When you speak about genre and literature, genre means a category, or kind of story.

Fiction a made up story can tell about things that could happen is read for fun characters may be like real people or imaginary Non-Fiction has facts that can be checked and proven the author is an expert on this information it IS TRUE!

Realistic fiction is made up of stories that could really happen. Contemporary realistic fiction is realistic fiction that is set in modern times.

Because of Winn Dixie Crash Owl Moon Shiloh Summer of the Swans Babysitter Club series

Historical fiction is made up of stories that take place in a certain time and place in the past. Real historical figures and settings may be included in a fiction story.

A Boy at War Across Five Aprils Ben and Me Titanic Crossing An American Girl series Dear America Series

Folklore includes stories, myths, and fables that people told one another over the years. Later the stories were written down.

Aesop’s Fables The Bunyans Johnny Appleseed John Henry Just So Stories The Tortoise and the Hare

Fantasy is fiction that has elements that are not real. Sometimes this includes talking animals or characters with magical powers. There’s usually a conflict between good and evil.

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Charlotte’s Web Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe Lord of the Rings Percy Jackson series Harry Potter Series

Special beginning and/or ending words - Once upon a time...and they lived happily ever after. Good character Evil character Royalty and/or a castle usually present Magic happens Problem and a Solution Things often happen in "threes" or "sevens"

Snow White Sleeping Beauty The 12 Dancing Princesses Cinderella The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales

Mysteries are stories that have a real setting and a problem to be solved that includes clues, distractions, and an answer to the problem.

Sherlock Holmes 39 Clues The Treehouse Mystery Mystery of the Midnight Message Encyclopedia Brown Series Boxcar Children Mysteries

Science Fiction is made up of stories that blend fact and fiction with futuristic technology.

Aliens for Breakfast A Wrinkle in Time My Best Friend is Invisible Star Wars The Time Machine

The characters (and the reader) can always expect the worst - the main characters can, and usually do, have everything thrown at them. Action, action and more action are hallmarks of a good adventure/suspense book. The entire read is a roller coaster ride of chills and excitement with the last stop (and page) not always ending in happiness. And finally, there must be a villain, for without a foe…without an adversary, there can be no adventure…no suspense.

Treasure Island Island of the Blue Dolphins A Series of Unfortunate Events The Cay White Fang Hatchet

Poetry is verse written to inspire thoughts and feelings in the reader. It often uses rhyme and rhythm, or it can be written in free verse.

Where the Sidewalk Ends Dr. Seuss Books Chocolate Dreams: Poems Mammalabilia A Pizza the Size of the Sun Love That Dog

Informational books are nonfiction books that give true facts on a variety of subjects.

Dirt Bikes Flying Animals Danger! Earthquakes Newspapers Encyclopedias

A biography is the true story of a real person’s life from the past or present. An autobiography is written by the person it is about.

Tiger Woods: An American Master The Homerun Kings: Babe Ruth and Henry Aaron Clara Barton, a Red Cross Pioneer Sacagawea