Have you ever walked into the library and noticed
that it is divided into sections? Why do you think
the librarian does that?
Books can be divided up even further,
and it will help you decide which book
to read if you understand what kinds
of books are available!
Genre is a French word, meaning “kind.”
(Click on the speaker to hear “genre” pronounced!)
Books are classified into different genres, based on
their characteristics.
Historical Fiction
An example:
Novels in this genre are set in an historical period.
The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg
by Rodman Philbrick
This novel is set in the Civil War. When Homer’s uncle sells
Homer’s older brother to serve in his place in the Civil War,
Homer sets off to alert the authorities that his brother is too
young to be a soldier. Homer likes to exaggerate, making his
stories along the way very entertaining, but the book also
deals with the evils of slavery and the horror of war through
the description of the Battle of Gettysburg.
•Hey! Did you notice that Homer likes to exaggerate, and also
goes on an adventure to find his brother? We could classify
this book into “Tall tales” AND another genre! See if you can
figure out which one!
Mystery
A mystery involves the reader in solving a puzzle or a crime. The
main character may be a detective, or even a curious kid!
These books are usually suspenseful, which means the author
leaves you with questions about what’s really going on– which
makes you read more!
London Eye Mystery
by Siobhan Dowd
When Salim visits his cousins Ted and Kat, they
take him to see the London Eye, a very large
Ferris wheel from which riders can see 25 miles
in every direction. When a stranger offers one
free ticket, Salim, as the guest, gets to ride– but
then he doesn’t exit. Ted, whose brain is
“wired differently,” and Kat must put together
the clues to figure out what happened to Salim.
Science fiction
Science fiction is based on the impact of actual, imagined,
or potential science. It is usually set in the future or on
other planets.
The City of Ember
By Jeanne DePrau
It is the year 241, and the City of Ember is in trouble.
The city is decaying: supplies are dwindling, and
everything is in need of repair, including the power
lines that supply the only light the city has. Twelve
year old Lina and her classmate Doon receive their
jobs, and both begin to learn new information and
uncover mysterious circumstances. When Lina finds a
fragmented piece of paper in her grandmother’s old
box, they think they may have found a way out– but
they don’t know what they will find when they reach
the post-apocalyptic Earth, even if they do make it.
Realistic Fiction
Do you like stories about people you might meet, overcoming
problems they might really face? Realistic fiction is what
you’re looking for. These stories take place in modern times,
and the characters are involved in events that really could
happen.
The Truth about My Bat Mitzvah
by Nora Raleigh Baskin
When Caroline’s maternal grandmother dies
and leaves her a Star of David necklace,
Caroline begins to wonder about her religious
identity. And, if she chooses to become more
religious, what will her mother, a non-religious,
science-loving doctor, think?
Fantasy
A work of fantasy includes highly imaginative elements. Fantasies may
include talking animals, magical powers, mythical creatures, and the setting
may or may not be in the “real” world.
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
by Kate DiCamillo and Bagram Ibatoulline
Edward Tulane, a cold-hearted and proud china rabbit,
loves only himself until he is separated from the little
girl who adores him and travels across the country.
Action/Adventure
Does the main character scale large mountains, go on amazing
adventures on land or at sea, overcome amazing obstacles,
travel to never-before-seen places? If so, you’ve found an
action/adventure novel!
PEAK
By Roland Smith
After Peak Marcello is arrested for scaling Manhattan’s
Woolworth building, his estranged father arrives to rescue
him from a stint in juvie. Peak’s father runs a commercial
guide business on the Tibetan side of Mount Everest and
wants Peak, at 14, to be the youngest person ever to make
it to the top of Mount Everest. Along the way, Peak
encounters hostile Chinese authorities, avalanches,
howling winds, and frozen corpses– and another teen who
has the same goal.
The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg,
historical fiction, also contains elements of adventure!
Non-Fiction
NON FICTION is a very broad genre, just like
“Fiction” is very broad. Non fiction can also
be broken into sub-genre categories.
Let’s look at a few!
Informational
An informational book tells factual information about people,
events, or places.
All About Sleep from A to Zzzz
by Elaine Scott
In this book, you will learn all about sleep, including
circadian rhythms, dreams, and the functions and
stages of sleep.
Reference
Reference books are, of course, non fiction. You go to them
when you want to know facts, but don’t want to do a whole
lot of reading.
Biographies
A biography is a true story about a person’s life (the prefix “bio”
means “life”– biology is the study of life. You get it. . . ) An
autobiography (“auto” means “self”) is a book written by
someone about him/herself.
