This document defines and provides brief descriptions of several genres of literature including fiction, nonfiction, realistic fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, science fiction, horror, and mystery. Fiction means the story is made up, nonfiction tells about real things and has facts, realistic fiction has made-up characters but realistic events, and historical fiction is similar but set in the past. Fantasy and science fiction involve imaginary elements like magic or advanced technology. Horror and mystery aim to scare or puzzle the reader with crimes or puzzling events to be solved.

1. Fiction
Fiction means that a story is
not real, someone made it up.

2. Nonfiction
Nonfiction books tell
about real things and
have facts in them.

3. Realistic Fiction
Realistic fiction stories have
made-up characters but
things happen that could
happen in real life.

4. Historical
FictionHistorical fiction stories have
made up characters but things
happen that could have
happened in real life a long time
ago.

5. Fantasy
Fantasy stories can’t happen
in real life and they have
magic or magical creatures.

6. Science Fiction
Science fiction stories can’t
happen in real life and they
have unusual science and
technology.

7. Horror
Horror stories are stories
that are supposed to scare
you.

8. Mystery
Mystery stories are stories
where someone has to
solve a crime or figure out
a puzzling event.
Mystery