TASK DEFINITION: You will be given a trivia clue, and the category it belongs to. You should answer with the best answer that belongs in the category and is described by the clue. For simplicity, answers should be in all lower cased letters.
PROBLEM: Category: HISTORIC NOVELS 
Clue: In a 2002 novel this author of the "North and South" trilogy told the history of "Charleston"

SOLUTION: jakes

PROBLEM: Category: AT RANDOM 
Clue: A cross between tennis & ping-pong, this sport was named for a dog, not a gherkin

SOLUTION: pickle ball

PROBLEM: Category: SORTA RHYMES WITH PURPLE? 
Clue: Not an army officer, but an individual grain of a cereal grass like corn

SOLUTION:
kernel