Narrative of a person's life, a true story about a real person.
An autobiography is when a person tells the story of their own life, and a biography is when a person tells the story of someone else's life.
Stories composed in verse or prose, usually for theatrical performance, where conflicts and emotion are expressed through dialogue and action.
Story about fairies or other magical creatures, usually for children.
Narration demonstrating a useful truth, especially in which animals speak as humans; legendary, supernatural tale.
Fiction with strange or other worldly settings or characters; fiction which invites suspension of reality.
Narrative literary works whose content is produced by the imagination and is not necessarily based on fact.
Many genre categories all fall under fiction; realistic fiction, fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction, horror, myth, legend, tall tale, fairy tale, folk tale all fall in the category of Fiction.
The songs, stories, myths, and proverbs of a people or "folk" as handed down from generation to generation. Fables, myths, fairy tales, tall tales, and legends all fall under the "umbrella" of Folktales.
Story with fictional characters and events in a historical setting.
Fiction in which events evoke a feeling of dread in both the characters and the reader.
Fiction full of fun, fancy, and excitement, meant to entertain; but can be contained in all genres
Story, sometimes of a national or folk hero, which has a basis in fact but also includes imaginative material.
Fiction dealing with the solution of a crime or the unraveling of secrets.
Legend or traditional narrative, often based in part on historical events, that reveals human behavior and natural phenomena by its symbolism; often pertaining to the actions of the gods.
Factual information presented in a format which tells a story.
Informational text dealing with an actual, real-life subject. Facts that are true, information that is true.
Verse and rhythmic writing with imagery that creates emotional responses.
Story that can actually happen and is true to life.
Story based on impact of actual, imagined, or potential science, usually set in the future or on other planets.
Humorous story with blatant exaggerations, swaggering heroes who do the impossible with nonchalance.
Trickster Tales
Tales in which a smaller, weaker character wins over a stronger more powerful character by using their wits or cleverness.
Genre Challenge: By the end of elementary school, try and read at least two or three books in every genre. You may be surprised to discover a new genre that you didn't know you would love! Use the spreadsheet below to track your reading!
If you want, take part in the Reading Badge program. Ask Mrs. B. and you will receive a genre badge punch card, which will be kept in the library. Read 3 books 10 genres to achieve Library Ninja status! Click here for details!
ATTENTION: Please open then make a copy, and
rename the copy starting with your first name,
Example: "Jane Genre Spreadsheet"