This sequel to "Matt Sprouts and the Curse of the Ten Broken Toes" lives up to all the hilarity and hijinks of the first book. You would think Matt's life would return to normal after beating the curse the previous summer, but agreeing to "goat-sit" Nora for Farmer Jed gives him another summer of unusual adventures. Besides goat-sitting, there's an adventure at his dad's work, an unexpected introduction to the cross-country team, science fair prep with his girlfriend, Grace, and the unusual kid in the woods.

As a middle grades Reading teacher, I can see my sports-loving fifth and sixth graders loving this one just as much as Book 1 -- if they don't get grossed out like Matt's little brother by his affectionate (and mostly age-appropriate) relationship with Grace. His running skill might border on unbelievable, but I loved his description of the runner's high -- a great explanation why many of us were "crazy" enough to try cross-country.

I will happily add this to my classroom library -- and can't wait for Book 3!

Matt Sprouts is up to his usual self which means he’s having a fantastic summer filled with unexpected shenanigans thanks to friends Eric and Jenna, girlfriend Grace, and brother Elliot. The addition of a summer job, the threat of Jason, potential friend and wild child BJ, soccer, science fair, and of course Nora, creates a likeable and relatable crew to hang out with.

Matt’s adventures step into high gear (with all toes intact) with the introduction of Nora. I have to say, I really like Nora. She’s creative, intelligent, a little bit crazy and all goat. I strongly believe that goats are secret ninja escape artists who can climb and get into and out of everything. My sister has goats and the stories she tells about them certainly confirms this. Which made Matt Sprouts’ adventures with Nora that much better and all the more amusing to me.

A light, entertaining read that’s filled with all good things and lessons about how to be a better person and friend, this is a perfect #middlegraderead that will have kids and adults giggling along with Sprouts’ mishaps.

Matt Eicheldinger just gets it - the angst and anxiety of feeling all eyes on you, rash decisions being made, the feelings of overwhelm and pressure, and the goofy things we all do that get us all tangled up inside. He gets the big emotions and the little and explains them in ways that kids and adults alike nod their heads emphatically as if to say, “Yes; that is exactly how those pressures, feelings, angst, guilt, hurt… feels like.”

I was able to read an advance ebook of #mattsproutsandthedaynoraatethesun thanks to @netgalley and @andrewsmcmeelkids I preordered a physical copy which will be arriving shortly after pub day, September 3, 2024. I can’t wait!

#bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookgeek #booknerd #mattsprouts #thedaynoraatethesun #norathegoat #matteicheldinger #fyp @matteicheldinger #andrewsmcmeelpublishing #kidsbooks #middlegradebooks #middlegradefiction #funnykidsbooks #mickeymouse #mickeymouselego #mickeymousebackpack #whatsinyourbackpack

Matt Sprouts and the Day Nora Ate the Sun is a delightful and imaginative adventure filled with humor and charm. The characters, especially Matt, are endearing, and the plot is engaging with plenty of twists. While the story could have benefited from more development in parts, it’s still a fantastic read that will leave a smile on your face. Highly recommended for young readers and anyone who loves whimsical tales. I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This charming book was absolutely hilarious and a cute, madcap read! Were my students just a little bit younger, I would love to purchase this series and add it to my classroom library. I think a lot of kiddos would relate to Matt - he is absolutely unlucky, misfourtune seeming to follow his each step, and he's struggling with taking on new responsibilities - and much like kiddos his age, many of his problems are created by himself. This book has so many lessons for youngins to learn, while also laughing along the way.

The second volume in the Matt Sprouts series, Eicheldinger once again revisits the world of the one of the unluckiest kids and his friends. We find Matt whole and all toes unbroken, but facing the summer where his dad wants him to “build some character” (yes, we have all been here with our parents). His dad’s solution? Wake up wwwwaaaayyyyy too early and come with him to his job, mow the grass, etc. Obviously, as any good teenager would react, Matt is not happy with this plan. On top of this, on the very first day things go wrong with the most important machine at his dad’s work, thanks to Matt. Lucky for him (but not really because this is Matt and he blows everything out of proportion) the tattooed Jason covers for him with his dad and gets into trouble, even though Matt tries to admit to it.
Obviously, this is not working, and ever-lucky Matt has an awesome neighbor in Farmer Jed that offers the easiest job in the world for summer, babysitting (kidsitting?, goatsitting?) his goat named Nora. What could be easier than looking after a goat, right?
Well, as Matt and the returning cast of girlfriend Grace, brother Elliot, friend Eric and a mysterious troublemaker named B.J., the crazy-eyed Nora will test Matt’s patience and create mayhem all the while Matt is dealing Grace’s Science Fair Project, soccer practice, Cross County conditioning and avoiding Jason. Just another restful time for Matt.
Eicheldinger’s latest is another fun, light mystery with the best character I have read recently. And no, I do not mean Matt. Nora will entertain, delight and teach some lessons along the way. If you have ever had a chance to be around farm animals, and especially goats, you will understand the issues Matt has with her and smile over memories of similar mysterious problems (except maybe her ending up on the roof of the house somehow…that one is still a mind boggler). Just one note for some, if you get embarrassed because of what characters are doing, do not read this book. Too often, you are yelling at Matt and trying to tell him to not do this or that as he creates more of his own problems. But, this leads to great lessons of humanity that Matt learns.
If you read the first book and enjoyed it, pick this up. If you did not, you can still read this one without having read the first as the author provides enough information to be a stand-alone. A fun and laugh read with cure pictures along the way of the characters, dive in as a light read to see what trouble Matt and Nora get into together.

Matt Sprouts and the Day Nora Ate the Sun by Matthew Eicheldinger was a cute read with my kiddo.

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book has convinced me that I really need to follow my dream and adopt my own goat. This middle school story is hilarious. Matt is having another adventure, and this time he has to watch a goat. There are mysteries, wild adventures, hilarity, and a science fair. The kids are likeable and I want to see them in more adventures. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

Hilarious and hits the spot for middle graders. Although I hadn’t read the first book I found it ok to read standalone.

I read this to my son over the course of a few evenings as part of our bedtime routine. He loved it and kept asking for one more chapter.

I reviewed Matt Sprouts and the Day Nora Ate the Sun by Matthew Eicheldinger as part of e-ARC via NetGalley.

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