Genres of Literature

*Fiction -Made up in the author’s imagination -False *Non-fiction -Factual -Not false

Realistic Fiction This could really happen, but it is made up from the author’s imagination. Examples: Hatchet Every Soul a Star Summer Ball

Historical Fiction The story has historical events, characters, incidents, or time periods. Examples-Number the Stars I Sailed with Columbus Crispin and the Cross of Lead

Fantasy The story is not realistic. Unbelievable events, characters, or settings occur. An example of this is when animals talk. Examples: Harry Potter Redwall The Lightning Thief

Science Fiction This is a part of fantasy, but it takes place in the future. It often includes devices that have not yet been invented. Examples: Stormbreaker The Green Book I’d Tell You I Love You, But Then I’d Have to Kill You

Traditional Literature This is passed from generation to generation orally. At some point it was written down and made into a story. Often there are many versions of these stories. Examples: Cinderella The Three Little Pigs The Ugly Duckling

Poetry Imaginative Plays with language Sometimes rhymes Examples: “Jabberwocky” “Smart” “The Walrus and the Carpenter”

Drama Written for performance on stage Examples: “The Music Man” “Jesus Christ Superstar” “Godspell” “Once Upon a Mattress”

Biography A story about a person that is factual. Example: Marion Anderson: A Life in Song LeBron James: The Rise of a Star Taylor Swift: Country’s Sweetheart: An Unauthorized Biography

Informational text This is one type of non-fiction. These books are factual. They usually explain or describe a topic. Examples: Everything Scrapbooking Book The Science of Hitting Wildcat Madness

Awards

Caldecott Medal Each year this medal is awarded to the illustrator of the best picture book published in the United States.

Newbery Medal Each year this medal is awarded to the author of an outstanding book published in the United States. This usually goes to a chapter book written for middle school students.

Other Awards Coretta Scott King Award Pura Belpre’ Award Robert F. Sibert Award Mildred Batchelder Award