Curriculum Laboratory

Our Favourite Children's and Young Adult Authors (Arranged by Genre)

For further assistance in using any of the resources in the Lab, please ask at the Curriculum Lab Information Services Desk.

"It's all a matter of keeping [our] eyes open....  Beauty and grace are performed whether or not we sense them.  The least we can do is try to be there...so that creation need not play to an empty house (Annie Dillard)."  Interacting with literature is one way of "being there."

  • Definitions:
    • Children's literature-- both fiction and non-fiction books, written especially for children 0-12 years old.
    • Young adult literature -- both fiction and non-fiction books, written for people 13-18 years old.
    • Genre -- a category of literature defined by their shared characteristics. Within each genre, there are many sub-genres.
    • Chapter book -- stories generally longer than 48 pages, and written in a chapter format.
    • Trade books -- all books published for children and young adults that are not primarily published as part of a basal reading series, or to be used as a textbook in schools; "real" books, not textbooks.
    • Basal reading series -- Reading or Language Arts textbooks which are arranged in a series, containing anthologies and/or actual literature.
  • Our Children's and Young Adult Literature section contains links to many useful web sites, including information on authors, and other recommended reading lists.
  • Our Digital Resource Subscriptions web page contains one literature database which can be viewed by genre.  It is Edmonton Public School's "Literature Arrangements."  On this web page, there is also another Edmonton Public School database called "Aboriginal Collection Online," which lists Aboriginal titles that are linked to the Alberta Curriculum topics for grades K-12.  This database cannot be searched by genre, but you will find books that fit into the different genres, and is especially strong in traditional literature.
  • Authors marked with a are Canadian.
  • Many authors write in more than one genre.
  • This title will provide you with good background information on literature genres, excellent authors and titles, and reading lists:
      CALL # 372.64 Kie
      TITLE Charlotte Huck's Children's literature / Barbara Z. Kiefer, with Susan Hepler, Janet Hickman  
      PUBLISHER Boston, Mass. ; Toronto : McGraw-Hill, c2007.

      CALL # 011.62 Don 2005 Ref.
      TITLE Literature for today's young adults / Kenneth Donelson, Alleen Pace Nilsen.
      PUBLISHER Boston ; Montreal : Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.

      CALL # 808.068 Hur
      TITLE Using literature in the middle school curriculum / Carol Otis Hurst.
      PUBLISHER Worthington, Ohio : Linworth Publishing, c1999.


  • What makes a good book?  While there are some specific questions to ask for each genre, below, these general questions are useful in evaluating many genres of books:
    • Does the book tell an interesting story? 
    • Is the story appropriate for the intended age range and does it appeal to them?
    • Is the book well-written?
    • What does the reader anticipate from the title and format of the book? 
    • Does the story have a theme?
    • Is the theme worth conveying to children?
    • Is the theme overtly moralistic? 
    • Is the plot well-constructed?
    • Is the plot original, fresh and believable?
    • Are the characters convincing and credible, and do they grow and change from their experiences? 
    • Is the dialogue natural and suited to the characters in the story?
    • If there are illustrations in the book, do they add significantly to the the text, and visa versa?
    • Does the story avoid sex, race, or other stereotypes?
    • Did the book provide for a pleasurable reading experience?
    • What have reviewers said about this title? 
    • Does the author know much about the location/time period/people/subject he/she is writing about? 
    • If applicable, are all the significant facts included and is the coverage of the subject well balanced?
    • Is the style of writing appropriate to the subject of the book?
    • For informational books, how accurate are the facts presented in the book?
    • For informational books, is the book well organized? Is there a table of contents, index, or bibliography?
Picture Books
  • Definition:  A book in which the picture is as important as the text.  This is a genre based on a physical format, so it can contain titles from many of the other genres.  It includes picture books, illustrated storybooks, wordless storybooks, concept books, and informational books.  In picture books, both text and illustration are fused together, to provide more than either can do alone (the whole is greater than the sum of the parts). Illustrated story books are different from picture books in that the text can stand alone and the illustrations are secondary to the text, yet complements the text. These books are generally up to 48 pages in length.
  • Authors/Illustrators to explore:  Paulette Bourgeois, Eric Carle, Babette Cole, Donald Crews, Sarah Ellis, Marie-Louise Gay, Phoebe Gilman, Georgia Graham, Lois Ehlert, Kevin Henkes, Tomson Highway, Hazel Hutchins, Teddy Jam, Ann Jonas, Ezra Jack Keats, Steven Kellogg, Michael Kusugak, Julie Lawson, Janet Lunn, David Pelham, Brian Pinkey, Barbara Reid, Marilynn Reynolds, Maurice Sendak, Chris van Allsburg,  Ian Wallace, Melanie Watt, David Wiesner,  Tim Wynne-Jones
  • Titles to explore:  "Graphic Alphabet" by David Pelletier, "If" by Sarah Perry
  • Library Catalogue subject headings:  picture books, stories without words, nursery rhymes, stories in rhyme, alphabet, counting


