Books About Pranks · 83 titles considered

The Best Pranks Books for Kids

Looking for our other guide?

Explore our editor-reviewed guide to Mischief, featuring 12 favorites and recommendations by age.

Looking for excellent children's books about pranks? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Pranks

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2018

The Story Collector

By Kristin O'Donnell Tubb, Iacopo Bruno (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the The Story Collector series

A library prank spirals into a quest to uncover a ghost and a missing stamp collection.

272 pages· 39,626 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

5.8/7 Bookroo·3.8/5 Goodreads · 1,143 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Viviani Fedeler, raised in the New York Public Library, suspects it's haunted. A prank to spook new girl Merit Mubarak goes awry, leading Viviani and her friends on a thrilling quest. They must unravel the mystery of a possible ghost and a vanished stamp collection. Can they uncover the truth hidden within the library's walls?

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2015

The Terrible Two

By Mac Barnett, Jory John, Kevin Cornell (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the The Terrible Two series

Two pranksters clash in a sleepy town, igniting a hilarious prank war. Who will outwit whom?

The E.B. White Read Aloud Honor (2015)

240 pages· 28,544 words· Est. 4 hour read

5.5/7 Bookroo·4.1/5 Goodreads · 12,593 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Miles Murphy, the ultimate prankster, moves to cow-filled Yawnee Valley, only to find a rival prankster, Niles. As they engage in a hilarious prank war, will they become friends or foes? Together, can they pull off the biggest prank ever? Dive into a world of mischief and laughter in this epic tale of trickery and unexpected alliances.

Sale price

$999

Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 1997

The Adventures of Captain Underpants

By Dav Pilkey · Book #1 in the Captain Underpants series

Two fourth-grade pranksters hypnotize their principal and accidentally turn him into a superhero.

144 pages· 6,198 words· Est. 52 min read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 60,648 ratings

Hardcover

Summary: George and Harold, mischievous fourth graders, accidentally turn their principal into Captain Underpants, a superhero from their comics. Chaos ensues as they confront the villainous Dr. Diaper and his robot minions. Can they save the day and restore normalcy before it's too late?

Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2006

Ghosts Do Splash in Puddles

By Marcia Thornton Jones, Debbie Dadey, Joelle Dreidemy (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the The Bailey School Kids Jr. Chapter series

Is the school bathroom haunted by a puddle ghost?

64 pages· 2,029 words· Est. 17 min read

3.8/5 Goodreads · 124 ratings

Paperback

Summary: Liza, Howie, Eddie, and Melody face a new mystery: strange noises echo from the school bathroom. Is it faulty plumbing, or is a ghost lurking in the puddles? Can they uncover the truth before chaos ensues?

Sale price

$3297

Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 1968

The Pigman

By Paul Zindel · Book #1 in the The Pigman series

A prank call leads to an unexpected friendship and a tragic end.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (1969)

166 pages

3.6/5 Goodreads · 28,926 ratings

$34.71Save 5%

Prebound-Glued

Summary: High school sophomores John and Lorraine never expected their prank call to Angelo Pignati to spark a deep friendship. As they grow closer to the lonely old man, they find solace in his home, a refuge from their own troubled lives. But when tragedy strikes, John and Lorraine must confront the impact of their actions. Can they find peace by sharing the true story of the Pigman, or will the weight of their loss haunt them forever? Discover the poignant tale of an unusual bond that transcends generations and changes lives.

Sale price

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2017

Vanished!

By James Ponti · Framed! series

A young detective must solve school pranks linked to the President's daughter.

384 pages· 70,917 words· Est. 10 hour read

7.0/7 Bookroo·4.5/5 Goodreads · 4,725 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Florian Bates, a 12-year-old FBI consultant, faces his toughest challenge yet: uncovering the truth behind mysterious pranks at a private school attended by the President's daughter. With his friend Margaret, Florian dives into a world of secrets and conspiracies. As they go undercover, a student's disappearance at the Kennedy Center raises the stakes. Can they unravel the mystery before it's too late, or will they become the next targets? Dive into a thrilling adventure where middle school meets high-stakes intrigue.

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2016

The Terrible Two Get Worse

By Mac Barnett, Jory John, Kevin Cornell (Illustrator) · Book #2 in the The Terrible Two series

Pranksters face a new, stricter principal threatening their fun-filled antics.

240 pages· 27,728 words· Est. 4 hour read

7.0/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 3,734 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Paperback

Summary: Miles and Niles, the ultimate prankster duo, face their toughest challenge yet when their nemesis, Principal Barkin, is replaced by his no-nonsense father. With fun banned and pranks outlawed, the boys must team up with their old rival to restore chaos and laughter to Yawnee Valley Science and Letters Academy. Can they outwit the iron-fisted new principal and bring back the joy of mischief? Dive into a world where friendship and creativity collide in a battle against order and boredom. Will the Terrible Two's legendary pranking skills be enough to save the day?

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2015

The Zombie Chasers

By John Kloepfer, David DeGrand (Illustrator) · Book #7 in the Zombie Chasers series

Can kids stop the zombie apocalypse with an antidote before it's too late?

256 pages· 27,137 words· Est. 4 hour read

4.6/5 Goodreads · 133 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: In their slimiest adventure yet, the Zombie Chasers face a global undead threat. From Madagascar's zombie animals to Egypt's 'zummies' and China's super zombies, they must find the antidote to save the world. Can they unzombify the masses, or will the planet succumb to chaos? Join the thrilling race against time and discover if the kids can outsmart the zombie scourge.

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 6–10 · 2010

Mrs. Lizzy Is Dizzy!

By Dan Gutman, Jim Paillot (Illustrator) · Book #9 in the My Weird School Daze series

A school's Recess Enrichment Program is hijacked by an imposter teacher.

112 pages· 7,194 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 943 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: A.J. and his friends face a new challenge: the Recess Enrichment Program. Instead of playing, they're stuck learning odd skills like balloon animal making and worm composting from the eccentric Mrs. Lizzy. As recess becomes a series of strange classes, A.J. must navigate this bizarre world. Will they find a way to bring back their beloved playtime, or are they doomed to a recess of weirdness forever? Dive into the hilarity and chaos of My Weird School Daze's latest adventure.

Sale price

$574

Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 2012

The All-Star Joker

By David A. Kelly, Mark Meyers (Illustrator) · Book #5 in the Ballpark Mysteries series

A catcher is framed for pranks at the All-Star game. Can the truth be uncovered?

112 pages· 10,177 words· Est. 2 hour read

4.3/5 Goodreads · 326 ratings

$5.99Save 4%

Paperback

Summary: At the Kansas City All-Star game, young sleuths Mike and Kate meet Andy, whose father, Josh, is an All-Star catcher. When pranks disrupt the event, Josh is blamed, but Andy insists on his innocence. As the mystery deepens, the kids must uncover who is framing Josh and why. With the stakes high and reputations on the line, can they solve the puzzle before the final inning? Dive into this thrilling ballpark mystery where every clue counts and nothing is as it seems.

The Bookroo Book Club