Genres of Fiction

What are Genres?
A Genre is a category of literature. Stories are placed in different genres based on 4 major story elements: Plot, Setting, Characters, and Theme

The plot is a series of events that take place in a story and that is centered around a main conflict or problem.

The setting is when and where the story takes place.

The characters are the people or animals in the story who drive the action.

The theme is the lesson or message the author tries to teach through his story.

Stories with similar plots, setting elements, characters, or themes are grouped into categories or genres. While some stories are only members of one genre, other stories might contain elements of two or more genres.

This year we will focus on EIGHT major genres of FICTION

Realistic Fiction contains a realistic plot, realistic characters, and is set in the present day. The Bluford series or Slam! by Walter Dean Myers are examples of Realistic Fiction.
Historical Fiction contains a realistic plot, realistic characters, and is set in the past. Historical Fiction is often focused on historical events, such as the Civil War or the thirteen colonies. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry is an example of Historical Fiction.
Science Fiction contains elements of future science and technology, like space ships or time machines, and is often set in the future. Star Wars is an example of Science Fiction.
Fantasy stories contain unreal characters and unreal settings. Unicorns, Fairies, and elves are common characters in fantasies. The Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter are examples of fantasies.
Action-Adventure stories contain themes of risk and danger. Many comic books series like Spiderman or Batman can be considered Action-Adventure stories.
Romance contains stories that involve the love between a man and a woman as the main plot and usually has a happy ending. Examples of romance include Twilight by Stephanie Meyer and Romiette and Julio by Sharon Draper.
Horror stories are written with the purpose of making the reader afraid. R. L. Stein novels in the Goosebumps Series are examples of horror stories.
Mysteries contain a plot that involves the search for clues where a discovery is made during the climax of the story. Agatha Christy novels and The Boxcar Children series are mysteries.

Choosing Books for Independent Reading

The more you read, the more you grow!

Ways Readers Choose Books

Each of you will choose books this year to read on your own. Readers choose books to read in many different ways and for many different reasons. Sometimes you know exactly what kind of book you want to read, and choosing a book is easy. However, sometimes when you are unsure of the kind of book you want to read, you might find it more difficult to choose a book that interests you. Here are some suggestions for choosing a book that you will enjoy:

• Look at the Front cover or inside Jacket
• Read the Back Cover
• Find another book by an author you know and like
• Find another book in a series
• Find a book with an interesting title
• Find a book with characters you liked from another book
• Read the book version of a movie or television show you like
• Find new books in a genre you enjoy (like science fiction or fantasy)
• Read the first page
• Read an excerpt from the middle of the book
• Ask your friends for recommendations
• Ask your parents for recommendations
• Ask Ms. Stewart for recommendations
• Ask other teachers for recommendations
• Ask the librarian for recommendations

Make Sure the Book you Choose is on the Right Level for You

There are many different kinds of books. Some books are easy, some are just right, and some are challenging. We read different kinds of books for different reasons.

Sometimes, easy books are fun to read. They are the kind of books you read when you want to relax. They do not take a lot of effort to read and you can understand them very well.

Just right books are books that you can understand and enjoy. For the most part, Just right books are books that you can read smoothly and understand with only a few places where you will need to slow down to figure out a word or think more about the meaning. These are the books you should read to help you become a better reader. Every time you read a just right book, you will grow and learn and become a stronger reader.

Challenging books are difficult for you to read. They have many words that are difficult for you and you have trouble understanding most of what you are reading. Most challenging books are too difficult for you to enjoy right now, but are books that you might like to read later. Challenging books are usually not very good choices for right now. There may be some times when you need to read a challenging book, such as when you need to find facts or learn more about a particular topic, but most of the time you should save challenging books until they are just right for you.

The Five Finger Rule

The Five Finger rule will help you choose books that are just right for you. After choosing a book you think you will enjoy reading, you need to make sure that is is on your just right reading level. To make sure the book you chose is just right for you:

1. Open the book to the middle.
2. Read the whole page out loud. You need to read the page out loud so you can hear yourself if you make a mistake.
3. Hold up a finger each time you make a mistake. Mistakes can include words you do not know, or words that you say incorrectly.
4. Finally, count your fingers.

If you are holding up 5 fingers after reading the whole page, this books will be challenging for you. Save this book for later.
If you are holding up 2-4 fingers after reading the whole page, this book is just right for you. This book will help you grow as a reader!
If you are only holding up 1 finger or no fingers, this book is too easy for you. This book might be fun, but it won't help you become a better reader.