Have you ever stood in front of the library shelves wondering what kind of book to try next? Understanding genres — the different types of books — can help you find stories you’ll love, whether you’re in the mood for a laugh, a mystery, or a magical journey. Here’s Bruce the Moose with a breakdown of the genres we’re exploring — plus some top picks for each one.
🧙♂️ Fantasy
What it is: Fantasy books take you to imaginary worlds full of magic, mythical creatures, and incredible adventures.
Great for readers who love: dragons, wizards, magical quests, and talking animals.
Recommended Reads:
The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
Wings of Fire series by Tui T. Sutherland
Mystery
What it is: Mysteries are all about solving puzzles or crimes. You’ll gather clues, make guesses, and try to solve the case before the characters do!
Great for readers who love: solving puzzles, twists and turns, and surprise endings.
Recommended Reads:
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
Encyclopedia Brown series by Donald J. Sobol
City Spies by James Ponti
🤖 Science Fiction
What it is: Sci-fi books imagine the future or alternate worlds with advanced technology, space travel, robots, or scientific experiments gone wrong.
Great for readers who love: gadgets, outer space, alternate realities, and asking “what if?”
What it is: These are stories told through pictures and speech bubbles, like a long comic book.
Great for readers who love: strong visuals, action-packed stories, and quick reads.
Recommended Reads:
Smile by Raina Telgemeier
New Kid by Jerry Craft
InvestiGators by John Patrick Green
When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed
💗 Biography
What it is: Biographies tell the true story of a real person’s life — often someone who changed the world or did something amazing.
Great for readers who love: inspiring stories and learning about real people.
Recommended Reads:
Malala: My Story of Standing Up for Girls’ Rights by Malala Yousafzai
Shark Lady by Jess Keating
The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles
Kid Scientists by David Stabler
🐾 Animal Stories
What it is: These stories star animals as the main characters — sometimes realistic, sometimes talking or magical.
Great for readers who love: animal adventures, wildlife, and heartwarming tales.
Recommended Reads:
A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Parry
Pax by Sara Pennypacker
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
Redwall series by Brian Jacques
🏅 SPORTS
Books in the Sports genre focus on athletes, teams, and the challenges and excitement of competition. These stories often include training, teamwork, wins and losses, and characters who grow both on and off the field. Whether it’s basketball, soccer, dance, or martial arts, sports books are full of action and heart.
📖 Try:
Ghost – Jason Reynolds
The Crossover – Kwame Alexander
Soccer Shootout – Jake Maddox
🧭 ADVENTURE
Adventure books are full of excitement, danger, and fast-paced action! These stories often feature characters who go on daring journeys, explore new places, or survive in the wild. Adventure books keep you on the edge of your seat as you turn the pages to see what happens next.
📖 Try:
Hatchet – Gary Paulsen
Percy Jackson and the Olympians – Rick Riordan
Treasure Hunters – James Patterson
📖 What’s Your Favourite Genre?
Exploring different genres can help you discover new books and new favorites. Why not try something you’ve never read before?
