I funny by James Patterson

Young Arrow, 2012. ISBN 978 009956742
This book is about Jamie Grimm, a boy who has an ambition to win the Planet's Funniest Kid Comic Contest. Basically this is an award for a stand-up comic which presents an obstacle for Jamie as he is in a wheel chair. As Jamie pursues his dream the reader learns more about him and his background; his parents are dead as the result of a car crash and he lives with his Aunt and her family. He also has problems with the school bully who is his cousin Steve. Despite all of this Jamie is determined to win the contest for the funniest kid. The chapters are short and punctuated with cartoon-like pictures so it provides an easy read and there are lots of jokes along the way.
I found the humour to be very American and wonder if many of its intended audience would get the many references to American comedians. However it does show how Jamie perseveres and achieves his dream. I don't think it would have mass appeal but the cover and cartoony images inside may just inspire some middle/upper primary readers.
David Rayner