WHERE DO THE ZOMBIE BOOKS
GO?
GENREFYING FICTION
Terri Lent,
Librarian
Hanover County
Public Schools
Realistic fiction
• Contemporary setting and time period
• True to life issues
• Plausible outcomes
• Coming of age themes
• Social issues and problems
• Guides reader to fuller understanding of
themselves and others
Realistic Fiction Subgenres
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Mystery
Romance
Historical
Military/War
Sports
Thrillers/Suspense
Humor
Mystery
•
•
•
•
•
•
Solutions to secret, problem or crime
Suspenseful, fast paced
Cliffhangers
Foreshadowing
Often in series
Emphasis on plot
Humor
• Meant to entertain
• Humor found in serious situations
• Sense of humor helps protagonist to mature
• One or more characters act as foil to protagonist
• Quirkiness
• Messages of "you are not alone" and "you can
survive"
Romance
• Focus on mutual love and attraction between
characters and on their relationship
• Conflict and climax directly related to relationship
• "Happily ever after" endings
• Often combined with other genres
Classics
• "Distinguished examples of penmanship of a
particular period of history"
• Relevant to broad scope of humanity
• Universal themes and experiences
• Cross-cultural
• Timeliness, effective language
• Influential to future literature
• Time-honored or modern (pre-1980)
Thriller/Suspense
• Previously called Action/Adventure
• Fast paced, suspenseful
• Involves risk and physical danger
• Generally contemporary or realistic setting but not
always
• Hero frustrated by villain, natural forces or other
people but wins in the end
• Quests, journeys or extreme situations
• Characters exhibit quick thinking, problem solving
and inner strength
Thriller/Suspense Subgenres
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•
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Legal
Medical
Political
Psychological
Survival
Crime
Spy
Historical
• Characters and events in historical setting
• Based on dates, peoples or events that were real
• Accuracy of detail is essential
• Protagonist is often fictionalized
• War, social history and political instability
often feature
• May include author notes on research
• Conflict allows reader to compare past with present
to better understand the present
Military/War
• Sub-genre of historical fiction
• Primary action or characters focused on military
service
• May be set in past or present
• Includes Holocaust fiction
• Combat, POW camps, accounts of the home front,
demobilization and veterans returning to civilian
life
Sports
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•
•
•
Characters participate in sports
Emphasis on team sports
Themes of team building and sportsmanship
Often has motivational character who pushes
protagonist to use talent
Fantasy
• Also called speculative fiction
• Invite suspension of reality
• Depends on the impossible or inexplicable
• Strange or otherworldly characters
• Theme is vitally important (often good vs. evil)
• Values of goodness, truth, courage or wisdom
• Use of myth, legend and folklore to add depth and
texture to story
• Readers must enter writer's world to understand
story
Fantasy, continued
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Light fantasy
Romantic fantasy
High fantasy
Magical realism
Urban fantasy
Sword and sorcery
Fairy tale retelling
• Science fiction and Horror are subgenres of
fantasy
Science Fiction
• Set in time that technological or scientific advance
might make possible
• Future societies often portrayed, usually on Earth
• Good vs. evil, often involving technology
• Creates connections between real and imaginary
worlds
• Superhuman qualities that are humanly possible
(extreme intelligence, psychic abilities, etc.)
Science Fiction Subgenres
• Dystopian
• Steampunk
• Alternative histories
• Cyberpunk
Horror
• Primary purpose is to frighten or disgust
• May feature the supernatural, monsters or the
occult
• Includes Gothic stories
• Publishers are using terms like "dark fantasy" and
thriller instead of horror for marketing
Rules of Thumb
• Keep series together
• Keep multiple copies together
• Remember that this is all about MARKETING
• Think about where the book will circulate most
(where will kids look for the book)
• Be willing to change genres based on reader
experiences and preferences
Practicalities
• Determine genres
• Order supplies (Demco
label protectors)
• http://www.demco.com/goto?BLS169479&ALL000
0&es=20141028070820923329
• Determine timeline (10 days to label, 3 hours to
shift books for 5500 books)
Genre Circulation
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Sept.-Oct. 2013
Sept.-Oct. 2014
Fiction Circulation
1200
1000
800
600
400
200
Genrefied
0
Sep-13 Oct-13 Nov-13 Dec-13 Jan-14 Feb-14 Mar-14 Apr-14 May-14 Jun-14
Jul-14 Aug-14 Sep-14 Oct-14
Works Consulted
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"Adventure Fiction." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Feb. 2014. Web. 23
Feb. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adventure_fiction>.
