I Totally Funniest: A Middle School Story

I Funny #3

by James Patterson, Chris Grabenstein

Jamie Grimm is back and better than ever in the third episode of James Patterson's bestselling I FUNNY series. Finding himself one step closer to his dream of being the best kid comic in the world, Jamie faces his biggest challenge yet. After scoring big on national TV in the semifinals contest, everyone back home is jumping on the Jamie Grimm bandwagon, and all the attention might be going to his head. Not only are his friendships starting to suffer, but the pressure of coming up with his best material ever for the ultimate standup act to snag the final win in Hollywood is pushing Jamie to the brink. Suddenly, life isn't looking very funny anymore. Can Jamie take the grand prize without pushing away his fans, friends and family?

Genres: Humor, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens, Young Adult, Comedy

Hardcover

First published January 15, 2015

About the author

Official US Site
Official UK Site
JIMMY Patterson Books
ReadKiddoRead

James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.

Reviews

[Katie Brown]

This book was very funny! Judging by the title you could probably imagine it would be. This book was about a boy ,named Jamie Grimm, who was saved in a fire. Here is the sad part. His family was not saved in time. His mom, his dad, and his sister all died. He only is paralyzed from the waist down.I asked myself through the novel, "Was he lucky? Or did he have bad luck?". This book has him being a very funny boy living in New Jersey. He comes into this stage were he is always sad. He finally starts something he loves to do! He tries out for the funniest kid in New Jersey and wins it! He gets placed in the funnest kid in the world contest. The weekend of the big contest a hurricane hits New Jersey and tares apart the city where he lives. He doesn't know how he will ever get through it and thinks that he should not enter in the contest. But then he is reminded that if you win you get 1,000,000 dollars! He could rebuild the city! He gives u the stage fright and the sickness of love struck from one of the competitors and Wins!!! I loved this book! Hope you can read it. Because you should!

[Myra Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75

[lil polix · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is SO NOSTALGIC. I still remember these days, when I used to binge read and love stuff like that, such as "House of Robots", by the same author. Yes, the book is simple, may be dumb sometimes, but it is also funny, nostalgic, and teaches you a lesson. I will read it even when I'm older.

Forever with whatever this genre is❤️

[Lindsey Gandhi · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son and I loved this book. The first in the series is still our favorite, but this one is super close. A great lesson that sometimes laughter is the best medicine!

[Rosália Ramos · Rating 4 out of 5]

A escrita? Como era de esperar é bastante simples e permite uma leitura bastante rápida e fluída, com muito humor à mistura.

O enredo? Este é já o terceiro e como não li os anteriores não consigo estabelecer comparações entre eles. Deste posso dizer que o tema é interessante e é abordado de uma maneira bastante leve e cómica. Um miúdo que anda de cadeira de rodas, sofre de bulling na escola por parte dos colegas e para ultrapassar esse constrangimento recorre ao lema “rir é o melhor remédio”. Este talento para rir e fazer rir acaba por o tornar famoso e agora tem de aprender a viver com mais estava nova condição. O uso de humor constante, com muitas piadas à mistura e banda desenhada incluída, torna este livro cativante para um leitor jovem. Para os leitores mais existe é um livro com pouco conteúdo, muito básico e parece apenas que se está a ler um resumo.

As personagens? Jamie é um rapaz encantador, que tem um talento fantástico e uma visão da sua condição física bastante perspicaz. Os seus verdadeiros amigos são mesmo seu amigos e estão sempre ao lado independentemente do ele faça. A interacção entre as diversas personagens é pouco significativa e interactiva.

A conclusão? Apesar de ter considerado a sua leitura muito superficial é um livro que recomendo para os leitoras mais jovens, uma vez que, é recheado de lições importantes e com ensinamentos de ouro. É decididamente um livro que gostava que a minha filha tivesse na estante.

[Annalise Bowman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Totally Funniest is about a handicapped by named Jamie. In the previous books Jamie was orphaned by a car accident killing his mom, dad, and his little sister Jenny. After that he moved in with his aunt and her family. His uncle also lived down the street. Uncle Frankie suggested that Jamie enter the “Planet's Funniest Kid Comic Contest” so he did. Then he won every qualifier leading up to the final. Now he is ready to leave for Hollywood, but the contest is postponed because Hurricane Sam blows through Jamie’s town. Will the contest be rescheduled? Or will Jamie go back to normal life sooner than he expected.

I didn’t like this book as much of the other ones in the series. This one was more of a recap to the other books. During the most exciting part they rushed through it as if they wanted to give an introduction for the next book.

[Nathan Usher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book and I would recommend it for kids who want something fun to read. I would recommend this book to kids who like realistic fiction. I like this book because it is fun to read and it is a little funny.

This book is about Jamie a standup comedian in a wheelchair. After scoring big on national TV in the semifinals contest, everyone back home is jumping on the Jamie Grimm bandwagon, and all the attention might be going to his head. Not only are his friendships starting to suffer, but the pressure of coming up with his best material ever for the ultimate standup act to snag the final win in Hollywood is pushing Jamie to the brink. Suddenly, life isn't looking very funny anymore.

