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I Funny Series Reading Order.

Expert Guideby James Patterson
4 Entries
Ongoing
Quick Answer

Start I Funny Series by James Patterson with "I Funny", then follow the publication sequence. This order preserves the intended narrative twists and world-building progression.

Jamie Grimm, a middle school student in a wheelchair, dreams of becoming the world's greatest stand-up comedian.

Reader's Guide

This series spans 4 main titles released between 2012 and 2018. For the best experience, we recommend following the Publication Order below to preserve key plot reveals.

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Official Verdict

Short Answer:
Start with "I Funny"

To experience the narrative as intended, read the main sequence in Publication Order.Ignore novellas and side stories until you finish the first 3 core novels. This resolves all timeline confusion and preserves every major twist.

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Community Consensus

Medium Debate

"The highly recommended reading order is internal chronological order, overriding traditional publication order. The main consensus is to begin with the books focusing on Cordelia, as they establish the necessary historical context for her son, Miles Vorkosigan, who becomes the main protagonist. The chronologically earliest book, *Falling Free*, should be skipped or delayed until later in the series (often recommended before *Diplomatic Immunity*)."

Key Reddit Advice

Start with *Shards of Honor*, followed by *Barrayar*. These two are often collected in the omnibus *Cordelia's Honour*. After those, proceed to *The Warrior's Apprentice* (the start of Miles's story).

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for I Funny Series conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Can I skip the short stories?

Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it for I Funny Series. The shorter volumes often establish the core character motivations and world-building that the main saga assumes you already know.

I watched the show/movie first — where should I start?

Ignore the screen adaptations' timeline. Start with "I Funny" to see the original depth of the world. The books offer a significantly different (and usually more complete) experience than the on-screen versions.

Why do people disagree on the order?

Disagreement usually stems from the conflict between purely chronological order and publication order. Most long-term fans recommend publication order to preserve the emotional arc and mystery reveals.

Curator's Strategy

Recommended Reading Order Strategy

The authoritative way to read the "I Funny Series" series is in Publication Order. Start with the first published book. It's the way the author intended the world to be revealed.This ensures you experience character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Start with "I Funny"Explore all by James Patterson

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended. Compare →

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for fans. Compare →

Publication Reading Order4 Titles

Why Publication Order?We recommend reading in Publication Order (default). This follows the author's release schedule, ensuring you experience plot twists, character growth, and world-building exactly as intended without spoilers.
Best Start Here
1

I Funny

Pub: 2012

Middle schooler Jamie Grimm discovers his talent for stand‑up comedy while coping with the loss of his mother. Determined to win the national comedy competition, he navigates school life, bullies, and his own insecurities, using humor as his greatest weapon.

2

I Even Funnier

Pub: 2013★ 4

Plot details hidden until you finish "I Funny".

In James Patterson's follow-up to I Funny, middle schooler Jamie Grimm is ready for the national comedy semi-finals. . . but when his family and friends need his help, will he have to put his dreams on hold? In this follow up to the #1 New York Times bestseller I Funny, middle schooler Jamie Grimm has big dreams of being the best stand-up comic in the world-and he won't let the fact that he's wheelchair-bound stand in his way. After winning the New York state finals in the Planet's Funniest Kid Comic Contest, Jamie's off to Boston to compete in the national semi-finals. But when one of his best buddies runs into trouble at school and a sudden family health scare rears its head, Jamie has to put his comedic ambitions on hold and stand by the people he cares about. Can Jamie pass up the big competition for the sake of his friends and family?

3

I Totally Funniest

Pub: 2015★ 5

Plot details hidden until you finish "I Even Funnier".

In the third episode of James Patterson's bestselling series, Jamie Grimm is one step closer to becoming the best kid comic in the world, but now he's facing his biggest challenge yet.   Jamie Grimm is back and better than ever. 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?

4

The Nerdiest, Wimpiest, Dorkiest I Funny Ever

Pub: 2018

Plot details hidden until you finish "I Totally Funniest".

Comedian Jamie Grimm can't help feeling like he's reached the top, he has his own smash hit television show and he's won a national funny kid competition. Now he's taking his fame and fortune to international levels by competing in the upcoming world kid comic contest! Will Jamie prove that he's the funniest kid on Earth, or does he stand to lose his crown?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it okay to skip books in the I Funny Series series?

We recommend ignoring novellas and short stories until you finish the core sequence. However, main sequence novels should never be skipped as they contain critical character development and plot progression.

What is the best order to read I Funny Series?

The final answer for the best experience is to start with "I Funny" and proceed in publication order. This sequence preserves character developments and plot reveals exactly as James Patterson intended.

Can I read I Funny Series books in any order?

No. The main narrative is strictly sequential. Skipping volumes or reading out of order will lead to significant plot spoilers and confusion regarding character arcs.

Are there spin-offs or companion books?

Yes, the I Funny Series universe includes several companion works. These are marked as 'Optional' in our guide and can be read at any time without disrupting the main storyline.