Neptune                                                                  5% of story
Stage 2 - Beginning Reader

I am Neptune, number eight in the planet parade. I am a very pretty blue color. I have storms on me, and people on Earth named one of my storms “The Scooter” because it is very fast and scoots around me.

Uranus                                                7% of story
Stage 2 - Beginning Reader

I am Uranus, the seventh planet from the sun. I am the coldest of all the planets, but I like it that way. I am also the only planet to go around the sun on my side. I think it is fun to do things my own way!

Mercury                                                                     9% of story
Stage 3 - Transitional Reader

I am Mercury, the first planet in the parade. I used to like my place, right next to the sun, but it gets hot here! Lately, I have been dreaming of a cooler, more relaxing spot to hang out.

Venus                                                                    8% of story
Stage 3 - Transitional Reader

I am Venus, the second planet from the sun. I know some of the planets are getting tired of the same old orbits, but I like it just fine where I am. It’s nice and bright up here as well as warm and cozy.

Pluto                                                                           15% of story
Stage 3 - Transitional Reader

I am Pluto, the very last in line. Things have been just terrible for me lately. The people of Earth say I’m no
longer a planet. They say Neptune is last in the solar system. So here I am, a nobody, out here in the cold darkness of space. If anyone needs a change, it’s me!

Mars                                                  10% of story
Stage 4 - Intermediate Reader

I am Mars and I am number four in the planet parade. I have to confess that I am a little bit jealous of Earth. We are so similar and both near enough to the sun. I often wonder what it would be like to have life living on me, but it might be too much for me to handle!

Jupiter                                            10% of story
Stage 4 - Intermediate Reader

I am Jupiter, the fifth planet from the sun. I am the first of the gas giants, and I am the biggest one of all. My diameter is more than 11 times larger than Earth’s! I have the most moons, and I have these awesome swirling colors and storms and a big red spot. I have so much going on that sometimes it almost seems like too much.

Earth                                                   11% of story
Stage 4 - Intermediate Reader

I am Earth, the third planet in line. Being the perfect distance from the sun, I can support life because it makes me just the right temperature. How could I possibly wish to be anywhere else? With all these interesting residents, I could never be bored!

Saturn                                  11% of story
Stage 4 - Intermediate Reader

I am Saturn and I am sixth in the planet parade. I’m special because I have these glorious shining rings that reflect the light of the sun. It is quite a sight! Lately I have started to wonder if I am getting enough attention. Do you think I would shine even brighter if I were closer to the center of the solar system?

Sun                                            14% of story
Stage 5 - Advanced Reader

Where should I start? Well, I am the sun of course. But everyone knows that. I am so marvelously brilliant you can’t even look at me directly. My intense heat and luminosity are not only dazzling and beyond fabulous, they’re what allow all the planets to even survive. I know rotating around me is their greatest joy, as it should be.