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Spooked!: How a Radio Broadcast and The War of the Worlds Sparked the 1938 Invasion of America Hardcover – Illustrated, August 7, 2018
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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.
- Reading age10 - 14 years
- Print length144 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade level5 - 9
- Lexile measure1000L
- Dimensions8.25 x 0.59 x 10.25 inches
- PublisherCalkins Creek
- Publication dateAugust 7, 2018
- ISBN-101629797766
- ISBN-13978-1629797762
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Editorial Reviews
Review
School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
Booklist Editors' Choice
Washington Post Best Children's Book
BCCB Blue Ribbon
A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books
★ “Notable nonfiction author Jarrow (Fatal Fever, 2015) sets the stage…(w)ith intriguing details, complemented by rarely seen archival photos and illustrated scenes from Wells’ original story…highlighting elements used to heighten the tension. Numerous and astounding reactions to the panic…are also described. Although interesting in its own right, the author extrapolates on this phenomenon, comparing it to today’s fake news controversy. Ensuing freedom of the press debates and a sampling of modern-day social media hoaxes extend the theme. An enriching bridge that connects history with current events.” –Booklist, starred review
★ “In an era of alternative facts and fake news, telling the story of the infamous 1938 radio broadcast that convinced thousands of Americans a real-time Martian invasion of Earth was occurring could not be timelier. In a finely detailed narrative nearly as riveting as the broadcast…Jarrow deftly connects history to current events by comparing the phenomenon to contemporary fake-news controversies and ongoing freedom-of-press debates. Attractively designed, the text is complemented with archival photos of the broadcast and illustrated scenes from Wells' original story. A grippingly told story that adeptly makes history fascinatingly relevant to the present.” – Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ “With a succinct and engaging story, Jarrow informs readers about the 1938 The War of the Worlds broadcast and why it became so famous. (She) contextualizes the climate in which the program aired (and)… keeps readers involved in the fact-packed story. (M)asterfully written…with unobtrusive interjections…Jarrow effectively uses full-page spreads…(and) allows readers to evaluate current events in light of this notorious event. Jarrow concludes with a with a well-organized list of online resources. A skillfully written title that deserves space in middle and high school libraries”. - School Library Journal, starred review
★ “Jarrow 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… 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.“– Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ “Jarrow presents a detailed examination...(t)he book does an excellent job of recreating the broadcast itself with inserted annotations (and)…the takeaway lesson in thoughtful media consumption emerges effortlessly from this cautionary tale.” - The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review
“The 1938 broadcast of ‘The War of the Worlds’ and the ensuing panic are not that well known to students today. Jarrow does a good job of making connections between the reactions to the broadcast and today’s ‘fake news’ and hoaxes... (A) fascinating addition to a research discussion about verifying your information and reputable sources.” – School Library Connection
“Jarrow infuses her tightly plotted narrative with plenty of drama and suspense while weaving in sufficient background information, biographical vignettes, and play-by-play commentary to establish context. She concludes with a discussion of some subsequent hoaxes…an admirable feat of nonfiction storytelling.” – The Horn Book
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Calkins Creek; Illustrated edition (August 7, 2018)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 144 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1629797766
- ISBN-13 : 978-1629797762
- Reading age : 10 - 14 years
- Lexile measure : 1000L
- Grade level : 5 - 9
- Item Weight : 1.65 pounds
- Dimensions : 8.25 x 0.59 x 10.25 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #819,500 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Gail Jarrow (gailjarrow.com, @GailJarrow) is the author of nonfiction books and novels for young readers.
Her books have earned the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction; Sibert Honor Book Award; Orbis Pictus Honor; the Jefferson Cup; Grateful American Book Prize Honor; Golden Kite Honor for NF for Older Readers; Best Books awards from the National Science Teachers Association, Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, Bank Street College of Education, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, New York Public Library, and Chicago Public Library. Jarrow has received additional awards and recognition from the American Booksellers Association, American Library Association, Public Library Association, the Society of School Librarians International, and Junior Library Guild. A graduate of Duke University and Dartmouth College, Gail Jarrow lives in Ithaca, New York.
