For Briana Avery and Evelyn and our future adventures together
LEMONS My dad always says that when life gives you lemons you're supposed to make lemonade But what about when life gives you ten broken toes then what do you do Have an answer I didn't think so If you'd told me that one year I'd be using my toes to keep track of how many bad things happened to me I would have laughed in your face No I would have pointed and laughed at your face Or maybe I would've just ignored you because I thought you were confused or something It came true though the toe thing It all came true The Curse took more from me in one school year than anyone anyone could have thought My little brother blames me for what happened but there is only one logical force to blame the Curse Consider yourself lucky I am going to tell you my story and if you take notes you might be able to avoid the
8 MATT SPROUTS AND THE CURSE OF THE TEN BROKEN TOES misfortune I suffered last year Seriously Take out your notepad sharpen a pencil Get ready to learn I suppose though before I go any further I should introduce introduce myself My name is Matt Sprouts and I'm the Cursed Kid
CHAPTER 1 KARATE MOVES Montrose Colorado that's where I'm from If you are driving past it and blink you might miss it It sits in a valley surrounded by the San Juan Mountains so everywhere you look you see a snowcapped ridge or peak My house has the best view too It's in a neighborhood just outside of town that sits on a hill above the Uncompahgre River Tall aspen trees grow faster than the grass out there and sometimes I forget I live next to anyone It's a perfect place to grow up and I wouldn't trade it for anything anything Well maybe ten fewer broken toes This is where the story begins during the summer before sixth grade June 1 to be exact the day after my eleventh birthday I set my alarm for 7:45 a.m. It gave me just enough time to pour a bowl of peanut butter cluster cereal and snuggle snuggle into our flower-covered green couch This was my alone time My time to watch and study ninjas during morning cartoons and brush up on my martial arts skills
