Top Book Genres for Kids of All Ages

Discovering different book genres opens up a world of possibilities, helping kids uncover new interests and dive into reading for fun! Whether it’s the intrigue of mystery or the excitement of adventure, exposure to different genres expands your child’s understanding of the variety of books available to explore. 

Introducing kids to new genres is a great way to guide their reading journey and makes finding new books much easier. For example, if your child understands that the Harry Potter series falls into the fantasy genre, they can seek out other fantasy books to enjoy.

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It also helps them identify and convey what kind of readers they are. When someone asks what type of books they like, they might respond with, “I enjoy reading historical fiction,” or “I prefer poetry.”

Here are 10 popular book genres to share with your reader — along with book suggestions for each.

Fiction

Fiction consists of made-up stories rooted in imagination. This category includes a variety of sub-genres within it, like fantasy, adventure, and mystery (read more about these below!). 

Fictional stories are a great way to broaden kids’ horizons, spark creativity, and feed their curiosity. Plus, fictional characters often serve as role models, inspiring confidence, bravery, empathy and kindness, and more. 

Shop popular fiction books below!

Fantasy

Transport readers to wondrous worlds and watch their imaginations soar! In fantasy books, you’ll find stories that take place in magical universes where mythical creatures come to life and whimsical adventures unfold on every page.

Plus, check out the most magical children’s fantasy books of the year.

Shop fantasy books below!

Action and Adventure

There’s nothing like an action-packed adventure to get kids hooked on reading. These stories are filled with thrilling escapades, daring heroes, and exciting quests that are sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Explore every book in the best-selling Dog Man series featuring the beloved crime-biting protagonist.

Dive into action and adventure books below!

Mystery

Mystery is a genre of stories that involve a secret or crime that needs to be solved, usually by the end of the story. 

Because kids need to pay close attention to details and follow cause and effect, mystery books can be a great way to boost comprehension and other literacy skills. That’s what also makes this genre incredibly entertaining for children — they hook a reader from the first book, and they’ll want to keep reading to find out what happens next.

Check out the best spy books and series for kids.

Shop mystery books below!

Historical Fiction

Historical fiction refers to books that take place in the past. These books often have plots inspired by real-life events, sharing a fictionalized account of major events and how they have shaped the world. As kids time-travel through the pages, these captivating stories will teach important lessons of the past and help readers understand the present.

Bring history to life with the thrilling I Survived series.

Discover historical fiction books below!

Comedy and Humor

Funny books are a great way to get kids of all ages excited about reading. In fact, the 7th Edition of the Scholastic Kids & Family Reading Report found that humor is a top trait kids look for in books. 

For younger readers, start with the hilarious books in the How Do Dinosaurs series. Meanwhile, older readers will love The Bad Guys, a graphic novel series about "bad guys" who want to be good. 

Shop comedy and humor books below.

Comic Books, Graphic Novels, and Manga

While technically a medium for storytelling, comics, graphic novels, and manga are a proven format to draw kids into reading. These books are packed with captivating visuals, descriptive narration, and compelling characters, keeping readers engaged from start to finish. Plus, the illustrations provide built-in context clues, which helps sharpen reading comprehension.

Early readers will love these beginner graphic novels (and they’re all under $10)! Plus, explore the best graphic novels for grades 3+.

Explore comic books, graphic novels, and manga books below!

Horror

Horror books are perfect for readers who enjoy a good scare and love the thrill of spooky stories. Witnessing characters conquer their fears will empower your own child to tackle their own, building their courage and resilience. 

Kids ages 6 to 8 will delight in the Eerie Elementary series, part of the Branches line of early chapter books. Introduce older readers to Goosebumps, the beloved classic thriller series where kids triumph over evil.

Browse scary children’s books below.

Nonfiction

Nonfiction books are fact-based stories covering a range of topics across science, history, and more. 

Whether your child is fascinated by animals, insects, or the environment, nonfiction books allow kids to take a deep dive into topics they love! Through their reading, they’ll be able to make real-life connections and expand their knowledge of the world around them.

Check out the Who Would Win? series about the fiercest creatures in the animal kingdom.

Discover more nonfiction books below!

Biography and Autobiography

Biographies are stories of someone’s life written by another person, while autobiographies are first-person accounts written by the individual themselves. These books are great for teaching kids about history through the lens of others.

Not only are they great for reading, but these books can also inspire self-discovery! Whether your child aspires to be an astronaut, a teacher, a firefighter, or a ballerina, reading about the lives and achievements of others can spark their passion and help them pursue their own goals. 

Explore biographies and autobiographies below.