Tom Angleberger has a rare talent for making kids laugh while drawing them into inventive, heartfelt stories. Best known for the wildly popular Origami Yoda series, he blends offbeat humor, school-day chaos, and genuine emotional insight in a way that feels fresh and instantly recognizable. The Strange Case of Origami Yoda is a perfect example of what he does so well: turning everyday middle-grade life into something wonderfully strange, funny, and full of imagination.
If you enjoy reading books by Tom Angleberger then you might also like the following authors:
Dav Pilkey is a natural pick for readers who love humor that is energetic, silly, and impossible to take too seriously. His books combine comic-style visuals, outrageous scenarios, and a strong sense of fun, while still leaving room for themes like friendship, creativity, and teamwork.
If you like Tom Angleberger's funny style, try Pilkey's Captain Underpants, a story about two mischievous kids who accidentally bring their comic book superhero creation to life.
Lincoln Peirce writes sharp, relatable stories about school, family, and the daily disasters of growing up. His work has the same kind of grounded humor that makes Angleberger so appealing, with characters who feel exaggerated enough to be funny but real enough to be familiar.
Readers who enjoy Angleberger's blend of quirky characters and everyday humor might also appreciate Peirce’s Big Nate: In a Class by Himself, where Nate’s big dreams—and bigger antics—always create funny situations.
Jeff Kinney captures middle-school awkwardness with wit, honesty, and plenty of illustrations. His diary-style storytelling makes even small social embarrassments feel memorable, and his books share Angleberger’s knack for turning ordinary school life into comedy.
If you like Angleberger’s mix of humor and relatable situations, you might enjoy Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid, following Greg Heffley as he navigates the tricky social landscape of school.
Jarrett J. Krosoczka brings high energy to everything he writes. His stories are fast, visual, and packed with eccentric characters, making them a strong match for readers who enjoy Angleberger’s playful imagination and lively pacing.
If you're drawn to Angleberger's energetic storytelling and inventive humor, check out Krosoczka’s Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute, featuring an undercover cafeteria worker turned superhero.
Dan Gutman specializes in funny, accessible books that keep pages turning. His stories often lean into absurdity, especially in school settings, and he has a gift for creating chaotic situations that younger readers can jump right into.
Fans of Angleberger's playful storytelling and friendship themes would probably enjoy Gutman’s My Weird School: Miss Daisy Is Crazy!, a book loaded with funny misunderstandings and silly school adventures.
Andy Griffiths writes books that feel delightfully unrestrained. His humor is big, ridiculous, and wonderfully imaginative, making him an easy recommendation for kids who enjoy stories that keep surprising them.
In his book The 13-Story Treehouse, Griffiths invites readers into an absurd, hilarious world where anything can happen, like catapults, shark tanks, and marshmallow machines. It's great for fans of Tom Angleberger's humorous and playful style.
Cece Bell pairs humor with warmth in a way that feels effortless. Her writing and illustrations are approachable, expressive, and emotionally sincere, which makes her work especially rewarding for readers who like Angleberger’s balance of comedy and heart.
Her graphic novel El Deafo sensitively portrays her own childhood experience growing up deaf, using a kind and clever approach that's easy to connect with.
Gordon Korman is excellent at writing ensemble stories filled with strong personalities, misunderstandings, and laugh-out-loud moments. Like Angleberger, he knows how to mix comedy with real emotional stakes, so the stories stay fun without feeling lightweight.
His book Ungifted is a laugh-out-loud story about a troublemaker who unexpectedly joins a gifted school's robotics team, leading to hilarious moments and sincere friendships.
Andrew Clements writes thoughtful school stories built around clever ideas and everyday challenges. His books are a good fit for readers who appreciate Angleberger’s focus on kids’ perspectives, especially when ordinary classroom life turns unexpectedly interesting.
His novel Frindle is a favorite, telling the story of a creative boy who invents a new word, sparking humor, debates, and a big impact on the school community.
Stephan Pastis brings a wonderfully offbeat sensibility to middle-grade fiction. His stories are loaded with deadpan humor, cartoons, and characters who are far more confident than they should be, which gives his books a comic tone that Angleberger fans often enjoy.
His Timmy Failure series, beginning with Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made, stars an overly confident and humorous kid detective who is somehow clueless and clever at the same time.
Fans of Tom Angleberger's amusing illustrations and offbeat characters will be sure to enjoy Pastis's playful and enjoyable style.
Max Brallier leans more toward action, but he keeps the tone funny and accessible. His books deliver quick pacing, cartoonish danger, and a sense of adventure that makes them especially appealing to readers who like Angleberger’s humor but want a little more mayhem.
In The Last Kids on Earth, Brallier tells the story of Jack Sullivan and his friends, who band together to fight monsters and zombies after an apocalypse. It's funny and exciting, with lots of illustrations to bring the action to life.
Mac Barnett has a gift for clever, polished humor. His books often take simple premises and push them into delightfully exaggerated territory, making him a strong choice for readers who enjoy Angleberger’s quirky sensibility and comic timing.
Readers who enjoy Angleberger's playful tone and quirky characters should try Barnett's books, like The Terrible Two, co-written with Jory John.
In this book, two pranksters compete and collaborate in hilarious, elaborate pranks at their school. Barnett's style features sharp wit and plenty of hilarious moments.
Amy Ignatow writes with an easy, conversational charm that makes friendships and school struggles feel immediate and funny. Her blend of text and illustrations will appeal to readers who enjoy the visual playfulness and middle-school perspective found in Angleberger’s work.
Her book The Popularity Papers is written as a scrapbook made by two best friends, Lydia and Julie, trying to figure out how popularity works.
Ignatow uses clever illustrations, journal entries, and plenty of humor to show the ups and downs of friendship and growing up.
Chris Grabenstein mixes comedy with puzzle-solving and adventure, creating books that feel both playful and suspenseful. If you like the inventive side of Angleberger’s storytelling, Grabenstein offers a similarly fun sense of possibility.
Fans of Angleberger's fun and creative worlds might like Grabenstein's Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library.
The story is about a group of kids locked overnight in a magical library filled with secret puzzles and challenges. Grabenstein delivers fun puzzles and mysteries with a playful sense of humor.
Terri Libenson writes with humor, empathy, and a strong feel for middle-school emotions. Her stories focus on friendships, insecurities, and the small moments that can feel huge when you're young, which makes her a natural recommendation for Angleberger fans.
Her graphic novel Invisible Emmie follows two different girls—shy Emmie and outgoing Katie—and shows how their lives overlap in surprising ways.
Readers who appreciate Angleberger's relatable and humorous view of growing up will probably connect with Libenson's characters and storytelling style.
