Genre Study:
Mystery fiction texts are a genre of fiction that typically
focuses the plot of the story and the actions of the characters on the
investigation of a crime or investigation of a puzzle. Mystery fiction can also
be referred to as detective fiction or crime fiction because the novel or story
involves a character that is either a professional detective or behaves like an
investigator or detective in order to solve a puzzle or crime. The emphasis of
most mystery fiction stories is on a puzzle or suspense element in which the
characters experience successes and failures in the process of discovering the
solution or cracking a code. Readers are able to engage in the suspenseful
actions of the plot by thinking about the mystery and investigation and trying
to discover the solutions along with the characters of the text. Sometimes
mystery fiction texts include a supernatural or thriller mystery where the
solution does not seem logical and may not involve a crime. Throughout the plot
of most mystery fiction novels, the characters are required to use clues,
codes, puzzles, and wit to solve a problem or a crime. Mysteries have the
ability to get reluctant readers and writers enthusiastic about reading,
thinking, and writing, because they keep the audience engaged and suspended in
the action and components of the text.
Selected Titles:
Stanley,
G. E., & Murdocca, S. (2000). Third grade detectives: The clue of the
left-handed envelope. New York, NY: Aladdin Paperbacks.
This text has a Lexile level of
370L and a grade level measure of 1st grade to 4th grade.
Students who read this text will be engaged in the content because it provides
visuals for the clues that the characters are trying to solve so the readers
can solve the mystery along with the characters. Readers will want to continue
reading so they can find out if they are able to solve the mystery before the
solution is revealed in the text. Because this is the first book of a short
series of third grade detective books, the students who enjoy reading the text
will be motivated to continue reading the other books in the series. The end of
each chapter is a cliffhanger that keeps readers wanting to continue to read
and not put down the book. This book would be great to use as a whole class
read aloud because the teacher can get the students involved in the mystery and
then after finishing the book the students will want to continue reading the
next books in the series.
Riordan, R. (2008). The maze of bones. New York:
Scholastic.
This book is a very intriguing and
engaging read and it keeps readers not wanting to put it down because they will
want to continue to find more clues with the characters. The end of this book
makes readers want to continue to read the next books in the series because it
ends with the characters still searching for the next clue of the challenge. This
is a fictional text that incorporates informational aspects into the book to
provide the reader with action, adventure, mystery, and information. Students
can relate to the characters in the novel because they are a 14-year-old girl
and an 11-year-old boy. Students will also be engaged in the text because it
incorporates a chance for them to go online and discover more about the clues
and challenges so they can be investigators and detectives just like how Dan
and Amy are in the book.
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