Spooked! : how a radio broadcast and the war of the worlds sparked the 1938 invasion of America

Title:

Author:

Summary:

Describes the panic induced when listeners believed Orson Welles' radio broadcast of "The War of the Worlds" to be news of an alien invasion, discussing the context in which the broadcast was aired and why it was so convincing.

Edition:

First edition.

Contents:

Haunted on Halloween Eve -- Mercury rises -- Taking to the air -- Blood-red planet -- Plotting the invasion -- The final day -- The attack -- Panic -- "Wreckage" -- It's all over -- Extra! Extra! Read all about it! -- Dear Mr. Welles -- Fallout -- Dear FCC -- "Too darn realistic" -- Soft landing.

Physical Description:

139 pages : illustrations (some color) ; 26 cm

Title Subject:

War of the worlds (Radio program) -- Juvenile literature.

Subject Term:

Science fiction radio programs -- Juvenile literature.

Radio broadcasting -- History -- 20th century -- Juvenile literature.

Hoaxes in mass media -- Juvenile literature.

Publisher:

Calkins Creek, an imprint of Highlights,

Publication Date:

2018

ISBN:

9781629797762

Publication Information:

Honesdale, Pennsylvania : Calkins Creek, an imprint of Highlights, [2018]

Call Number:

J 791.44 JARROW

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607003360768	Juvenile Nonfiction	791.44 JARROW	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

A Washington Post Best Children's Book

This book for young readers explores in riveting detail the false panic created by the famous War of the Worlds radio broadcast from 1938-as well as the repercussions of "fake news" today.

On the night of October 30, 1938, thousands of Americans panicked when they believed that Martians had invaded Earth. What appeared to be breaking news about an alien invasion was in fact a radio drama based on H. G. Wells's War of the Worlds , performed by Orson Welles and his Mercury Theatre players. Some listeners became angry once they realized they had been tricked, and the reaction to the broadcast sparked a national discussion about fake news, propaganda, and the role of radio. In this compelling nonfiction chapter book, Gail Jarrow explores the production of the broadcast, the aftermath, and the concept of "fake news" in the media.

Author Notes

GailJarrow's books have earned many awards, including theYALSAAward forExcellencein Nonfiction for Young Adults,a SibertHonor,OrbisPictusHonor,YALSAAward for Excellence in Nonfiction finalist, a Notable Social Studies Trade Book,NSTAOutstanding Science Trade Book and Best STEM book, The Jefferson Cup Award, a Eureka! Gold Award, as well asKirkusReviews and School Library Journal Best Books andVOYAHonor Book distinctions. She lives in Ithaca, New York.Visitgailjarrow.com.

Reviews (2)

School Library Journal Review

Gr 7 Up-With a succinct and engaging story, Jarrow informs readers about the 1938 The War of the Worlds broadcast and why it became so famous. Opening on Halloween Eve, with details about the geopolitical tensions and the growing influence of radio, Jarrow contextualizes the climate in which the program aired. By using short chapters, varied font sizes, quotes, photographs, and illustrations from the source material-H.G. Wells's novel-she keeps readers involved in the fact-packed story. The chapter on the live broadcast is masterfully written in a style similar to an annotated transcript, with unobtrusive interjections that reveal clues for listeners that the radio show is a fictional narrative. The unvarnished profiles of the major contributors to the production humanize them, and it is illuminating to see the efforts of the team, which included two women. Jarrow effectively uses full-page spreads with excerpts of letters written to the Federal Communications Commission and Orson Welles that communicate the divided reactions to the broadcast. A discussion of the show's legacy, journalism, and noted hoaxes allows readers to evaluate current events in light of this notorious event. Jarrow concludes with a well-organized list of online resources. VERDICT A skillfully written title that deserves space in middle and high school libraries.-Hilary Writt, Sullivan University, Lexington, KY © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Publisher's Weekly Review

Jarrow (Bubonic Panic) sets the stage perfectly in this detailed, illuminating exploration of why ordinary Americans panicked when they heard a broadcast of New Jersey being invaded by Martians on Oct. 30, 1938. Under the direction of 23-year-old Orson Welles, a CBS radio enactment of H.G. Wells's The War of the Worlds shifted the story's timing to the near future and its placement to real New York-area locations. Artfully employed time-warping dramatic techniques made the story appear to be a live event-complete with faked reassurance from Franklin D. Roose-velt-and listeners across the country fell for the Halloween Eve prank. While the production launched Welles's Hollywood career, popular reactions ranged from outrage to headshaking at people's gullibility. Jarrow's engrossing analysis of an earlier era's "fake news" provides timely reminders to readers, which are underscored in her author's note. An extensive "More to Explore" section, illustrations from a 1906 edition of Wells's novel, period photos, timeline, source notes, and a bibliography round out this handsome volume. Ages 10-14. (Aug.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.