1. Literary Genres

2. Genre means a category, or type of literature.
All books can be divided into two categories:
fiction nonfiction
a made up story
can tell about things that could happen
is read for fun
characters may be like real people or imaginary
facts that can be checked and proven
the author is an expert on this information
it IS TRUE!

3. There are many genres of books. Here are some of the common ones:
Categories of Genre
There are many genres of books. Here are some of the common ones:
Realistic fiction
Historical fiction
Science fiction
Adventure
Mystery
Fantasy
Myths
Folktales
Fables
Fairy tales
Tall tales
Informational
Poetry
Biography

4. Realistic Fiction Stories are set in the real world.
Contains characters who seem believable.
The reader believes that the story could “really happen.”
In this book, five year old Fudge Hatcher becomes obsessed by money - he's drawing dollar signs at breakfast, thumbing through catalogs at bedtime, and making enough "Fudge Bucks" to buy the whole world (or, at least, Toys "R" Us) -- an embarrassment to his entire family, especially his older brother, Peter, who is just starting seventh grade. 
Double Fudge - In this book, five year old Fudge Hatcher becomes obsessed by money - he's drawing dollar signs at breakfast, thumbing through catalogs at bedtime, and making enough "Fudge Bucks" to buy the whole world (or, at least, Toys "R" Us) -- an embarrassment to his entire family, especially his older brother, Peter, who is just starting seventh grade
Cockroach Cooties - "There are two kinds of people in this world--the bullies and the victims," Teddy tells his younger brother, Bobby; the two have just incurred the wrath of their schoolmate Arnie, better known as Arnie-zilla. "Guess which bunch we belong to?" However, the boys inadvertently discover that the bully is afraid of cockroaches, and the tables turn.

5. Examples of Realistic Fiction
Because of Winn Dixie
Crash
Owl Moon
Shiloh
Summer of the Swans
Babysitter Club series

6. Historical Fiction Stories set in times past.
Blends history with fiction.
Historical fiction helps us understand what life might have been like during a particular time period.
Storm Warriors – In 1895, after his mother’s death, 12 year old Nathan moves with his father and grandfather to Pea Island off the coast of North Carolina, where he hopes to join the all-black crew at the nearby lifesaving station, despite his father’s objections.
Titanic Crossing –In 1912, thirteen-year-old Albert considers his younger sister a pest, but things change when they travel with their mother and uncle aboard the Titanic and are caught up in its tragic sinking.  This book is very exciting and full of suspense.

7. Examples of Historical Fiction
A Boy at War
Across Five Aprils
Ben and Me
The Butterfly
Charlie Skedaddle
Sign of the Beaver
Titanic Crossing
Dear America Series

8. Science fiction
Stories that blend fact and fiction with futuristic technology
May involve magic or time travel.

9. Examples of Science Fiction
Aliens for Breakfast
A Wrinkle in Time
My Best Friend is Invisible
Star Wars
The Time Machine

10. Adventure Setting many times in the wild.
Main character must make decisions that will determine if he or she will survive.
Main character usually grows and finds strength of character in the situation.
Exciting plots.
Escaping from an unwanted marriage, a thirteen-year-old Eskimo girl gets lost on the Alaskan tundra and is befriended by a wolf pack.
The big wander - As he searches for his uncle through the rugged Southwest canyon country, fourteen-year-old Clay becomes involved with a group of Navajo Indians who are trying to save some of the last wild mustangs.

11. Examples of Adventure Hatchet The Call of the Wild
Touching Spirit Bear
Julie of the Wolves

12. Mystery Deals with a problem that must be solved.
Something or someone is missing.
Strange events keep happening.
A detective or main character looks for clues in order to solve the mystery.
The Westing Game – The Mysterious death of an eccentric millionaire brings together an assortment of heirs who must discover the murderer before they can claim their inheritance.
The Dark Stairs - The Dark Stairs is a great book for people who love suspense,mysteries and fright. The story is a about a teenage girl who's parents both hold law inforcing invetigation occupations. The fun starts when the mystery of the mysterious Dead Oaks, an estate that has been deserted for years, is investigated by Herculeah and her friend Meat. The plot contains lots of 'who, what, where, when, how and why.'

13. Examples of Mystery The House of Dies Drear Never Say Die
The Treehouse Mystery
Mystery of the Midnight Message
The Hardy Boys Series
Boxcar Children Mysteries

14. Fantasy The reader must suspend belief.
Many times the story takes place in another world.
May involve magic or time travel.
Sometimes animals can talk or have human characteristics.
The Indian in the Cupboard – A nine year old boy receives a plastic Indian, a cupboard, and a little key for his birthday and finds himself involved in adventure when the Indian comes to life in the cupboard and befriends him.
Bright Shadow – Having used four of the five wishes she is granted to make on behalf of the hapless citizens of her country. Morwenna flees the kingdom to decide what to do with the last wish.

15. 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

16. Myths, Folk Tales, Fables, Fairy Tales, and Tall tales

17. Myth
A story that usually explains something about the world and involves gods and other superhuman beings.

18. Examples of Myths Baucis and Philemon Medusa’s Head Quetzalcoatl
Daedalus and Icarus

19. Folk Tale
A folk tale is a story with no known author. Folk tales are passed down from one generation to another by word of mouth.

20. Examples of Folk Tales Johnny Appleseed Yellowhammer Seventh Sister
How the Snake Got Poison
John Henry

21. Fable
A fable is a very brief story in prose or in verse that teaches a moral or a practical lesson about how to succeed in life.

22. Examples of Fables The Crow and the Jar The Wolf and the House Dog
The Fox and the Crow
The Country Mouse and the City Mouse
The Maid and the Milk Pail

23. Fairy tale
A fairy tale is a type of imaginative writing that carries the reader into an invented world where the laws of nature, as we know them, do not operate.

24. Examples of Fairy Tales
Cinderella
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Ella Enchanted
Cinder Edna
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25. Tall Tale A fictional story that stretches the truth.
The heroes or sheroes are "larger than life.“
Characters are given exaggerated characteristics 

26. Some classic tall tale heroes and sheroes are Paul Bunyan, Davy Crockett, Sally Ann Thunder Ann Whirlwind Crockett, Pecos Bill, and Slue-Foot Sue.

27. Informational Tells facts that can be looked-up or proven
tells about real events
characters have really lived
may have maps, diagrams and illustrations to explain the facts
author is an expert on the subject

28. Examples of Informational Writing
Dirt Bikes
Flying Animals
Danger! Earthquakes
Newspapers
Encyclopedias

29. Poetry
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.

30. 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

31. Biography
The true story of a real person’s life from the past or present.

32. Examples of Biography Tiger Woods: An American Master
The HomerunKings: BabeRuth and
Henry Aaron
Clara Barton, a Red Cross Pioneer
Sacagawea