Publishers Weekly
If the Origami Yoda books hint that Angleberger is just a kid at heart, this madcap adventure seals the deal. Set in the town of Hairsprinkle, it stars seventh-grader Lenny Flem Jr., whose life is upended when his best friend, Casper Bengue, buys a fancy suit and an expensive fake mustache: the Heidelberg Handlebar #7. Soon after, billion-dollar robberies start occurring in Hair-sprinkle, and a mysterious man named Fako Mustacho is quickly becoming a local celebrity—one with major political aspirations. Lenny is sure Casper is behind it all, but with the population under the spell of Fako Mustacho’s fabulous mustache, it’s up to Lenny and TV star Jodie O’Rodeo (think Hannah Montana crossed with Sandy the squirrel from SpongeBob SquarePants) to save the day. And, naturally, a crisis caused by a fake mustache can only be fixed with gag items like a Nasal Gun and an Ultra-Sticky-Stretchy Grabber Hand. There’s no twist too goofy or absurd as Angle-berger pulls out all the stops for this unabashedly silly story. Ages 8–12. Agent: Caryn Wiseman, Andrea Brown Literary Agency. (May)
School Library Journal
Gr 3–6—Be prepared for a wacky romp as seventh-grader Casper Bengue uses a hypnotic, brainwashing fake mustache to try to take over the world. The town of Hairsprinkle, its mayor, and finally the United Sates fall under his spell. The only people standing between Casper (now called Fako Mustacho) and his path to world domination are his former friend Lenny and canceled preteen television star Jodie O'Rodeo. Angleberger keeps the action moving as Lenny and Jodie escape Fako's brainwashed goons in a novelty factory full of wigs, confetti, and enough fake snot to keep kids involved. Humorous full-page black-and-white art is scattered throughout. A quick, fun read and first purchase for libraries, especially where the author's "Origami Yoda" series (Abrams) is popular.—Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA
JANUARY 2013 - AudioFile
A rollicking adventure awaits young listeners. Delivered with youthful exuberance and well-placed emphasis on words and phrases, the happenings in the town of Hair Sprinkle take flight. Sharing the narrating duties, both Jonathan Ross and Jessica Almasy move deftly from character to character—from daring protagonists Lenny and Jodie to the evil Fako, as well as to politicians, villains, and ne’er-do-well strong men. Ross and Almasy infuse the characters with engaging and well-executed vocal characterizations. After daring rescues, dramatic scenes in toy factories, and a host of other exciting adventures, young listeners will be sad to say good-bye to Lenny, Jodie, Casper, and the people of Hair Sprinkle. J.K.R. © AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
Can one nerdy teen keep a tuft of fake lip-hair from realizing its dream of world domination? Seventh grader Lenny Flem Jr. leads a mild-mannered life hanging out with his best friend, Casper, and watching repeats of the now-cancelled Jodie O'Rodeo Showdeo with his parents and sisters (he will never admit that he likes it). Then Casper, whose hippie parents never buy anything unnecessary, gets a wad of cash from his grandmother, and he uses it to purchase a man-about-town suit and the very expensive Heidelberg Handlebar Number Seven (a real-hair fake mustache). Soon after, the robberies begin. Billions are stolen by, first, a gang of strolling accordion players and then a bunch of school librarians. Both groups are led by a mysterious, short suited man with a mustache. Then Fako Mustacho, businessman-about-town appears and holds the town of Hairsprinkle in his thrall. Only Lenny and the real Jodie O'Rodeo seem immune from his mesmeric spell, so it's up to them to stop Fako's grab for presidential power! Angleberger severs all ties with sanity in his latest farce for preteens with hilarious results. Narration is shared by Lenny, a nerdy everyman hero, and Jodie, a thinly disguised Hannah Montana. There's plenty of action and goofiness with very little room for explanations. Fans of Angleberger's previous efforts won't be disappointed. Total deadpan lunacy. (Fiction. 9-12)
