
hysterical. For example; every day, at least
twice a day, I brush my teeth. I guess for minty
fresh breath I shouldn’t use hemorrhoid cream.
3.The One-liner is Key. The one-liner is a
popular format which can restate the obvious.
“Is the Pope Catholic?”; use wordplay, A fight
doesn’t determine who is right—only who is
left; or repeat a set-up. Jeff Foxworthy made
this last famous with the line, “You know you’re
a Redneck if…”
4.Surprise triggers Laughter. Lead the
audience to believe one thing and then surprise
them with another. For example, my teacher
said, “Please stay seated until the bell rings,
but before it rings, talk to your friends as much
as you want.”
5.Keep it Simple. When writing jokes, limit the
set-up to one or two sentences which contain all
the information the audience will need to “get”
the punch line.
6.Use that Pen and Paper! Pay attention
to conversations, listen for funny words and
stories, and watch for embarrassing moments
and write them down! Anything that makes
you laugh will probably make others laugh.
7.Style is Vital. Slapstick, dead-pan,
sarcastic, or angry. Your writing should match
the tone of your delivery and the audience for
which you plan to perform.
8.Know your Timing. Your comedy routine
should be 3 to 5 minutes long with a punch
line every 30 to 45 seconds.
9.Rehearse! Practice your set in front of
the mirror, so you can see your facial
expressions. Better yet, perform your set
and record it on video. Then play it back
and watch yourself. Gestures and facial
expression can make a joke funnier. Practice
will help you feel more confident when you
are on stage performing.
10.Take Notes! After you perform, keep the
jokes that made people laugh and either
rewrite or scratch the jokes that bombed.
Bottom line, enhance the good and eliminate
the bad!
In addition to the websites Jaime lists on the last page of the book I Funny,
you might visit the following sites for help on writing jokes for your comedy set.
http://www.netplaces.com/comedy-writing/
http://voices.yahoo.com/how-write-own-jokes-81442.html
Activity Kit
I
A hilarious new tale from the author of the bestselling MIDDLE SCHOOL series
FUNNy
James Pat ter so n
I Fu n ny Fun and Games
Comedy Camp in the Classroom!
Overcoming Stage Fright!
Split your classroom into groups of five, and use
the list below as inspiration to form mini standup comedy groups. Have each group select one
of the topics below to prepare a mini stand-up
comedy routine to share within the teams. Then,
have the teams choose one leader to get up and
perform their comedy bit in front of the class!
In I Funny, Jamie overcomes his nerves and
worries about performing in the Planet’s Funniest
Kid Comic Contest, and gets his act on stage.
Topic Suggestions:
Homework
Big Brothers/Sisters
Little Brothers/Sisters
Use the groups from the Comedy Camp in the
Classroom activity and have teams brainstorm
with each other one thing each of the group
members would like to do, but are afraid to do.
Then assign one team member to present these
fears to the classroom, to brainstorm ways to
take on that fear as a group.
This activity might offer a little of Jamie’s
courage to your students!
Parents
Bullies
Teachers
Spring Break
Summer Vacation
School Lunch
Video Games
Zombies
Junk Food
Activity Kit
I
A hilarious new tale from the author of the bestselling MIDDLE SCHOOL series
FUNNy
James Pat ter so n
I Fu n ny In And Out of the Classroom
Note: The next few pages contain reproducible activities to
incorporate into your classroom or group as takeaway sheets. Enjoy!
I Fu n ny Story!
Oh no! There are some key words missing in the story below! Pair up with a friend to complete the story
below, entering in a word that fits the part of speech noted for each blank.
Then read the story aloud!
The (adjective) Day Ever!
This morning, I woke up feeling very (adjective).
It was a school day, which meant I had to (verb) the school bus,
where I would enter my first class, (noun),
with my teacher (name of a famous person).
Today was especially (adjective) outside,
but I (verb, past tense) anyway, and made my way to school.
But once I got there, my best friend (name of famous person)
was there to (verb) me, and walk with me to class.
We (verb, past tense) all the way to class.
By the time I got there, I was feeling (adjective)
about my day, and ready to go.
Activity Kit
I
A hilarious new tale from the author of the bestselling MIDDLE SCHOOL series
FUNNy
James Pat ter so n
I Fu n ny In And Out of the Classroom
Stan d-Up Comedy Poster!
What if you had the opportunity, like Jamie, to try your hand as a stand-up comic?
Using the space below, create a poster to promote your one-person stand-up comedy act!
Activity Kit
I
A hilarious new tale from the author of the bestselling MIDDLE SCHOOL series
FUNNy
James Pat ter so n
I Fu n ny In And Out of the Classroom
Comedy Word Search!
All aspiring comics should learn the basics of stand-up comedy.
Start with these famous comedy figures below. Can you find them all in the word search below?
J Q F
F
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L
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G P B
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G R
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Words:
R T X
B A R M M H J A E O J B V
R W B
I
Billy Cry stal
R
K
F
R M B O A K B N B O I Q K
Y W Y
Y
Rosean n e Bar r
Y J
C
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R A E
C
I
S
H
Y
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J i m my Fallo n
X
B
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D
L M T F
F A N
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L J M U
Y
U
D
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L N V D
E W R
S T A N A S
N Y O R
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B
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C W G T F N
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V W I Q A L G K
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F
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S
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R J Y
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F
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H O R O C
V
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X
S
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C Q V T E
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S A Q A R T L
S
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F A M H
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L M B
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P D O E
H N N U A S
H
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P D G P
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R G T L J A T R
Y
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B
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P
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L J J V
F A X T C
H G A I
S
V B J H
F
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F
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G G O H
I W B
L
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F
P T X
F A B
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P N V
R J A
R O G V G J V
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V B
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P
C M
S Q S
Z
D Q
See the last page for solution.
Activity Kit
Ch r i s Rock
Dave Let ter man
Jay Le n o
W ill Fer r e ll
Ti na Fey
Amy Po e hler
Elle n D ege n er es
Bill Cosby
Ro bi n W illiams
J er ry Sei n fe ld
W ho o pi G o ldber g
I
A hilarious new tale from the author of the bestselling MIDDLE SCHOOL series
FUNNy
James Pat ter so n
About the Book
Jamie Grimm is 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. He practices the craft of stand-up
every day, and when he learns of 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? Will Jamie ever share the secret of his troubled past
I FUNNY
HC: 978-0-316-20693-8
$15.99 ($17.50 CAN)
instead of hiding behind his comedy act?
Mid dle School Series:
Comedy Word Search Answer:
J Q F
F G P B Z H R
E
E N D E G E N E
Middle School:
The Worst Years of My Life
Middle School:
Get Me Out of Here!
Middle School:
My Brother is a Big, Fat Liar
PB: 978-0-316-10169-1
$7.99 ($8.99 CAN)
PB: 978-0-316-10169-1
$7.99 ($8.99 CAN)
HC: 978-0-316-20754-6
$15.99 ($17.50 CAN)
I G R V E
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S e e m o re at J a m e s P a t t e r s o n K i d s B o o k s . c o m
Activity Kit
This kit was co-written by Susan Geyer.