About+Books+in+General


 * __Book Information__**

__A Quick Look at Format and Genre __ These are guidelines, simplified definitions. There is crossover. Don't get too caught up in the details as it can make you crazy, but having a basic understanding will better enable you to make appropriate book choices.

**__Format:__ The type or form of the book. How the information is presented not what the information is about. Examples of varying formats include:

__Picture Book__: A book in which pictures play a large part in telling the story. Traditionally, picture books are 32 pages, geared to children between the ages of 4-8, and are made up of between 1,000 and 1,500 words. However, also included in this category are baby books and board books--much simpler works designed for children from birth to age 3. As well, picture books are available to suit children as old as 10, are often nonfiction, and can be up to 48 pages and contain 2,000 words.

__Early Readers:__ Are often called "easy to read" and are geared to childen just starting to read independently (ages 5-8).**


 * __Transition books:__ **  **Sometimes called "early chapter books" for ages 6-9, they bridge the gap between early readers and chapter books. Usually about 30 pages long broken into 2 or 3 chapters** **.**


 * __Chapter Books__: For ages 7-10, chapter books are up to 60 pages and are made up of 3-4 page chapters. Action driven.

__Middle Grade Books__: Longer more complex stories of any genre that may contain multiple subplots. Highly character-driven.**


 * __Young Adult Books__: For ages 12 and up. Works up to 200 pages covering a wide variety of topics often focusing on struggles and problems facing today's teenagers **.

(Definitions taken from __The Book Whisperer__ by Donalynn Miller)
 * __Genre:__ What the book is about--its gerneral topic or subject. They include: **

__Picture Books__: (told it would get confusing) This is the one category that relates to both content and format.

__Realistic Fiction__: A story using made up characters, but events that could happen in real life.

__Historical Fiction__: A fictional story that takes place in a particular time period in the past. The setting is real, but the characters are usually made up.

__Fantasy__: A story including elements that are impossible such as talking animals and magical powers.

__Mystery__: A suspenseful story about a puzzling event that is not solved until the end of the story.

__Science Fiction__: A type of fantasy that uses science and technology such as robots, time machines, etc.

__Traditional Literature/Folklore__: Stories that are passed down from one group to another in history. Includes folktales, legends, fables, fairy tales, tall tales and myths.

__Non Fiction__ which is further categorized as

__Informational__: Books that provide facts about a variety of topics such as sports, animals, science or history.

__Biographical__: The story of a real person's life written by another person.

__Autobiographical__: The story of a real person's life that is written by that person.

__Poetry__: Verse written to create a response of thought or feeling from the reader. It often uses rhythm and rhyme.

__Odds and Ends__

Graphic Novels

Audio Books

Magazines

Online Books