Literary Genres

A genre is a group or collection of books with a similar theme or style. The following is a brief description of various genres. Can you find your favorite? Try a new one. You may be surprised and really enjoy reading something new!

PICTURE BOOKS - you will find picture books under E in your library. These wonderful stories can be enjoyed by all ages. They are usually written around a theme or two with wonderful illustrations throughout the book.

EASY TO READ (I CAN) BOOKS - you will find these books under ICAN in the library. These are stories that have been written at a level for beginning readers.

FANTASY - these books would be in the fiction section of the library - look for the F or FIC on the spine label along with the first three letter of the author's last name. These types of books contain elements and characters that could not exist in our lives. One would find magical figures such as dragons or talking animals in these types of stories.

HISTORICAL FICTION - these books would be in the fiction section of the library - look for the F or FIC on the spine label along with the first three letter of the author's last name. These types of books give a historically accurate portrayal of life during a specific time in history.

MYSTERY - these books would be in the fiction section of the library - look for the F or FIC on the spine label along with the first three letter of the author's last name. These types of books involve a suspenseful event along with clues to encourage the reader to continue reading and solve the mystery.

REALISTIC FICTION - these books would be in the fiction section of the library - look for the F or FIC on the spine label along with the first three letter of the author's last name. These books have characters that often find themselves in regular, everyday dilemmas. These stories are set in modern times.

NONFICTION BOOKS - are located in a separate section of the library and will have a call number on the spine along with the first three letter of the author's last name. The call numbers are from the Dewey Decimal System. These books are informational books filled with factual information. They can explain how things work or teach us about different topics.

FOLKTALES - these stories have been passed down to us over the years by real people. There are several types of folktales. They include fables, tall tales and fairy tales. Books in this genre are in the nonfiction section of the library in the 300 section.

• Fables usually teach a lesson or moral
• Tall tales usually have an element of exaggeration in them.
• Fairy tales usually have magical elements with characters that include fairies, giants or elves.

POETRY - are located in the nonfiction section of the library in the 800 section. These books include verses or poems that may be serious, humorous or lyrical. Some rhyme and some do not.

BIOGRAPHIES - are located in the separate section of the library. The spine of these books will have a B on it along with the first three letters of the name of the subject of the book. These stories are histories about a person's life. When a person write about his/her own life that is called an autobiography.