Borck, Denise. "What's Your Fiction Genre?" Life in the Library. N.p., 23 Sept.
2014. Web. 02 Nov. 2014.
Breitsprecher, William P. "Genres." Genres. N.p., 2003-2005. Web. 23 Feb. 2014.
<http://www.breitlinks.com/my_libmedia/genres.htm>.
Currie, Tina. "FANTASTIC BOOK REVIEW: Book Chatter (8) Favorite Genres."
FANTASTIC BOOK REVIEW: Book Chatter (8) Favorite Genres. N.p., 5 Sept.
2011. Web. 02 Nov. 2014.
"Fiction Genre Definitions." Fiction Genre Definitions. Writing to Publish, 2013.
Web. 23 Feb. 2014. <http://www.cuebon.com/ewriters/definitions.html>.
"Genre - Sports Fiction." Wiki-land.wikispaces.com. York Community High
School, n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2014. <https://wiki-land.wikispaces.com/Genre+sports+fiction>.
"Genre Definitions." Albemarle County Public Schools Language Arts Curriculum.
Albemarle County Public Schools, 1996. Web. 23 Feb. 2014.
<http://www2.k12albemarle.org/dept/instruction/languagearts/Curriculum%20App
endices/AppendixF_GenreDef.pdf>.
Works Consulted, Consulted
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"Genre Definitions." English Language Arts. Newfoundland Labrador Canada
Department of Education, Nov. 2008. Web. 23 Feb. 2014.
<http://www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/k12/curriculum/documents/english/biblio46/genre_defin
itions.pdf>.
"Genre Fiction." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 16 Feb. 2014. Web. 23 Feb.
2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genre_fiction>.
"Genres for Young Adult and Young Fiction." Services to Schools. National Library of
New Zealand, n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2014. <http://schools.natlib.govt.nz/creatingreaders/genres-and-read-alouds/genres-young-adult-and-young-fiction>.
Haloin, Marcie, Gaylynn Jameson, JoAnne Piccolo, and Kari Oosterveen. "Genre
Characteristics." Eastern Illinois University, 2005. Web. 23 Feb. 2014.
<http://www.ux1.eiu.edu/~cfder/GenreCharacteristicsChart.pdf>.
Ives, Rachel. "What Makes a Classic Novel a Classic?" Web log post. Suite101.
N.p., 10 Feb. 2011. Web. 23 Feb. 2014. <https://suite101.com/a/what-makes-aclassic-novel-a-classic-a344545>.
James, Steven. "6 Secrets to Creating and Sustaining Suspense." Elements of
Suspense. Writer's Digest, 14 May 2013. Web. 02 Nov. 2014.
Works Consulted, Consulted
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"List of Literary Genres." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 22 Feb. 2014. Web.
23 Feb. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_literary_genres>.
"Literary Fiction Genres." Literary Fiction Genres. Writing to Publish, 2013. Web.
23 Feb. 2014. <http://www.cuebon.com/ewriters/genres.html#subgenre5a>.
"Thriller (genre)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 20 Feb. 2014. Web. 23 Feb.
2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thriller_%28genre%29>.
"Thriller/Suspense Subgenre Definitions." Thriller/Suspense Subgenre Definitions.
Writing to Publish, 2013. Web. 23 Feb. 2014.
<http://www.cuebon.com/ewriters/Tsubgenres.html>.
"War Novel." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 15 Feb. 2014. Web. 23 Feb.
2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_novel>.
HCPS Libraries Genre Definitions – Secondary
Genre
Historical
Fiction
Definition
Characters and
events in a
historical setting
Military/War
Story where the
primary action
takes place in a
field or armed
combat or in a
domestic setting
where the
characters are
preoccupied with
preparations for,
or recovery from,
war. Subgenre of
Historical Fiction
Thrillers
Defined by
extraordinary
situations that
summon an
emotional thrill.
