GENRE CATEGORIES
creative or imaginative writing.
FICTION
has aliens, advanced technology, or is set in the future
Science Fiction
one’s life story written by oneself
Autobiography
Chris Crispin served in the military field of Improvised Explosive Device Disposal during the Iraq War. In other words Crispin was responsible for defusing and disposing bombs. In this text Crispin shares his real life experiences with readers and tells the true story of his time during the war. This text is best described in one word: explosive
Autobiography
The Basketball Player by Terry Rudder Chris
Bosworth has just moved from the farm to the city, and he may be the most awkward freshman in the history of high school. He is lanky, unfashionable, and his voice keeps changing pitch when the teacher calls on him in class. But when Chris starts playing for the school's underdog basketball team, things start to change for him in a big wa
Fiction, Realistic Fiction
writing concerned with the beauty of language.
Poetry
meant to influence the reader
Persuasive Writing
Funny story set in the Wild West; main character’s size or skill exaggerated
Tall Tale
The Frog Princess retold by Alexander A.
A king tells his three sons to shoot arrows and to find brides where their arrows land. While the two older sons find women to marry, a frog picks up the youngest son's arrow. The king then orders each of the brides to complete a series of tasks such as spinning cloth and baking bread. In each of these tasks the frog far outdoes the other brides-to-be, as the frog uses magic to accomplish these tasks. At the end of the story, the frog princess is magically transformed back into a beautiful human girl and she and the prince live happily ever after.
Folklore, Fairytale
Cordwood Pete retold and illustrated by C.G. Mills
Mills retells the stories of Cordwood Pete, younger brother of Paul Bunyan. Unlike Paul, who grew to be a giant, Cordwood Pete was a mere 4 feet 9 inches. Pete's growth was stunted because he could never get enough to eat with Paul eating everything in site. But what Cordwood Pete lacked in size, he made up in speed. He was fast enough to cut 50 square miles in a single day!
Folklore, Tall Tale
writing that is true or factual
Non-Fiction
has magic and/or talking animals; usually starts with "Once Upon A Time"
Fairytale
stories that could be true, but aren’t
Realistic Fiction
Radioactive Adolescent Samurai Frogs by Max Morton
In this modern graphic novel, scientists are testing the effects of radiation on a group of frogs when an earthquake allows them to escape. The frogs hide in a septic tank where a possum named Master Thorn teaches them the way of the Samurai. Master Thorn names the frogs after classic Greek thinkers and soon Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle use their Samurai abilities to fight crime and maintain justice. When they are not protecting the city, the Samurai frogs are eating oddly flavored tacos (like peanut butter and anchovies) in their septic tank and learning life lessons from Master Thorn
Fiction, Fantasy
Love is in the Air retold by Edwin Lowville
In this story a pair of brothers embark on the bold mission to win the hearts of twin princesses. The princesses catch on to the brothers' plans and switch roles throughout the story using magic powers. Confusion ensues. Tensions rise as the princess have the brothers jailed, until they realize that the brothers have won their hearts and they get married and live happily ever after.
Folklore, Fairytale
plays or scripts
Drama
has monsters, magic, or super powers
Fantasy
has gods & goddesses; may account for the creation of something
Myth
Caesar Must Live by Brad Meriwether
Plethos Alexander is a twelve-year-old boy growing up in Ancient Rome. Since his father was lost in the war, Plethos has had it pretty hard. He becomes a stable boy to help his mother earn money. After a long day of working, Plethos falls asleep in the stable only to wake up and overhear a secret conversation about an assassination plot on Julius Caesar. Now Plethos embarks on a mission to save the famed general, but can a simple stable boy get close enough to the Roman leader to save him?
Fiction, Historical Fiction
Rebound: The Recovery of Todd Kinney by Bob Roberts
Todd is a superstar athlete who injures his leg during a pivotal moment and loses his college scholarship. Soon he is abandoned by his friends and falls into a deep depression, but his family remains with him. As Todd works on his physical therapy, he decides that he wants to become a doctor. Todd faces many obstacles and struggles, but he overcomes all. A compelling narrative about a character that falls off the path but learns to walk again.
Fiction, Realistic Fiction
stories once passed down orally.
*Usually will say “retold by” or “adapted by
Traditional Literature
a story that might be true, but is exaggerated
Legend
provides facts or information
Informational Writing
We All Scream for Ice Cream by Sidney Gerber
Sidney shares some of her favorite ice cream recipes in this specialty cookbook. Learn how to make such flavors as double chocolate fudge slide, triple lemon freeze, and vanilla. Never made ice cream before? Don't worry. Sidney's got you covered. This text gives readers specific instructions and photographs of the process. A must have for ice cream aficionados and casual enthusiasts alike
Non-Fiction, Informational
Put a Stake in It (the fourth book in the Sunset series) by Denise Rutherford
Chrissie is in love with Blake, a vampire who goes to her high school, but Blake doesn't even know that she exists. Chrissie tries to get Blake's attention in a variety of ways, including wearing a string of garlic on her neck. This only makes Blake think that she smells like garlic. But when Vince, a swamp monster who's in love with Chrissie, begins teaching her how to get to a vampire's heart, Chrissie starts sharpening wooden stakes. Readers will stay on the edge of their seats trying to figure out how this bizarre love triangle will conclude
Fiction, Fantasy