by Quinn Douglas

illustrated by Trevor Pye

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ISBN 10: 0-15-351419-1

ISBN 13: 978-0-15-351419-7

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ISBN 13: 978-0-15-358054-3 (package of 5)

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 050 15 14 13 12 11 10 09 08 07 06
 My name is Dion, and I’m in the
second grade at Pitchford School.
Three weeks ago, I was sitting at my
desk listening to our teacher describe
this year’s class play.
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 “Now, children, everyone needs
to participate,” I heard Ms. Lopez
announce. “The class play is a good
way for you to display your talents.
You can act, sing and dance, and
play music.”
I began to worry. I didn’t want to
act, sing, dance, or play any music—
not in front of an audience!
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 After school that day, Mom said,
“You look a little worried, Dion. Is
something the matter?”
5
 I told my mom about the play,
and she understood my problem.
“Perhaps there is something else you
can do for the play,” she said.
Then she asked the question,
“What’s the play about?”
6
 Mom listened as I told her the
story. She and I both laughed at the
funny things that happen when a
spaceship lands on Earth.
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 “I have an idea,” said Mom.
She led me to my room.
“Look at all your paintings,” Mom
said, as she pointed to my walls. “You
can do something for the play! You’re
good at painting, so maybe you can
paint the scenery.”
8
 I thought for a minute. Soon
I had a picture in my mind of what
I would do. I was so excited!
9

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 The next day, I couldn’t wait to
get to school to tell Ms. Lopez that
I would like to draw and paint the
scenery for the play.
“What a wonderful idea, Dion,”
she replied. “We need scenery. I’m
sure that you will do a great job!”
10

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 Now here I am watching the play
from the side of the stage. I’m so
pleased with all the work that I’ve
done. Ms. Lopez bought me some
silver paint especially for painting
the spaceship. The stage looks great!
11
 The play is awesome, and it’s over
too quickly. As I walk away backstage,
I hear the audience clapping. Then
Ms. Lopez comes up to me and says,
“On stage, Dion!”
12
 Now I feel shy again. I stand still
for just a minute, but then I take a
deep breath and follow Ms. Lopez
onto the stage. She points to the
scenery, and the audience claps and
cheers loudly.
13
 Suddenly, I am not shy anymore.
I bow and look down at Mom smiling
and clapping in the audience. I am
happy knowing that she is proud of
me. I feel proud, too.
14
 Think Critically
1. What was Mom’s solution when Dion was worried
about being in the play?

2. How did Dion feel before and after he had spoken

to Mom?

3. When Dion was on stage and Ms. Lopez pointed to

the scenery, what did the audience do?

4. Why do you think the author wrote this story?

5. Do you think you would have enjoyed the play?
Why or why not?

Visual Ar ts
Draw Scener y The play at Dion’s school was about space.
Draw a picture showing what scenery you would make for a play
about space.

School-Home Connection Share On Stage! with

a family member. Talk about things you are good
at doing.

Word Count: 415

15

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