Characters are
swept beyond a
humdrum life by
unforeseen
circumstance
Frequently Found Elements
 Based on dates, people or events that
really happened
 Accuracy of detail is essential
 Protagonist is often fictionalized
 War, social history and political
instability often feature
 May include author notes on research
 Conflict allows reader to compare past
with present to better understand our
world
 May be set in past or present
 Includes Holocaust
 Primarily focused on the first and second
world wars, but also other subsequent
wars, such as Vietnam, as well as smaller
conflicts.
 Includes not only portrayals of combat,
but stories set in POW camps, accounts of
the home front, and depictions of the
difficulties of demobilization and the
veteran returning to civilian life.
Examples
 Chains by
Laurie Halse
Anderson
 Clan of the
Cave Bear by
Jean Auel
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HCPS Libraries Destiny Focus Group
Previously called Action or Adventure
High level of anticipation, adrenalinerushing, fast paced
Hero frustrated by villain, natural forces,
other people but wins in the end
Person vs. person, nature or self
Red herrings, plot twists, cliff hangers,
Involves risk and physical danger
Generally, a contemporary or realistic
setting but not always
Characters face situations that require
quick thinking, problem solving and inner
strength
Main character may go on a quest or
journey and may face extreme conditions
Adventure may or may not involve
history but has plenty of action
May include Legal, Medical, Political,
Psychological, Survival, Crime or Spy
thrillers
Last updated 3/17/2014
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The Things
They Carried
by Tim
O’Brien
Code name
Verity by
Elizabeth
Wein
The Bourne
Identity by
Robert
Ludlum
Congo by
Michael
Crichton
The DaVinci
Code by Dan
Brown
Downriver by
Will Hobbs
Hatchet by
Gary Paulsen
Alex Rider
series by
Anthony
Horowitz
HCPS Libraries Genre Definitions – Secondary
Genre
Fantasy
Definition
Fiction that
invites suspension
of reality; fiction
that depends on
magic or the
impossible or
inexplicable;
fiction with
strange or
otherworldly
characters.
Frequently Found Elements
 Characters often wrestle with the nature
of good and evil and ultimate values like
goodness, truth, courage or wisdom
 Readers must enter the writer’s real to
understand this other world
 Magical elements
 Importance of theme
 Use of myth, legend and folktale to add
depth and texture to narrative
 May include light fantasy, romantic
fantasy, high fantasy, magic realism,
urban historical or heroic fantasies, sword
and sorcery and fairy tales
Science
Fiction
Set in a time
period that
scientific or
technological
advances could or
might make
possible.
Subgenre of
Fantasy
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Horror
Sports
Stories
Primary purpose
is to frighten or
disgust. Subgenre
of Fantasy
Events and
activities within
the story deal
with the
characters’
participation in
sports.
HCPS Libraries Destiny Focus Group
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Story make take place in outer space
where the technology of the future is
predicted
Future societies are often portrayed,
usually on earth with or without the
presence of aliens
Themes frequently deal with good or evil,
often involving technology
May include many dystopian, steampunk,
alternative history or cyberpunk
Creates connections between the real
world and imaginary
Superhuman qualities that are humanly
possible (extreme intelligence, bravery,
psychic abilities)
Examples
 The Hobbit by
J.R.R. Tolkein
 Harry Potter
series by J.K.
Rowling
 Percy Jackson
series by Rick
Riordan
 Charlotte’s
Web by E.B.
