Literary Genres and Library Basics Grade 4-6

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering literary genres, the Dewey Decimal System, and library terminology for elementary students.

REALISTIC FICTION

A made-up story that could really happen with believable characters and settings, typically set in the present or recent past with no magic or supernatural events.

ADVENTURE

Stories where characters go on exciting journeys, missions, or dangerous experiences involving travel, exploration, courage, and perseverance.

SPORTS FICTION

Stories where sports play an important role in the plot, often focusing on teamwork, competition, and improvement.

MYSTERY

A story with a problem or crime that must be solved using clues, suspects, and an investigator, often featuring a surprise ending.

SCIENCE FICTION

Stories based on science or technology that may happen in the future, often featuring future settings, robots, space travel, or advanced technology.

HISTORICAL FICTION

Made-up stories set during real events in history using fictional characters and historically accurate details.

FANTASY

Stories with magic or things that cannot happen in real life, often featuring mythical creatures, imaginary worlds, and themes of good vs. evil.

GRAPHIC NOVELS

A book format (not a genre) that tells stories using comic-style panels, speech bubbles, and sequential artwork.

NONFICTION

Books that contain true information about real people, places, animals, or events, often including facts, real photographs, a table of contents, and an index.

000–099 (Dewey Decimal)

The Dewey Decimal category for General Knowledge, including computers, encyclopedias, records, and puzzles.

900–999 (Dewey Decimal)

The Dewey Decimal category for History, covering countries, states, wars, and geography.

500–599 (Dewey Decimal)

The Dewey Decimal category for Science, including topics like Earth, weather, chemistry, and astronomy.

590–599 (Dewey Decimal)

The specific Dewey Decimal subcategory for Animals, including mammals, reptiles, birds, insects, and ocean life.

700–799 (Dewey Decimal)

The Dewey Decimal category for Hobbies & Crafts, including art, drawing, music, cooking, and sports skills.

920 or B/921 (Dewey Decimal)

The Dewey Decimal category or classification used in many school libraries for Biographies (real people's life stories).

796 (Dewey Decimal)

The specific Dewey Decimal number assigned to individual and team Sports.

Fiction

Literature characterized as made up or for entertainment, consisting of characters, a plot, and a story.

Genre Detective Game

A library activity where students work in pairs to identify the genre of various books and justify their choice using evidence.