DEFINING GENRES

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What is a genre?

Genres are used to group books together by their similarities. Books typically fall predominantly into one genre, but may contain elements of several genres

This is a quick refresher on the various book genres you may find interesting.

Click around for genre definitions and a few book or author suggestions for each genre.

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Choose a Genre

REALISTIC

HISTORICAL

ACTION/ADVENTURE

SCI-FI

FANTASY

MYSTERY

HUMOR

HORROR

Action/Adventure

Physical action, impossible missions and survival in the wilderness are common themes.

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Alex Rider Series by Anthony HorowitzHatchet by Gary PaulsenBourne Identity by Robert LudlumTrapped by Michael Northrop

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Fantasy

Storyline usually takes place in a fantastical world

Typically has mythical characters Almost always features the use of

magic

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Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. TolkienTwilight Series by Stephenie MeyerEragon by Christopher Paolini

Subgenres:Urban Fantasy – modern world with fantasy charactersParanormal

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Historical

Setting is important and focuses on a specific time period

Typically fictionalized accounts of real world events or people

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The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa GregoryGirl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy ChevalierFever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson

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Horror

Meant to inspire terror No guarantee of a “happily ever after” ending Can contain supernatural elements, but they

are not a requirement

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Many Stephen King novels such as It Clive Barker is another novelist who writes mostly horror.

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Humor

Main goal is to make you laugh Often blended with other genres

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Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel CohnHitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas AdamsAway Laughing on a Fast Camel by Louise Rennison

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Mystery

Plot is based on solving a mystery, often a crime

Mystery is typically resolved at the end

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Mystery Authors:Agatha ChristieJames PattersonArthur Conan DoyleDavid Baldacci

Subgenres:ThrillerSuspenseCrime

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Realistic

Story could actually take place Usually deals with real world issues

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Crank by Ellen HopkinsLockdown by Walter Dean MyersThirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

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Sci-Fi

Plot focuses on scientific/technological advances

Setting is usually (but not always) futuristic

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Ender’s GameThe House of the Scorpion by Nancy FarmerHungry City Chronicles by Philip Reeve

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