White
 Tuck
Everlasting by
Natalie
Babbitt
 Cinder by
Marissa
Mayer
 Ender’s Game
by Orson
Scott Card
 Divergent by
Veronica Roth
 The Giver by
Lois Lowry
May feature the supernatural, monsters, or
the occult
Includes Gothic
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Stephen King
Dean Koontz
Characters struggle with issues related to
sports
Emphasis on team sports
Themes of team play and sportsmanship
Often has motivational character who
motivates protagonist to use talent
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Bleachers by
John Grisham
The Big Field
by Mike
Lupica
Last updated 3/17/2014
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HCPS Libraries Genre Definitions – Secondary
Genre
Romance
Mystery
Humor
Definition
Stories focus on
mutual love and
attraction between
characters and on
their relationship
Stories deal with
the solution of a
secret, problem or
crime, and
involving
suspense or
intrigue
Frequently Found Elements
 “Happily ever after” endings
 Conflict and climax directly relate to the
relationship
 Often combined with other genres
Examples
 Twilight
series by
Stephanie
Myers
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Suspense
Cliffhangers
Foreshadowing
Detective stories and spy novels
Often in series
Emphasis on plot
Fast paced style
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Stories are meant
to entertain,
causing the reader
to smile or laugh
out loud.
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Humor may be found in situations that are
not particularly funny
Send of humor helps the protagonist to
mature
Messages of “you are not alone,” “you
can survive,” and “life is not so serious”
One or more characters act as foils to
protagonist
Quirky characters
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Realistic characters with possible
problems
Outcomes are reasonable and plausible
Settings are contemporary
Themes of growing up and confronting
personal and social problems
Themes are contemporary and may be
controversial
Current political and social issues and
kids’ problems may be explored
Helps students move toward a fuller
understanding of themselves and others
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Relevant to a board scope of humanity
Universal themes and experiences
Communicates across cultures
Timeliness, effective language
Influence of future literature
May be time-honored or modern (pre1980)
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Realistic
Fiction
A story that can
actually happen
and is true to life
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Classics
Books are
“distinguished
examples of
penmanship of
particular period
of history.”
HCPS Libraries Destiny Focus Group
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Last updated 3/17/2014
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The
Christopher
Killer by
Alane
Ferguson
Lois Duncan
Joan Lowry
Nixon
Diary of a
Wimpy Kid
Sideways
Stories
Tears of a
Tiger by
Sharon Draper
The Fault in
Our Stars by
John Green
Breathing
Underwater
by Alex Flinn
Pride and
Prejudice by
Jane Austin
To Kill a
Mockingbird
by Harper Lee
HCPS Libraries Genre Definitions – Secondary
Works Consulted
"Adventure Fiction." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Feb. 2014. Web. 23 Feb. 2014.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adventure_fiction>.
Breitsprecher, William P. "Genres." Genres. N.p., 2003-2005. Web. 23 Feb. 2014.
<http://www.breitlinks.com/my_libmedia/genres.htm>.
"Fiction Genre Definitions." Fiction Genre Definitions. Writing to Publish, 2013. Web. 23 Feb. 2014.
<http://www.cuebon.com/ewriters/definitions.html>.
"Genre - Sports Fiction." Wiki-land.wikispaces.com. York Community High School, n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2014.
<https://wiki-land.wikispaces.com/Genre-+sports+fiction>.
"Genre Definitions." Albemarle County Public Schools Language Arts Curriculum. Albemarle County Public
Schools, 1996. Web. 23 Feb. 2014.
<http://www2.k12albemarle.org/dept/instruction/languagearts/Curriculum%20Appendices/AppendixF_
GenreDef.pdf>.
"Genre Definitions." English Language Arts. Newfoundland Labrador Canada Department of Education, Nov.
2008. Web. 23 Feb. 2014.
<http://www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/k12/curriculum/documents/english/biblio46/genre_definitions.pdf>.
"Genre Fiction." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 16 Feb. 2014. Web. 23 Feb. 2014.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genre_fiction>.
"Genres for Young Adult and Young Fiction." Services to Schools. National Library of New Zealand, n.d. Web.
23 Feb. 2014. <http://schools.natlib.govt.nz/creating-readers/genres-and-read-alouds/genres-youngadult-and-young-fiction>.
Haloin, Marcie, Gaylynn Jameson, JoAnne Piccolo, and Kari Oosterveen. "Genre Characteristics." Eastern
Illinois University, 2005. Web. 23 Feb. 2014.
<http://www.ux1.eiu.edu/~cfder/GenreCharacteristicsChart.pdf>.