Knucklehead: Tall Tales and
Almost True Stories of
Growing Up Sciezka
by Jon Scieszka
Even though Mr. Sciezka tends to stretch the truth at
times, this funny book tells about his adventures
growing up in Flint, Michigan with his five brothers.
(Technically, since Mr. Sciezka wrote it, this is an
AUTObiography!)
Graphic Novels
(Weird, huh?! Why would I put graphic novels in “NON FICTION?”
Aren’t these FICTION?!
Because these books contain ART, they are usually shelved in
nonfiction, in 741.5– even though the story is usually
fictional. This can get confusing, though. The public library
puts the FICTION graphic novels in a section all by
themselves, near the fiction. The NON-FICTION graphic
novels are shelved with the subject they cover. If you’re
having trouble finding these books, just ask the librarian!
Graphic Novels,
continued…
Examples:
To learn more about
Amulet from the
author, Kazu Kibuishi,
click on the cover!
The sequel will be
released in
September 2009!
O.K., you’ve read about several different
genres; let’s see how much you’ve
learned!
Read each book summary
carefully. Click on the genre to
which you think each book
belongs. Use the arrow buttons to
navigate to the next page.
If you have some trouble, that’s
o.k.; sometimes books can belong
to more than one category!
1
When an earthquake hits the isolated
island in northern California where his
family had been camping, twelve-year-old
Jonathan Palmer must find a way to keep
himself, his partially paralyzed younger
sister, and their dog alive until help arrives.
To which genre does Earthquake Terror belong?
A.Science fiction
B.Action/Adventure
C.Mystery
Yes! Good job!
Earthquake Terror involves extreme
circumstances and the courage of the characters
to overcome, making it an ACTION/ADVENTURE
novel.
Oops! Try again!
2
Gregor is a young man who discovers an entire
culture living beneath the city of New York. The
Underlanders have a prophecy in which Gregor is
a warrior who is supposed to save their world by
going on a quest. The Underlanders’ world
includes huge mice, spiders, bats, lizards, and
cockroaches (who are indeed even larger than
we see here in Texas!).
To which genre does this book belong?
A. Fantasy
B. Graphic novel
C. Historical Fiction
Great job!
This book contains all the elements of FANTASY: talking
animals, imaginary places, and impossible events.
It’s a fast-paced, interesting story (you may actually learn
to like the cockroaches!)– and it’s a series, so there’s lots
of potential reading!
Oops! Try again!
3
In The Homework Machine, computer genius
and class nerd Brenton builds a machine that
can actually do your homework for you! The
three other kids in his work group beg him to
let them use it, and the four become good
friends as they enjoy more free time and
better grades! However, they soon find
themselves in serious trouble. . . .
Which genre best fits this novel?
A. Fantasy
B. Science fiction
C. Historical fiction
Oops! Try again!
Way to go!
This book is based on the “science” of being able
to create a machine that can do your homework
for you. Without that bit of science fiction, the
story wouldn’t be able to take place.
4
While searching the attic for hidden birthday presents,
Sam makes a startling discovery. He finds a
newspaper clipping that states he went missing at the
age of three. Sam isn’t able to read the entire article
because of a learning disability, so he enlists the help
of fellow classmate, Caroline. Caroline and Sam work
together to solve the mystery of the newspaper
clipping and unravel the secrets of Sam’s past.
Which genre do you think this is?
A. Realistic fiction
B. Science fiction
C. Mystery
Absolutely!
Eleven is a mystery: Sam and his friend Caroline
are faced with a puzzle, which they work together
to solve. The book is very suspenseful– Ms. Giff
leaves you with unanswered questions, which
make the book hard to put down!
Oops! Try again!
5
In this colorful adaptation of the movie, Chihiro is
traveling with her parents to their new home. They
take a wrong turn off the highway and stop at an
abandoned theme park. Her parents smell food
cooking, and hurry ahead to find the source. When
Chihiro catches up to them, they have turned into
pigs. She realizes that they are trapped in a magical
place full of ghosts and spirits. Haku, a boy, finds her
and takes her to the magical bathhouse where she
begins her quest to free her parents.
Is this book an example of:
A. Graphic novel
B. Science fiction
C. Action/Adventure
?
Great job!
Miyazaki’s book is a graphic novel, the story
told through a series of detailed pictures, like
a comic book but with a bit more
complicated plot
This book is also a really interesting movie.
