NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER | USA TODAY BESTSELLER | PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BESTSELLER | 2025 CHILDREN'S BOOK COUNCIL MIDDLE-GRADE FAVORITE

After accidentally injuring his neighbor, Matt Sprouts thinks he has 'the Curse,” a hometown myth that ruins middle schoolers’ lives. Matt decides to solve the mystery and break the Curse ... without breaking any more toes.

'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 

'This is the kind of book that makes a kid stay up past their bedtime, reading with a flashlight under the blanket.” – Nina Hamza, bestselling author of Ahmed Azis's Epic Year 

'Do you remember the worst summer you’ve ever had? Well, Matt Sprouts has you beat. He’s dodging wild coaches, terrible teachers, and a hometown curse in this zany tale that’s more fun than you could wiggle a broken toe at! This book had me flexing my toes in gratitude every fifteen pages, and it is still one of the funniest books I’ve read in a while, no bones about it!' - Terrance Crawford, bestselling author of the Piggy series

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?!

The first book in a lively, relatable new series perfect for older elementary school students and reluctant readers, from the brain of middle school teacher and Instagram phenomenon Matt Eicheldinger.