Customer reviews
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- Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2023Got it as a gift for my son for Christmas who’s into sci-fi and he was super excited to read it. Ended up being one of his favorites.
- Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2021An interesting read. My husband enjoyed it even though it ended a bit too abruptly. I will read it soon.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2019This is a great book about interesting subject matter. The book arrived in great condition.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2019As I read this I wondered how anyone was fooled by this but then it dawned on me, we live in an age of alternative facts and fake news. We read it and are quick to share before checking the authenticity of the story.
The story of the infamous 1938 radio broadcast that convinced thousands of Americans a real-time Martian invasion of Earth was occurring could not be timelier.
Orson Welles and his collaborators were simply brilliant. I wonder how they would use their talents in the 21st century.
In an entertaining detailed narrative of nonfiction, I was riveted by this account of which I was just familiar. Jarrow chronicles how a radio drama based on H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds, performed by Orson Welles and his Mercury Theatre players was broadcast on the night before Halloween. Even though it was stated four times, this is a play, the broadcast sent thousands of listeners who believed they were hearing breaking news about an alien invasion into a panic.
Researchers later found that fewer than one-third of the frightened listeners understood the reports to be about an alien attack. Many assumed the reports were about either a German invasion or a natural catastrophe. None listened long enough to hear one of four announcements made during the broadcast that it was a dramatization. After the play concluded, Welles and his producing partner, John Houseman, were shocked to learn about the reaction to their program. They thought their play would come off as boring.
The broadcast sparked a national discussions about propaganda, and the role of radio. Members of Congress proposed more government regulation of the medium. There is good discussion here as the author connects history to current events by comparing the phenomenon to contemporary fake-news controversies and ongoing freedom-of-press debates.
The text is complemented with archival photos of the broadcast and illustrated scenes from Wells’ original story.
In the author’s note, Jarrow says... The scenes in the book are based on primary sources and I have not embellished anecdotes or invented dialogue. I didn’t need to, the eyewitness accounts of people who lived it were fascinating enough.
(Nonfiction. 10-14)
- Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2022As told by Gail Jarrow, there are a couple of ways to assess Orson Welles’ 1938 Halloween weekend broadcast of “War of the Worlds.” On one hand, it is not much more than a cultural artifact, a sticky note on the vast board of American memory.
On the other hand, it is a prescient parable about people figuring out a new technology (radio), but not yet able to sort truth from fiction. Some are still doing the same thing today, swinging like lumberjacks at “so what” issues until they come down to “Live Free or Die” ultimatums.
In 1938 the broadcast “issue” was Martians purportedly stuffed into celestial thermos bottles. On landing, the invaders burst into hundred-foot tall monsters spewing heat rays and poison. The script was written to simulate musical programming repeatedly interrupted by “news bulletins,” by “live reports,” and interviews.
A sizable number of people swallowed the fiction as whole truth.
Once past the public naïveté and subsequent reaction ranging from indignation to embarrassment, the core fascination of the book is all that went into getting the program on the air. In just six days, Howard Koch created a script and the Welles team brought together a studio orchestra, sound effects and top actors to deliver a powerhouse production.
Although she makes a good effort, Gail Jarrow would have been better off developing that into a more robust and detailed story than the one told here. As it is, with twenty-eight full-page illustrations and just seventy-two pages of amply decorated text, the heavily padded narrative strains to hold attention.
Nevertheless, the book still conveys an important message. Only it does not come from Orson Welles. It comes from the much later words of Stephen Stills
“Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep
It starts when you’re always afraid”
Welcome to 2022.
Top reviews from other countries
- AndyReviewed in Canada on May 31, 2019
2.0 out of 5 stars Not a children's book
This book is interesting however it is not a children's book or for young readers. The content is much to detailed for children. It would be more appropriate for a teen/young adult.