Genres and Literature
When you speak about genre
and literature, genre means a
category, or kind of story.
All categories of books or stories can be
called either fiction or non-fiction.
Fiction
Non-Fiction
• a made up story
• can tell about things
that could happen
• is read for fun
• characters may be like
real people or
imaginary
• has facts that can be
checked and proven
• the author is an expert
on this information
• it IS TRUE!
• is read for fun and to
learn new information
Fiction
Realistic Fiction
Realistic fiction stories are made-up
stories with made-up characters but the
events could really happen.
Examples of Realistic Fiction
Because of Winn Dixie
Ramona Quimby, Age 8
Owl Moon
Shiloh
Summer of the Swans
Babysitter Club series
Historical Fiction
A fictional story that takes place in a particular
time period in the past. Often the setting is real,
but the characters are made up from the author’s
imagination.
Examples of Historical Fiction
A Boy at War
Across Five Aprils
Ben and Me
The Butterfly
American Girl Series
Sign of the Beaver
Titanic Crossing
Dear America Series
Fantasy
A story including elements that are
impossible such as talking animals or magical
powers.
Examples of Fantasy
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Charlotte’s Web
The Wreck of the Zephyr
Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe
Lord of the Rings
Harry Potter Series
Folklore
Stories that are passed down from one group
to another in history. This includes folktales,
legends, fables, fairy tales, tall tales, and
myths from different cultures.
Examples of Traditional Literature
Aesop’s Fables
Beauty and the Beast
The Bunyans
Cinderella
John Henry
The Talking Eggs
The Tortoise and the Hare
Mystery
A suspenseful story about puzzling
a event that is not solved until the
end of the story.
Examples of Mystery
The House of Dies Drear
Never Say Die
The Treehouse Mystery
Mystery of the Midnight
Message
Encyclopedia Brown Series
Boxcar Children Mysteries
Science Fiction
A type of fantasy that uses science
and technology. (robots, time
machines, etc.)
Examples of Science Fiction
Aliens for Breakfast
A Wrinkle in Time
My Best Friend is
Invisible
Star Wars
The Time Machine
Poetry
Poetry is verse written to create a
response of thought and feeling from
the reader. It often using rhythm and
rhyme.
Examples of Poetry
Where the Sidewalk Ends
New Kid on the Block
Chocolate Dreams: Poems
Mammalabilia
A Pizza the Size of the Sun
Love That Dog
Non-Fiction
Informational
Texts that provide facts about a
variety of topics (sports, animals,
science, history, careers, travel,
geography, space, weather, etc.)
Examples of Informational
Writing
How-To Articles
Newspapers
Encyclopedias
Magazines
Recipes
Biography
The story of a real person’s
life written by another
person.
Examples of Biography
Tiger Woods: An American Master
The HomerunKings: BabeRuth
and Henry Aaron
Clara Barton, a Red Cross Pioneer
Sacagawea
Autobiography
The story of a real person’s
life that is written by that
person.
Examples of Autobiography
Michelle Kwan: Heart of a
Champion
Through My Eyes
Once Upon a Time by Eve Bunting