It’s VERY different from what American
audiences usually see!
Oops! Try again!
6
Artemis Fowl is not just a millionaire AND a genius– he’s
also a criminal mastermind! Determined to restore his
family’s name to its former glory, he sets off with his
bodyguard Butler to capture a fairy and ransom her for
the legendary fairy gold. Unfortunately for him, Holly
turns out to be a member of the “LEPredcon,” an elite
member of the magical police, so a team of dangerous
fairies, satyrs, trolls and elves fight back with all kinds of
magic and clever gadgets to rescue her!
Do you think this book is:
A. Fantasy
B. Science fiction
C. Action/Adventure
Yes!
(This was a “trick” question– no matter which one
you choose, you end up here– because any of the
three is fairly “right!”)
If you chose “fantasy” you were right! Fairies, elves, and
trolls probably don’t exist (at least, most of us have
never seen one. . . ), so these imaginary creatures in an
alternate world would certainly classify this as fantasy.
HOWEVER. . . . . . .
Yes!
If you chose science fiction, were also right!
The gadgets used to try to rescue Holly also
land this action-packed story in the category
of Science Fiction!
But WAIT!
Yes!
If you chose Action/Adventure, you were ALSO right!
The book is filled with action and adventure as Artemis
and the fairies struggle.
Yes, technically this book is MOSTLY a fantasy– but you
see how it can be really difficult to classify a book into
just ONE genre!
7
When Nick’s biology teacher mysteriously vanishes
during a field trip to the Florida Everglades, Nick
suspects that something sinister is going on especially
since some adults want to hush it up. Local
businessmen may be involved in both the
disappearance and in some activities that are harming
the ecology of the Everglades.
This book is probably a
A. Science fiction story
B. Realistic story
C. Mystery
Very good!
Although Scat contains events that could
happen, the story centers around the mystery
of the missing biology teacher.
Oops! Try again!
If you chose “realistic,” you’re partially right; however,
there’s a better answer. . . . . .see if you can get it this time!
Oops! Try again!
8
Twelve-year-old Mitch spends the summer at his
grandparents’ house. While dealing with his
parents’ impending divorce, he meets Spencer,
whose family is dealing with the loss of their oldest
son. The two boys become friends and find they
have much in common.
This book is mostly like an example of:
A. Science fiction
B. Informational non-fiction
C. Realistic fiction
Good for you!
This book is about friendships, and keeping
secrets, and learning to be courageous in the
face of loss. Truly about things that are real.
Oops! Try again!
9
For thousands of years, different cultures from
around the world have been mummifying bodies.
Some of these bodies have been those of children
carefully preserved by their loved ones. The
author presents some of the important finds made
by investigators and looks at the cultural
connections and scientific facts surrounding
mummies.
I would stack this book with the:
A. Informational non-fiction
B. Science fiction
C. Reference books
Excellent!
This book also contains colorful
photographs and illustrations, in
addition to readable text.
Oops! Try again!
10
.
Marooned on a South Pacific island, Alexander Selkirk
survived in complete solitude for more than four
years. After his rescue in 1709 he became the real-life
model for Daniel Defoe’s novel Robinson Crusoe.
This book is
A. Biography
B. Informational
C. A graphic novel
Way to go!
This book is indeed a biography!
Oops! Try again!
The title of this lesson said that it would be “brief.”
It sure didn’t seem “brief,” did it?!
Actually there are quite a few more genres that we
didn’t even cover!
Fairy
tales
Essay
Humor
Folklore
Poetry
Tall
Tales
Ghost
stories
Novels
in verse
Speeches
Sports
stories
Short
stories
Did you know?
Many of the books in this presentation are
available on some really great reading lists.
These lists offer other good places to look for
a really good book!
Your turn!
Now that you know
a little about genre,
go find a book that
interests you. Be
sure you can tell the
librarian or your
teacher which
genre you selected!
Happy reading!
Acknowledgments
Book photograph by Chocolate Geek (Vipul Mather) titled “for the love of books” on
December 14, 2006. Retrieved from
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vipulmathur/471634239/
Used under Creative Commons license.
Book covers used under Fair Use, Section 107, US Copyright Law; each image belongs
to the publisher of the corresponding book.
“Genre” pronunciation from Merriam-Webster Online. Retrieved 1 May 2009 from
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/genre.
All other sounds and images from Microsoft Office.
Special thanks to Katie Haveman for “test driving” this production!
Contact: Jennifer Haveman