Authors and Their Genres Trivia Quiz

Answer: Books About Horses

Will James was a Canadian-born cowboy who learned his wrangling skills on a ranch in southwest Saskatchewan. He also lived and worked on ranches in Montana and Nevada. He wrote and illustrated books about cowboys and their horses. His most well-known book is "Smoky the Cowhorse".

Answer: Books About Horses

Mary O'Hara wrote about horses and life on a Wyoming ranch. Her book "My Friend Flicka" was made into a movie and a television series.

Answer: Books About Horses

English writer Anna Sewell addressed the inhumane treatment of carriage horses in "Black Beauty", published in 1877. Although intended for an adult audience, it became a much loved children's book.

Answer: Books About Horses

Famous writer Marguerite Henry wrote many children's books about horses, the best known of which is "Misty of Chincoteague". An interesting side note: Wesley Dennis, who illustrated her books, wrote and illustrated a set of horse books about a colt named Flip who had adventures growing up.

Answer: Humor

Patrick McManus advanced from writing magazine articles to books about his outdoor adventures as a child and an adult. He humorously relates camping and fishing incidents in the books "They Shoot Canoes, Don't They", "The Grasshopper Trap", and "A Fine and Pleasant Misery".

He assigns comical names to the characters: his dog named Strange; a neighbor known as Rancid Crabtree; and his sister, the Troll.

Answer: Humor

Carl Hiaasen began his career as a candid opinion columnist for "The Miami Herald", earning the enmity of many Florida politicians. He became a successful writer of books satirizing many fictional cultural, religious, and political figures. Among the books for an adult audience are "Skinny Dip" and "Strip Tease". He has also published a series of books for young adults.

Answer: Humor

Ohioan Erma Bombeck first demonstrated her writing chops in newspaper columns, regaling audiences with humorous anecdotes about marriage, housekeeping, and raising children. Her published books include "The Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank" and "If Life is a Bowl of Cherries, What am I Doing in the Pits?"

Answer: Humor

Dorothy Parker's wry humor emerges in poetry, satirical pieces, theater critiques, and screenwriting. She was nominated for two Oscars in the latter category but was ultimately Hollywood blacklisted for her left-wing political activities. An often-quoted verse she penned is, "Men seldom make passes at girls who wear glasses".

Answer: Mystery

Southwestern Native American culture is featured in Tony Hillerman's series of mysteries starring Navajo Nation policemen Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. Works include "The Blessing Way", "Listening Woman", and "Skinwalkers".

Answer: Mystery

Prolific author James Lee Burke has penned over 20 novels featuring southern Louisiana detective Dave Robicheaux and his volatile sidekick Clete. Titles include "Purple Cane Road" and "Black Cherry Blues". A number of his books were made into movies, most notably "In the Electric Mist with Confederate Dead", starring Tommy Lee Jones as Robicheaux. Burke's daughter Alafair is also a crime novelist.

Answer: Mystery

Born in the US, author Tana French now lives in Dublin and writes books set in Ireland. She authored a series featuring police detectives called the Dublin Murder Squad, which have been brought to the television screen. She has also written a number of stand-alone novels.

Answer: Mystery

Harlan Coben has published a host of mystery novels, many of which have been made into movies. Most are individual novels, but he has also developed a series featuring sports agent Myron Bolitar. Coben was the first author to receive the trifecta of mystery writer awards, the Edgar, Shamus, and Anthony Awards.

Answer: Historical Fiction

Allan Eckert's meticulously researched historical novels feature American trailblazers interacting with Native Americans. His particular interest and expertise are focused on the Shawnee tribes of the Northwest Territory of Ohio and Indiana. Titles include "The Frontiersmen" and "A Sorrow in Our Heart: The Life of Tecumseh".

Answer: Historical Fiction

James Michener has authored historical tomes that highlight nations and US states, towns, and geographical areas. Some of his many works are "Poland", "Mexico", "Alaska", "Hawaii", "Chesapeake", and "Centennial". The latter concerns the settlement of an area of Colorado and was made into a much-viewed television series.

Answer: Historical Fiction

American history is the focus of John Jakes' books. His fictional characters provide historical insight into the growing pains of the United States. His 8-volume series "The Kent Family Chronicles" relates the story of a young man who immigrates to America to begin a new life. Jakes also wrote a trilogy of the American Civil War, featuring two families on opposite sides in the conflict.

Answer: Historical Fiction

Author Leon Uris has written epic novels on diverse historical periods. "Exodus" chronicles the settlement and subsequent nationhood of the State of Israel. "Mila 18" relates details of the Warsaw ghetto uprising in 1944. Irish history is the focus of "Trinity".