Contents
Cover
Piper’s First Away Bonspiel
Mary Deuhs
Title page
Piper’s First Away Bonspiel
Mary Deuhs
Copyright
© 2026 Mary Deuhs. Curling clubs, schools, and families may download, print, and share these free books for noncommercial educational use. Not for resale.
This is a work of fiction.
Dedication
For every junior curler with a dream.
Page 1
Piper had packed for her first away bonspiel.
We leave tomorrow.
I know. I’m late.
Page 2
A bonspiel was a curling tournament. An away bonspiel meant a whole weekend with her team.
Are we nearly there?
We’ve passed two mailboxes.
Page 3
New ice. New people. A whole new place to curl.
I want to do everything.
We should probably go inside first.
Page 4
Piper was the fifth player on her all-girls team. Four played at a time.
Bea starts tonight. Piper, you’re in tomorrow.
Ready.
Page 5
That night, Piper watched her teammates learn the unfamiliar ice.
That side curls more.
Good eyes.
Page 6
One game finished. There were more tomorrow.
Good start, everyone.
More curling? Excellent.
Page 7
Upstairs, the club smelled like soup and warm bread.
There’s a whole other bonspiel up here!
Page 8
At the hotel, the team meeting continued.
Best shot of the night?
Best snack of the night?
Page 9
They talked about shots. School. Snacks. Everything.
Okay. Last story.
It was not the last story.
Page 10
Morning comes early, curlers.
I’m not even tired.
Morning disagreed.
Page 11
Their suite had a little kitchen. Dad helped Piper make breakfast.
Pancakes for the team!
Cook first. Celebrate after.
Page 12
What shape is that one?
A very difficult shot.
They ate every pancake.
Page 13
Saturday morning, Piper took her turn at lead. Bea watched from the bench.
I’ve got the cheering.
I’ve got this.
Page 14
Her first draw slid too far. Her next shot missed its line.
Oh, come on.
Page 15
Piper knew how to play. Today, knowing and doing felt very far apart.
That was awful.
Come sit with us.
Page 16
Nobody asked her to earn her chair.
I wanted to play so much better.
I know. Eat something. Rest a little.
Page 17
There were games. And waiting. And warming up again.
Bonspiels are…
Long?
Extremely long.
Page 18
A grown-up team had just lost. Piper waited for the grumbling.
Did you see my last shot?
We all did!
They laughed until someone snorted.
Page 19
You lost. You’re still having fun?
I wish we’d won. I’m still glad we came.
Page 20
A visiting curler’s broom broke. Nia had a spare.
But we play you next.
You’ll need a broom, then.
Page 21
Piper rested. Ate. Played again. Some shots worked. Some didn’t.
Good game.
See you upstairs?
Page 22
They packed the bags and returned the borrowed things.
Remember that pancake?
That pancake had potential.
Page 23
On the way home, Piper remembered the late-night laughing. The pancakes. The people who made room.
The scores were already getting fuzzy.
Page 24
Want to do another one?
When?
Back cover
Piper has packed her broom, her pajamas, and enough excitement for the whole team.
But her first away bonspiel has a few surprises: a very late bedtime, a very long weekend, and a very important pancake.
A story about curling, belonging, and the best parts of being on a team.
Mary Deuhs