A list of books to use when teaching text structure.

1. Text Structure Resources
compiled by Emily Kissner
The books on this list were put together as a resource for
teachers planning to teach about expository text structures.
Description
This text structure can also be called statement/support or main idea
and detail. An author begins by stating a main point, and then supports
that main point with details.
Graphic organizer: Web, Tree map
Sill, Cathryn. (2010). About Raptors. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree Publishing.
Amazon link
This book is part of a series that introduces readers to animals and
their characteristics. The books are written with main ideas and
supporting details. Very simple text, clear structure. Multiple books
in the series could be used for further instruction.
Wallace, Karen. (1993). Think of a Beaver. Boston, MA: Candlewick Press.
Amazon link
In this book, readers learn about the characteristics of the beaver.
Figurative language adds to the descriptive imagery, making it a fine
example of a picture book that shows the description text structure.
If this title is unavailable, look for the companion book Think of an
Eel. Note: Toward the end of the book, the structure changes to
chronological order as the growth of beaver kits is explained.
Chronological Order
Text that is written in chronological order shows how something
changes over time. Time order transitions such as next, then, later, and
finally are used.
Graphic organizer: Sequence chain
Compiled by Emily Kissner http://emilykissner.blogspot.com

2. Zecca, Katherine. (2007). A Puffin’s Year. Maine: Down East Books.
Amazon link
Readers find out about a puffin’s year in this beautifully illustrated
book. The text begins with the puffins’ arrival on the island, and
follows a pair as they lay their egg and raise the puffling.
McMillan, Bruce. (1993). Nights of the Pufflings. New York: Houghton-Mifflin.
Amazon link
A nice counterpart to A Puffin’s Year, this book tells the story of
pufflings and the Icelandic children who help them when they get lost
on their way to the sea. Photographs of children, puffins, and Iceland
accompany the text. A nice counterpart to A Puffin’s Year, this book
examines some of the same events in a different way. (Note: There is a
section of the text that is problem and solution at the end.)
Cherry, Lynne. (1997). Flute’s Journey. New York: Harcourt.
Amazon link
In this book, a wood thrush is followed from hatching to raising its own
young. The book tells how wood thrushes migrate to Central America,
and the dangers that they face. The text follows a very clear
chronological order pattern.
Other good chronological order texts:
Cherry, Lynne. A River Ran Wild.
“The Great Chicago Fire” from Toolkit Texts, 4/5
“Firefighting Through the Ages” from Toolkit Texts, 4/5
Himmelman, John. A House Spider’s Life.
Nelson, Vaunda. Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves,
U.S. Marshal. (In typical biography fashion, this text starts with an event from the
middle of the subject’s life, and then goes back to chronological order.)
Cause and Effect
Cause and effect text shows how one or more causes led to one or more
effects. Usually, the author explains the causes before the effects,
Compiled by Emily Kissner http://emilykissner.blogspot.com

3. although this is not always the case. Clue words such as cause, effect,
result, and therefore might be found, but are not always used, especially
in authentic text. Because causes precede effects, chronological order
clue words are also often present.
Graphic organizer: Flow map
Battan, Mary. (2003). Aliens from Earth: When Animals and Plants Invade
Other Ecosystems. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree Publishing.
Amazon link
This book explains how alien plants and animals affect ecosystems.
Each double page spread explains another case of an alien invader, and
the effects the exotic species had on the ecosystem.
Davies, Nicola. (2006). Extreme Animals. Boston, MA: Candlewick Press.
Amazon link
How can polar bears survive their freezing homes? How can wood frogs survive
being frozen? What animal is the toughest on earth? (You might be
surprised!) In this book, Nicola Davies explains how the adaptations of
animals help them survive extremes. This is an example of text where
the effect is stated before the causes.
Other good cause and effect texts
Siebert, Patricia. Toad Overload.
Washington Post article: Zoo Mystery
Johns, Chris, and Elizabeth Carney. Face to Face with Cheetahs.
(The Fast Cats section is organized as cause and effect.)
Stewart, Melissa. Deadliest Animals.
(This book includes cause and effect sentences as the author explains why various
animals are deadly.)
Problem and Solution
In problem and solution text, an author states a problem, and then
describes one or more solutions. The solution could be something that
has actually happened, or the author may be making suggestions for the
future. Problem and solution text often includes some elements of cause
and effect as the author explains what led to the problem or the effects
that the solution will have.
Graphic organizer: Flow map
Compiled by Emily Kissner http://emilykissner.blogspot.com

4. Stewart, Melissa. (2006). A Place for Butterflies. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree
Publishing.
Amazon link
This book uses two levels of text to explain how butterflies are affected
by habitat change, and how people have helped to restore their
habitats. The simpler text uses a cause and effect structure, explaining
how people’s actions have led to butterfly survival. The longer text
focuses on a particular species of butterfly and how people solved
problems related to the butterfly’s habitat.
Patent, Dorothy Hinshaw. (2008). When the Wolves Returned. New York:
Walker and Company.
Amazon link
The wolves of Yellowstone were all killed in the early part of the
1900s. How did this lead to problems in the ecosystem? The author of
this book explains how and why the wolves were killed, and then tells
how scientists reintroduced wolves to the park. This is a good example
of how cause and effect text fits well with problem and solution text.
Other problem and solution books
Stewart, Melissa. A Place for Birds.
Gerstein, Mordecai. Sparrow Jack.
Compare and Contrast
In the text structure of compare and contrast, an author shows how two
or more things are similar and different. Compare and contrast is
complicated by the fact that the text can be put together in multiple
ways. The author may use a clustered style, in which all of the details
about each topic are put together. Or the author may use an alternated
style, going point by point through the details. Sometimes, authors may
even combine the two methods.
Graphic organizer: Matrix, Venn diagram
Collard, Sneed. (2008). Teeth. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge.
Amazon link
This book uses a clustered method to describe how different animals
use their teeth. Different kinds of teeth are discussed, with details that
show how these different teeth help the animals to survive. Most of the
comparisons are implicit and left to the reader to piece together;
Compiled by Emily Kissner http://emilykissner.blogspot.com

5. however, this would work well with a comparison chart.
Bullard, Lisa. (2010). What’s the Difference Between An Alligator and A
Crocodile? Minnesota: Picture Window Books.
Amazon link
This book uses an alternated style to help a reader understand the
differences between an alligator and a crocodile. Diagrams and
supportive illustrations depict the main details to show how these
reptiles are similar and different. Look for other books in the series,
like What’s the Difference Between a Frog and a Toad?
Other compare and contrast texts
Carney, Elizabeth. Cats vs. Dogs.
Jenkins, Steve. Dogs and Cats.
Compiled by Emily Kissner http://emilykissner.blogspot.com