Chris Tebbetts

Chris Tebbetts is an American author who became one of James Patterson's regular collaborators on his middle-grade fiction lines, most notably co-writing entries in the I Funny series, following a boy who dreams of becoming a stand-up comedian despite being confined to a wheelchair, part of Patterson's extensive catalog of humor-driven books for young readers. Before his partnership with Patterson, Tebbetts had already established an independent career writing fiction for children and teens. His work with Patterson on I Funny and related series required blending comedic voice with the accessible, high-energy pacing that characterizes Patterson's younger-reader imprints, a tone distinct from the adult thrillers most associated with the Patterson name. Tebbetts has continued to write across Patterson's middle-grade catalog and other projects, contributing to the broader effort to engage reluctant young readers through fast-paced, illustrated, humor-forward storytelling. He remains one of the more prolific contributors to Patterson's younger-reader fiction lines, helping sustain a segment of Patterson's output aimed specifically at building enthusiasm for reading among middle-school-aged children.