[Edward Ledesma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book because I feel like the series is getting better because Jamie wins The Funniest Kid in the world award.I recommend this book to people have a funny bone in there body.I thought this book had a lot of detail about whats happening in the story.

[Mompop · Rating 3 out of 5]

A must have (trilogy) if you want to discover whether Jamie is the Funniest comic - but, doesn't the title give away the ending?

[Ben L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I totally funniest is the third and final book of this series. The recurring theme is that you can't let attention go to your head. One example of this is when the media starts to rush Jamie. While this does make Jamie higher than a kite, he can always count on Uncle Frankie To pull him down to earth so he can focus on winning the Planet's Funniest Kid Comic Contest. Can Jamie pull himself together to win the competition? Read I Totally Funniest to find out!

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Throughout the series, Jamie shows persistence, as for the past few years, he has lost his family and been confined to a wheelchair. Through all of this tragedy, he has made a name for himself by being a "sit-down" comedian. In the book, he has to push himself through the competitions, all the way to the coveted title of the funniest kid in the world.

[Clank533 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just awesome. Better than the last 2 I funny books. And the hurricane might have not been realistic because it did not kill 1 soul but it's still good🙂🙃I can’t wait to see the next 3 I funny books! (Bonus) I wish there were new books every second!

[Josiah Krooswyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book series for me on Goodreads by far thank you James Patterson for being the funniest #1 author 😂😃

[Grace Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a boy who enters a comedy contest

Jamie the main character shows bravery to get up in front of a bunch of people and preform and creativity because he comes up with jokes

[CATMAN · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book and I like how a character from another book that James Pattinson wrote was in the book

[Freddie Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

the book I finished reading is called I totally funniest by James Patterson.This book is about a kid named Jamie grim that suffered from a car accident that left him with his legs paralyzed.Jamies hobby turned into comedy.Him and his friends become less trustworthy or Jamies friends don't like Jamie later on because of his ego being inflated by the comedy contest.Later on in the book a hurricane hits Jamie and where he lives.I recommend this book to people who like to laugh or to people who like a good ending.

[Skyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

(I read it at home) I thought this book was really FUNNY! It was about this kid named Jamie Grimm, he was in a wheelchair because of a car wreck - killing his family, so he had to move with his aunt & uncle & their kids. Jamie was the funniest out of everyone in the whole world (according to the competition he signed up for). He beat everyone in the competition, he got a trophy and gave it to his doctor, the man who has been with him all his life during the accident. Jamie was really smart and funny. IT was a really good book! That is why I liked the book.

[Mason Flechsig · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jamie Grimm is a middle school kid 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 on friends, family, and the willing customers at his Uncle Frankie's diner. When 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?

[Maddy W.]

I think the theme of this book is never give up on your dreams.

[Ryan Sood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that this book was very good. It was about a kid in a wheel chair who is trying to be the worlds funniest kid. This is the third book in the series so yo should read the other ones first. I would recommend this book.

[𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I were to rate this book, I would give it a 3 out of 5.

This book, like the other ones before it, was disappointingly dull.
The tone of this book was quirky and childish.
Jamie wasn't hilarious, no matter how many times he won the contests.
The other kids' act summaries sounded ten times better than his entire act.

I also couldn't experience the "thrill" of the first or second contest results.
There was literally an hour left of the audiobook after the second contest, and the next book in the series is called I Funny TV.
You can probably see why I wasn't exactly biting my fingernails for the results.

There are some more things I don't like about this book, but I won't get into it.
I hope the next book (yes, I'm still going to read the next book) is better.

[Reading is my Escape · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Totally Funniest  
 
 

Everyone knows the kid is funny. He's proven he can be even funnier. But is Jamie Grimm really, totally the funniest kid in the world?
 
- From the back of the book

 
 
 
 
After the car accident that killed Jamie's parents and sister and left him in a wheelchair, Jamie spent time in a rehab center. The staff there encouraged him to read joke books and watch videos of comedians. They said laughter is the best medicine. Because of this, Jamie has become a comedian. He loves telling jokes. Despite the fairly grim past, this book is not sad. It is not about his parents being dead. It happened a while ago and Jamie is a strong kid. He thinks about his sister and parents but it is not the main focus of the story.  The trilogy is about Jamie in school and competing in various contests to try to prove he is the Planet's Funniest Kid Comic.
 
I read all three of these books with my son (I Funny, I Even Funnier and I Totally Funniest). They are quick reads with short chapters. The main character, Jamie is very funny and likable. He goes through various difficulties of being in middle school including being bullied, navigating friendships and liking girls. In this book he is faced with the extra pressure of being a finalist in the contest and trying to deal with the fame that comes with it. It's a lot of pressure for a middle school kid and he has difficulties. Jamie's journey and resilience are inspiring.
 
My son (11) and I  both really enjoyed all of the books and though the ending is predictable, the journey is still fun. I think Middle School kids will find this a fun, easy read. The entire series is a good choice to try for reluctant readers.
 
Recommended to:
Grades 4 through 8. Anyone who likes funny stories or stories about middle school. Reluctant readers.

