Non-fiction:

All of the information in a non-fiction book is based on the known true facts.  Nothing can be made up.  Non-fiction books include how-to books, science books, history books, biographies, autobiographies and much more.  Non-fiction books can be about any subject.
Biography:

A biography is the story of a real person's life, written or told by another person.  Biographies may be located in a section of their own in some libraries and may be labeled B for biography or use the Dewy Decimal System Classification number of 92 and then are listed in alphabetical order by who the book is about.  Biographies of 2 or more people in the same book use the Dewey Classification number of 920.   Other libraries prefer to place biographies in the Dewey Decimal Classification according to the subject of what the person did -- for
example biographies of artists would be located in the art section, biographies of sports stars in the sports section.  Ask your librarian for help if you can't find the biographies in your library.
Autobiography:
An autobiography is the story of a real person's life, written or told by that person.  Autobiographies are found in the same place as the biographies in the library.  See biographies for the different places you might find autobiographies in your library and then check with your librarian if you can't find them in your library.

Fiction:

Fictional stories may be based on actual events or people or may be based entirely on the author's imagination, but fictional stories all contain elements that are made-up or created by the author.
Realistic Fiction:

Fictional stories that take place in modern time, right here and now.   The characters are involved in events that could really happen.
Mystery/Suspense:

Fictional stories, usually realistic,  about a mysterious event which is not explained or a crime that is not solved until the end of the story to keep the reader in suspense.
Fantasy:

Fiction that contains elements that are NOT realistic, such as talking animals, magical powers, etc.  Make-believe is what this genre is all about.
Science Fiction:

Stories which include futuristic technology; a blend of scientific fact and fictional elements.
Historical Fiction:

Stories which take place in a particular time period in the past.  Often the basic setting is real, but the characters are fictional.
Poetry:

Poetry is verse written to create a response of thought and feeling from the reader.  It often uses rhythm and rhyme to help convey its meaning.  Poetry collections are usually found in the non-fiction section of the library under the Dewey Decimal Classification  numbers 808 - 811. Occasionally a novel may be written in free verse form and is found in the fiction section of the library, or a picture book of a poem may be found in the easy section.  Check with your librarian.