Book Genres

What is a genre? A genre is a classification used to sort books into different categories. It comes from the French word meaning “kind”.

Mystery A mystery is a story in which there is a problem that needs to be solved. Many times there is a spy or detective who uses clues to help him/her crack the case.

Biography This genre tells about a real person. Someone else tells the story of this person’s life.

Autobiography A story written about a real person. The person writes the story about herself or himself. Example: Kate wrote a story about her life.

Fable A fable is a short story, normally with animal characters, that teaches a lesson or a moral.

Poetry Poetry is often shorter stories that use words to express a feeling. They can rhyme and are typically written in stanzas or lines.

Fiction Fiction stories are make-believe, or fake, stories the author has written. The story can use real people or animals, but the storyline is made up.

Non-Fiction Non-fiction stories use real facts and information to tell about a certain subject.

Fantasy A fantasy is a fiction story that generally contains magic. The characters do things that wouldn’t happen in real life. There may be creatures in the story that do not really exist in real life.

Your Turn Let’s see what you can remember about genre. Read each of the following sentences and then choose the genre that you think it best describes. Click the mouse to see the correct response.

1. Mary Smith wrote a book about Michael Jordan. This is an example of a/an ________________. a. biography b. autobiography c. mystery

1. Mary Smith wrote a book about Michael Jordan. This is an example of a/an ________________. a. biography

2. In a ___________ someone may have something stolen from them that they want returned. a.Fable b.mystery c.myth

2. In a ___________ someone may have something stolen from them that they want returned. b. mystery

3. A story that has a moral or lesson is a/an ______________. a.Fantasy b.Myth c.Fable

3. A story that has a moral or lesson is a/an ______________. c. Fable

4. This type of story contains the element of magic. a.Myth b.Fantasy c.Fable

4. This type of story contains the element of magic. b. Fantasy

a. fable b. mystery c. poetry 5. The friendly cow, all red and white, I love with all my heart; She gives me cream with all her might, To eat with apple tart. This is an example of ______________.

c. poetry 5. The friendly cow, all red and white, I love with all my heart; She gives me cream with all her might, To eat with apple tart. This is an example of ______________.

6. If someone writes a story about himself, it is called a/an ______________. a.Myth b.Autobiography c.Biography

6. If someone writes a story about himself, it is called a/an ______________. b. Autobiography

7. If a story is written about real information to tell people about something it is ______________. a.Fiction b.Non-fiction c.Fable

7. If a story is written about real information to tell people about something it is ______________. b. Non-fiction

8. John has lost his glasses. He hires a detective to help him find them. This is an example of a __________. a. biography b. fable c. mystery

8. John has lost his glasses. He hires a detective to help him find them. This is an example of a __________. c. mystery

9. This type of story is made up, or not real. a. mystery b. fiction c. non-fiction

9. This type of story is made up, or not real. b. fiction

10. This genre normally consists of stanzas, or lines, of words that often rhyme. a. non-fiction b. fiction c. poetry

10. This genre normally consists of stanzas, or lines, of words that often rhyme. c. poetry

11. In the story of the Grasshopper and the Ant, the moral is that you should be responsible and get your work done. This is an example of a ____________. a. fable b. poetry c. mystery

11. In the story of the Grasshopper and the Ant, the moral is that you should be responsible and get your work done. This is an example of a ____________. a. fable

12. Lucille Ball wrote a book about herself called Love, Lucy. This is an example of a/an __________. a. non-fiction b. autobiography c. biography

12. Lucille Ball wrote a book about herself called Love, Lucy. This is an example of a/an __________. b. autobiography

13. Our teacher wrote a paper about David Shannon. This would be an example of a/an _________. a. biography b. autobiography c. fiction

13. Our teacher wrote a paper about David Shannon. This would be an example of a/an _________. a. biography

14. The Harry Potter series is a great example of the genre _______ because of the make- believe characters and magic. a. poetry b. mystery c. fantasy

14. The Harry Potter series is a great example of the genre _______ because of the make- believe characters and magic. c. fantasy

15. Jack wrote a book about dogs. It tells us how to teach them tricks. This is a ____________ book. a. fiction b. non-fiction c. biography

15. Jack wrote a book about dogs. It tells us how to teach them tricks. This is a ____________ book. b. non-fiction

16. My sister wrote a story about people living in Florida. She made up names for all of the people. This is an example of ____________. a. biography b. non-fiction c. fiction

16. My sister wrote a story about people living in Florida. She made up names for all of the people. This is an example of ____________. c. fiction

17. I read a book about a missing dog. What kind of book was it? a. mystery b. fable c. fantasy

17. I read a book about a missing dog. What kind of book was it? a. mystery

18. My uncle wrote a book about himself. This is a/an __________. a. biography b. autobiography c. fiction

18. My uncle wrote a book about himself. This is a/an __________. b. autobiography

19. In the story of the Lion and the Mouse, the mouse proves even the smallest can help the greatest. This is an example of ____________. a. mystery b. fantasy c. fable

19. In the story of the Lion and the Mouse, the mouse proves even the smallest can help the greatest. This is an example of ____________. c. fable

20. Patty wrote a book telling people about boats. This is an example of _____________. a. fiction b. non-fiction c. fantasy

20. Patty wrote a book telling people about boats. This is an example of _____________. b. non-fiction

21. Tom wrote a story about Jenny. This is an example of _________. a. biography b. autobiography c. fiction

21. Tom wrote a story about Jenny. This is an example of _________. a. biography

22. Shel Silverstein wrote the following: Tell me who can Catch a toucan? Lou can This is an example of __________. a. poetry b. fantasy c. fable

22. Shel Silverstein wrote the following: Tell me who can Catch a toucan? Lou can This is an example of __________. a. poetry

23. A story that has make-believe characters, a made-up setting, and other non-real events is an example of ___________. a. non-fiction b. mystery c. fiction

23. A story that has make-believe characters, a made-up setting, and other non-real events is an example of ___________. c. fiction

FANTASTIC WORK!