[Bethanie.M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about a guy named Jamie Grimm ,and he lives in Hollywood.So the characters are Jamie Grimm and the Smiley family.And the problem in the story is that he is really nervous on weather if he will go to the finals or just go home.Well the problem develops because of when they are all the finals ,and he was one of the last ones to be called out.Then when they were calling out people he got super nervous, because he thought he was going to be going home .Something in the story that bothered me was that when he was done preforming all of his so called friends made fun of him .Because of how he wasnt good at it .But in reality he was actually he was really good at it .Ireally liked how that the author wrote the book in small chapters.People that i would recommed this book to are people who like funny things ,and people who like comedy.

[Daryll Corpuz · Rating 3 out of 5]

James Patterson executed this series to great remarks. I had a blast reading the three books offered by James bringing a smile every reading session, this book concludes the series (I think) and it doesn't disappoint. This book is better than the second but not the first, but that is my opinion. The first book was a hit and it followed up fairly good, but not great. This book, like the others, follow Jamie Grimm and his chance to stand... err Roll up to the top child comedians. This is challenged with nature, enemies, and most importantly his disability. Not as much as the limitations of a wheelchair but the rumors of pity votes and biased judges. The beginning started slow (giving the oddly low rating) but picked up near the middle and end. But the more in the book it became surprisingly dark giving a different feel than the comedy oriented series the other two books gave. Sure that book had its dark moments but not like this. Overall this book couldn't take the series back on its feet after the second but doesn't stay on the ground. This book is good read if you read the series and to be honest you couldn't live without seeing this book if you read the other two.

[Maci · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Totally Funniest: A Middle School Story by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein is the last book in the I funny series. Jamie Grimm once again is in the spotlight. He is on his way to the finals to compete to be the Planets Funniest kid Comic. But he is up against some mean competion. Jamie has to deal with more adversity then a normal middle schooler because he gets around in a different way then them. Jamie uses a wheelchair as a result of the accident that killed his parents and younger sister. But Jamie isn't alone, he has got Uncle Frankie, the Smilies, and his friends: Gaynor, Pierce, and Gilda. But Jamie just has to make sure not to forget that he isn't alone on his way to the Finals. I would recommend this book to anyone who liked Dairy of a Wimpy kid, this is a more mature version of those. I would also recommend this book to anyone who wants a heartwarming story, it is a little young but that doesn't stop it from being good.

[Brendan Corpuz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I Totally Funniest by James Paterson is a nice book. It's the conclusion of the I funny series. It follows Jamie Grimm again, through his hard journey to be the funniest kid on the planet, while dealing with his disability. I thought this was an okay story, better than the second, but not as good as the first. Filled with references of comedians today, like Jimmy Fallon and Tina Fey. It has its nice and clever jokes that its know with and also still deals with the hard topics, like getting made fun of because of disabilities. It goes with the typical, "ups and downs" story, with how they will have good moments and bad moments. Although I do like the characters, I fell like some characters weren't used as much as they should have, Like Jamie's best friends. Overall, I think this was an okay book. 6.5/10

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jamie Grimm is on his way to the finals of the Planet’s Funniest Kid. But when the contest postpones and a big TV network takes over, the stakes get higher. Now the winner could win 1 million dollars and their own sitcom. Is Jamie really the funniest kid on the planet? Only if he can not choke onstage, keep from offending his friends with his big head, and recover from the disaster that hit Long Beach.

Full of one liners and great clean jokes, this third installment is timely, hilarious and will be enjoyed by boys as well as girls. But get this series now, because the celebrities, television shows and culture references may get dated fast.

Cross-posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!

[Zachery Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in James Patterson's middle school series where he writes book related to the life of middle school students. I liked this book because it was funny and it ended the series very well. The book is about Jamie Grimm, an orphaned middle school student who lives with his relatives after his family died in a car crash, finishing up the Planets Funniest Kids contest. He has to journey to Hollywood where he is determined to win the contest. I would recommend this book series because it gives you a feel for the struggles in the life of a middle school student. Another reason I love this book so much is because it is a quick read, but still enjoyable. Overall, this was a great book and I would highly recommend this book series to anyone.

[Grandma's Boy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the third book in the I Funny series. These books are about this kid named Jamie and his start up to fame as the planets funniest kid comic. In this book he is one of the Elite Eight in the contest. They were originally going to show on a regular channel YUX and winner would earn 100,000 dollars as a prize but then they cancelled it on YUX and they put on a major television network BNC and they changed the prize to 1,000,000 dollars and their own tv show. Along the way Jamie suffers from being a cool kid and a jerk, having hatred in the contest, and the stress of trying to win it all. Overall it is a great book and it is worth a read because Jamie Totally Funniest.

[Jack D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Totally Funniest is the third book of the I funny series. In this book Jamie Grimm countinues to try to be the most funniest kids comic. Jamie wants to be a stand up comedian, but most of the time he's sitting down, because he was paralized from the waste down from a car accident. While he's trying to come up with new material for the up coming contest, he has to deal with school and friends. When Jamie finds out who he is up against in the competition he gets scared and choked up. I Totally Funniest was my favorite book out of all the books in the world. i would DEFINITELY reccommened this to my friends.