Poetry Books

  • Definition:  Poetry books can range from poetry that rhymes to free verse and concrete verse. It takes the sound of language and arranges it in beautiful forms. Each word is chosen carefully for its sound and its meaning. It appeals to both the thoughts and feelings of the reader.
  • Authors to explore:  Maya Angelou, David Booth, David Bouchard, Kalli Dakos,  Sheree Fitch, Paul Fleischman, Robert Frost, Mel Glenn, Mary Ann Holeman, Lee Bennett Hopkins, Paul B. Janeczko, Dennis Lee, Lois Lesynski, A.A. Milne, Naomi Shihab Nye, Jack Prelutsky, Shel Silverstein, Jane Yolen
  • Titles to explore: "In Flanders Fields" by Linda Granfield, "Joyful Noise : Poems for Two Voices" by Paul Fleischman, "Nothing Beats a Pizza" by Lois Lesynski
  • Library Catalogue subject headings:  Poetry, children's poetry, haiku, free verse, concrete poetry, visual poetry, narrative poetry, limericks, ballads


Traditional Literature

  • Definition:  This literature is born of oral tradition, and is passed orally from generation to generation.  It often has "retold by" or "adapted by" in front of the author, on the title page of the book.  It often starts with the phrase "Once upon a time..." and often has a happy ending. The story often includes patterns of 3 (3 characters, 3 tasks, 3 events, etc.). There are many versions of the same story. Good always conquers evil. Sub-genres of traditional literature include fairy tales, folk tales, Mother Goose rhymes, legends, myths, proverbs, epics, and fables.
  • Authors to explore:  Laszlo Gal, Marie-Louise Gay, Phoebe Gilman, Paul Goble, Steven Kellogg, Gail Carson Levine, Celia Lottridge, James Marshall, Tolowa Mollel, Martin Rafe, Jon Scieszka, C.J. Taylor, Jane Yolen, Ed Young, Paul Zelinsky
  • Titles to explore: "Hansel and Gretel" by Ian Wallace, "The Dragon's Pearl" by Julie Lawson, "Cinderella" by William Wegman, "Stone Soup" by Ann McGovern, "The Three Bears" by Paul Galdone
  • Library Catalogue subject headings:  fairy tales, folklore, legends, mythology, fables
"Fractured" Fairy Tales, Modern Fantasy (and Science Fiction)
  •  Definitions:  
      • "Fractured" Fairy Tales are traditional tales, told with a new "twist."
      • Modern fantasy is rooted in traditional literature, but has an identifiable author. Modern fantasy also includes modern fairy tales like those from Hans Christian Andersen. In general, modern fantasy stories involve magic, the "quest," and/or "good versus evil."  Fantasy creates an alternative universe, which operates on laws different than our own. Sub-genres of fantasy include animal fantasy, quest fantasy, machine fantasy, toy and doll fantasy, time fantasy, comic fantasy, high fantasy, and other world fantasy. High fantasy are complex stories characterized by recurring themes and often take place in created or imaginary worlds.
      • Science fiction speculates on what might happen in the future in our universe, so it has some basis in our reality. The books in this genre address themes of love, justice, truth, loyalty, goodness, courage, wisdom, etc. Sometimes the line between fantasy and science fiction is blurred, with elements of both genres in the story. 
  • Authors to explore:  Lloyd Alexander, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Orson Scott Card, Lewis Carroll, John Christopher, Susan Cooper, Roald Dahl, Peter Dickinson, Cornelia Funke, Alan Garner, Ursula Le Guin,
    Monica Hughes, Madeleine L'Engle, C.S. Lewis, Margaret Mahy, Anne McCaffrey, Robin McKinley,  Kenneth Oppel, Tamora Pierce, Philip Pullman, J.K. Rowling, Jon Scieszka, Richard Scrimger, William Sleator, Cora Taylor, J.R.R. Tolken
  • Titles to explore: "Tuck Everlasting" by Natalie Babbitt, "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White, "The Velveteen Rabbit" by Margery Williams, "Winnie the Pooh" by A.A. Milne, "The Giver" by Lois Lowry, "Ella Enchanted" by Gail Carson Levine 
  • Library Catalogue subject headings:  fantasy, magic fiction, science fiction


