H or C
This genre requires the author to do lots of research to make sure the clothing, tools, and speech match a specific time period.
What is Historical?
This genre often includes "World Building," where the author creates brand new rules for how gravity, magic, or society works.
What is Fantasy?
In this genre, the author uses "Red Herrings," which are fake clues meant to lead the reader (and the hero) in the wrong direction.
What is a Mystery?
These stories focus on "Internal Conflict," which means the character is struggling with their own feelings or a difficult choice in the modern world.
What is Realistic Fiction?
This genre uses "Hyperbole" (extreme exaggeration) and "Satire" to make the reader laugh at silly situations.
Humor
These books have "stood the test of time," meaning kids were reading them 50 or 100 years ago, and they are still on library shelves today.
What is Classic?
This genre is often called "The Literature of Ideas" because it explores how futuristic inventions might change the human race.
What is Science Fiction?
The "Setting" is the star of this genre, often featuring dangerous jungles, high seas, or treacherous mountains that the hero must survive.
What is Adventure?
This sub-genre focuses on the "Dynamics" between peers, often involving a falling out and an eventual reconciliation.
What is Friendship?
This genre uses "Suspense" and "Atmosphere" to create a feeling of dread or unease in the reader.
What is Scary?
If a story takes place during the Civil War or the Great Depression, it belongs to this category.
What is Historical Fiction?
If the plot involves a "Quest" to find a magical artifact or defeat a dark lord, it is likely this genre.
What is Fantasy?
A "Cliffhanger" is a common tool in this genre, used at the end of a chapter to keep the reader worried about the hero's safety.
What is Adventure?
If a book is set in a real city like New York in the year 2024 and follows a kid going to a normal middle school, it is this.
What is Realistic?
The "Climax" of this genre almost always takes place during a high-stakes game, match, or tournament.
What is Sports?
While these books are old, they often deal with "universal themes" like growing up or bravery that still feel modern to readers.
What is a Classic?
This genre relies on "speculative technology"—things that don't exist yet but might be possible through advanced engineering or space travel.
What is Science Fiction?
This genre usually ends with an announcement where the protagonist finally explains how they caught the culprit.
What is Mystery?
These stories often explore "Empathy," showing how characters learn to understand the perspectives of the peers they care about.
What is Friendship?
This genre often features an "Underdog"—a character who isn't expected to win but works harder than anyone else to succeed.
What is Sports?