HCPS Libraries Destiny Focus Group
Last updated 3/17/2014
HCPS Libraries Genre Definitions – Secondary
Ives, Rachel. "What Makes a Classic Novel a Classic?" Web log post. Suite101. N.p., 10 Feb. 2011. Web. 23
Feb. 2014. <https://suite101.com/a/what-makes-a-classic-novel-a-classic-a344545>.
"List of Literary Genres." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 22 Feb. 2014. Web. 23 Feb. 2014.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_literary_genres>.
"Literary Fiction Genres." Literary Fiction Genres. Writing to Publish, 2013. Web. 23 Feb. 2014.
<http://www.cuebon.com/ewriters/genres.html#subgenre5a>.
"Thriller (genre)." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 20 Feb. 2014. Web. 23 Feb. 2014.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thriller_%28genre%29>.
"Thriller/Suspense Subgenre Definitions." Thriller/Suspense Subgenre Definitions. Writing to Publish, 2013.
Web. 23 Feb. 2014. <http://www.cuebon.com/ewriters/Tsubgenres.html>.
"War Novel." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 15 Feb. 2014. Web. 23 Feb. 2014.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_novel>.
HCPS Libraries Destiny Focus Group
Last updated 3/17/2014
Help! I Don’t Know What to Read!
Dear Student;
If you will fill out this simple questionnaire, the library will provide a bibliography prepared just for you, based on your
interests and abilities. We can’t guarantee that you’ll love every title listed, but we promise that it will be a good start!
Our fiction section is divided into genres (descriptions can be found on the back of this sheet) Do you think you would
like – (check as many as you wish)?
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Mysteries
Fantasy
Science Fiction
Thriller
Realistic
Romance
Historical Fiction
Quick Reads
Science Fiction
Fantasy
Military Fiction
Horror
Sports Fiction
Classics
Graphic Format
Nonfiction books are informational books written by credible authors. Nonfiction books explain how things work, tell
facts about many different topics, and show us how to do various things. What are some things that you interest you
(for example: sports, animals, countries, art, music cars, military, wars, vehicles, etc.)? Be as specific as you can and list
as many as you like.
Is there a book you’ve ready that you really liked? If so, please tell me the title (or anything else you can remember
about the book).
Is there a tv program or movie that you really enjoy? What did you like best about it?
Is there anything else that will help me make some good selections for you?
Student’s name _________________________English teacher _________________________ Block ___________
Realistic fiction are stories that are set in the present day. Characters encounter modern day dramas and problems or
can strictly be just a slice of the daily lives of interesting characters.
Mysteries are stories that involve a suspenseful event (often a crime of some sort). The reader uses clues from the story
to gradually discover who committed the crime, solving the mystery by the end of the story.
Thrillers are a type of realistic fiction that is exciting and usually has an aspect of adventure, action or danger.
Romance stories are all about relationships, dating, crushes and love!
Historical Fiction gives a historically accurate portrayal of life during a particular time in history. They have a strong
sense of place and time. These can include books about people, events in history or historic places.
Quick Reads are short novels that get right to the point of the story by focusing mainly on action and dialogue!
Science Fiction covers stories that include futuristic societies, technology or blend scientific fact and fictional elements.
This genre covers Steampunk, Dystopian, Alternative Realities and Cyberpunk, too.
Fantasy is a type of fiction that contains elements like characters or settings that could not exist in life as we know it.
Examples include dragons or animals with human characteristics or settings that are magical or other-worldly. Many
fantasies cross over with other genres (paranormal romance, for example).
Military Fiction focuses on the military experience (current or past) or even the experiences of families of soldiers during
times of war.
Horror stories are for readers who want to be scared to death. Readers should watch out for chills and nightmares!
Sports Fiction covers lots of different sports, from team sports like football and basketball to individual sports like
surfing and martial arts. Look for plenty of action in these stories.
Classics have stood the test of time and still have plenty to say about universal themes. Students looks to prepare for AP
exams or just to improve your mind should check out this section!
Graphic Format covers classic comic giants like Marvel and DC Comics, manga, manwa, graphic classics, and more!