Curling Crunch

By Jake Maddox and Katie Wood

Maisie loves pitching for her softball team in Arizona, so she’s crushed when she has to move to Minnesota to live with her dad. Upset about the move and her parents’ divorce, Maisie isn’t thrilled when her dad asks her to join his curling team. She thinks it’s a strange sport. But as she learns more about curling—and how much her dad loves it—she begins to have a change of heart. But when its crunch time for the team, will Maisie be able to take charge and lead? Find out in this exciting, easy-to-read chapter book by Jake Maddox!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Capstone Young Readers
• Release date: Jan 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9781669007036

Jake Maddox

Who is Jake Maddox? Athlete, author, world-traveler – or all three? He has surfed in Hawaii, scuba-dived in Australia, and climbed the mountains of Peru and Alaska. His books range from the most popular team sports to outdoor activities to survival adventures and even to auto racing. His exploits have inspired numerous writers to walk in his footsteps – literally! Each of his stories is stamped with teamwork, fair play, and a strong sense of self-worth and discipline. Always a team-player, Maddox realizes it takes more than one man (or woman) to create a book good enough for a young reader. He hopes the lessons learned on the court, field, or arena and the champion sprinter pace of his books can motivate kids to become better athletes and lifelong readers.

Book preview

Jake Maddox Girl Sports Stories: Curling Crunch by Emma Carlson Berne, Illustrated by Katie Wood

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover

Title Page

Chapter 1: Ballplayer

Chapter 2: Goodbye, Arizona

Chapter 3: Hello, Minnesota

Chapter 4: The Albans Youth Curling Club

Chapter 5: A Big Kick

Chapter 6: All Curling

Chapter 7: Nighttime Ice

Chapter 8: We’re Not Forfeiting!

Chapter 9: Home for Good

About the Author

About the Illustrator

Glossary

Discussion Questions

Writing Prompts

More about Curling

Explore More

Copyright

Back Cover

Cover

Title Page

Table of Contents

Start of Content

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back cover

CHAPTER 1

BALLPLAYER

The softball fit perfectly in Maisie’s hand. It always did. The feeling of the leather and laces against her palm was the best feeling in the world.

Maisie smacked the ball into her glove and eyed the batter. The girl looked nervous.

She should, Maisie thought.

Maisie breathed deeply, just like she always did before a pitch. Just one more strike, and then we’ll be up to bat, she thought to herself. She swung her arm for the windup.

Her muscles felt strong. When the ball left her hand, she could tell it would be a strike. There’s just something about that magic when all the parts fit together for a perfect pitch.

The batter swung and missed.

Strike! the ump called.

Yeah, girl! June shouted as she ran over from second base. Maisie gave her best friend a high five and jogged to the dugout.

Excellent pitching, Maisie, Coach Klein said, looking up from her clipboard. You’re batting first.