LSSL 5385: Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Genres and Formats

When thinking about genres, there are really only two types. Fiction and Nonfiction. Other genres can piggyback from these two but to an extent. Fiction, for example, can split further into Realism and Fantasy. Realism splits into Realistic and Historical. Fantasy splits between Modern and Traditional which in turn have their own splits. And Nonfiction is Informational text that splits into Biography, Autobiography, and Memoir to Narrative Nonfiction to Expository Nonfiction. Everything after these genres fall under subjects or categories.
Genres are not to be mixed up with formats. A format is a way the information is presented whether it is poetry, a drama, short stories, graphic novels, etc. Formats are oftentimes listed as genres. When thinking about the books in your library, consider both the genre and the format. Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson is from the Realistic genre told in a poetry format.

During my time student teaching, the library was organized by genre. I distinctly remember the “girl books” section of the library. Most of the books were pink with girls on the cover. When it came time to have my own library, I had to think about how I wanted to categorize my books. With so many different formats and cross-genres (I suppose I need to reevaluate the way I consider the thought of “cross-genre” now), I decided alphabetically would be best. Not that it stays that way.
I personally feel that thinking of books as genre and format will help in the future as I consider books to suggest to my students. What format is best for them to receive the information? Do they prefer low fantasy over high fantasy?

After watching Dr. Perry’s video, I think that an integrated library gives students more room to grow as readers since they will be exposed to different genres in their search. By splitting books up into genres and/or subjects or formats, it boxes students rather than gives them room to grow. Shannon Hale wrote an article about how promoting “girl” and “boy” books can do more damage than good (https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/parents-and-teachers-please-stop-discouraging-boys-from-reading-books-about-girls/2018/10/09/f3eaaca6-c820-11e8-b1ed-1d2d65b86d0c_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.c00516c33a9d). A librarian should be there to promote the love of reading, no matter the content.