Contemporary Realistic Fiction

  • Definition:  Titles dealing with the problems and joys of living today.  There is often an element of character growth or self-realization in the book. Titles can promote tolerance and understanding of others and their experiences. It "extends children's horizons by broadening their interests, allowing them to experience new adventures and showing them different ways to view and deal with conflicts in their own lives" (Through the eyes of a child (2003), p. 363)
  • Authors to explore:  William Bell, Martha Brooks, Sigmund Brouwer, Betsy Byars, Matt Christopher, Beverly Cleary, Caroline B. Cooney, Sharon Creech, Chris Crutcher, Christopher Paul Curtis, Lois Duncan, Sarah Ellis, Jack Gantos,  Martyn Godfrey, Will Hobbs, Julie Johnston, Thomas King,
    Gordon Korman,  Jean Little, Lois Lowry, Roy MacGregor, Walter Dean Myers, Joan Lowery Nixon, Joyce Carol Oates, Gary Paulsen, Katherine Paterson, Louise Rennison, Cynthia Rylant, Arthur Slade, Theodore Taylor, Cynthia Voigt,  Eric Walters,  Eric Wilson, Tim Wynne-Jones
  • Titles to explore: "Shiloh" by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, "Bridge to Terabithia" by Katherine Paterson, "Holes" by Louis Sachar, "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson
  • Library Catalogue subject headings:  humorous stories, detective and mystery stories, school stories, adventure stories, survival stories, sports stories, animals fiction, various subjects + fiction (e.g. death fiction)


Historical Fiction and Biography

  • Definition:  Realistic fiction set in the past. Readers can gain an understanding of the past and relive past events vicariously. Biography includes biographical fiction, fictionalized biography, authentic biography and autobiography.
  • Authors to explore:  Lloyd Alexander, Avi, William Bell, Cathy Beveridge, Karen Cushman,   Brian Doyle,Deborah Ellis, Jean Fritz, Linda Granfield, Barbara Greenwood, Joy Kogawa, Iain Lawrence, Janet Lunn, Patricia MacLachlan, Carol Matas, Scott O'Dell, Katherine Paterson, Kit Pearson, Ann Rinaldi, Barbara Smucker,  Rosemary Sutcliff, Cora Taylor, Mildred Taylor, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Paul Yee, Laurence Yep 
  • Titles to explore: "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank, "Number the Stars" by Lois Lowry, "The Slave Dancer" by Paula Fox, "Little by Little" by Jean Little, "Hana's Suitcase" by Karen Levine, "Our Canadian Girl" (series), "Dear Canada" (series)
  • Library Catalogue subject headings:  Historical fiction, place + fiction, time + fiction, biography, individual's name, war stories


Informational Books

  • Definition: Informational books can also be called non-fiction books. Informational books must be accurate, authentic, up-to-date, factual, clearly organized, and include illustrations when needed. These books should avoid anthropomorphism, stereotypes and generalizations. Sub-genres include photo documentaries, narrative texts, how-to books, question and answer books, activity books, field guides/identification books, survey books, concept books and life-cycle books.
  • Authors to explore:  Isaac Asimov, Vivien Bowers, Hugh Brewster, Joanna Cole, Russell Freedman, Gail Gibbons, Linda Granfield, Barbara Greenwood, Steve Jenkins,  Bobbie Kalman, Kathleen Krull, David Macaulay, Elizabeth MacLeod, Frederick L. & Patricia C. McKissack, Milton Meltzer, Jim Murphy, Seymour Simon, Peter Sis, Diane Swanson, Shelley Tanaka, Larry Verstraete
  • Titles to explore: "Eyewitness books" (series), "Transformed: how everyday things are made" by Bill Slavin
  • Library Catalogue subject headings:  specific subject (animals, Canada history, etc.)

Contributors:  Margaret Rodermond, Bill Glaister, Barbara Huston ... August 2003. Updated July 2008.
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