NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER | USA TODAY BESTSELLER | PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BESTSELLER | 2025 CHILDREN’S BOOK COUNCIL MIDDLE-GRADE FAVORITE
“Funny, heartwarming, and impossible to put down, this book is a must-read for anyone trying to survive the perils of middle school.” – Dustin Brady, bestselling author of Trapped in a Video Game, World’s Worst Time Machine, the Leila and Nugget Mysteries, and Escape from a Video Game
“Matt Sprouts is the next star of middle-grade comedy! Matt Eicheldinger expertly draws from his life to create this heart-warming and fun illustrated series.” – Jarrett Krososzka, New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award Finalist
Eleven-year-old Matt Sprouts is in big trouble. He didn’t mean to hurt Jenna with that awesome martial arts move—it just happened! Blame it on morning cartoons or Jenna’s lack of coordination. Anyway, getting grounded is the worst thing that could happen, right?
Wrong.
After the incident spirals into a series of downright unfortunate events, Matt decides to take matters into his own hands and break “the Curse”—and FAST! But that’s not easy to do when you’re entering sixth grade, keeping track of your little brother, trying to defeat the best soccer team, and. . . c’mon, can Matt’s toes stop breaking, PLEASE?!
Join Matt Sprouts as he tries to make amends and stay out of more trouble!
Matt Eicheldinger wasn't always a writer. He spent most of his childhood playing soccer, reading comics, and trying his best to stay out of trouble. Little did he know those moments would ultimately help craft the first book in his debut novel series, Matt Sprouts and the Curse of Ten Broken Toes. Matt lives in Bloomington, Minnesota with his wife and two children, and tries to create new adventures with them whenever possible. When he's not writing, you can find him telling students stories in the classroom or trail running along the Minnesota River Bottoms.