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brandypainter's review against another edition
4.0
4. 5 stars
An excellent look at a famous incident that breaks down what was true and what has become myth. Jarrow tells the story well, beginning with the story of the broadcast itself. Using just enough information to build suspense and a perfect use of Houseman's ironic quotes, Jarrow manages to keep the story moving at a fast clip. I loved how everything was brought together in the end too as the mythos built up around the prank is unpacked. It helps a reader's perception of our own time too to see the well compiled quotes from the array of letters sent to the radio show, all about the size of a modern day tweet. All around well done non-fiction.
An excellent look at a famous incident that breaks down what was true and what has become myth. Jarrow tells the story well, beginning with the story of the broadcast itself. Using just enough information to build suspense and a perfect use of Houseman's ironic quotes, Jarrow manages to keep the story moving at a fast clip. I loved how everything was brought together in the end too as the mythos built up around the prank is unpacked. It helps a reader's perception of our own time too to see the well compiled quotes from the array of letters sent to the radio show, all about the size of a modern day tweet. All around well done non-fiction.
saidtheraina's review against another edition
4.0
Solid account of the War of the Worlds incident. I took this out to local middle schools and it was a pretty popular booktalk.
I do feel like the subtitle is a little bit of a mis-sell - "sparking an invasion" implies that an invasion actually occurred. I hoped there was something akin to the recently revealed Aleutian Islands invasion that the book would talk about. But the invasion bit stays mythical.
Good pictures, citations, even pops some of the bubble of legend around how things really went down. I especially enjoyed hearing about Ora Nichols (go learn about her! new hero!) and Dorothy Thompson.
In my booktalk, I focused on the invention of 9-1-1, and the fact that it didn't exist when this incident went down. Which is pretty mind-blowing for teens these days...
I do feel like the subtitle is a little bit of a mis-sell - "sparking an invasion" implies that an invasion actually occurred. I hoped there was something akin to the recently revealed Aleutian Islands invasion that the book would talk about. But the invasion bit stays mythical.
Good pictures, citations, even pops some of the bubble of legend around how things really went down. I especially enjoyed hearing about Ora Nichols (go learn about her! new hero!) and Dorothy Thompson.
In my booktalk, I focused on the invention of 9-1-1, and the fact that it didn't exist when this incident went down. Which is pretty mind-blowing for teens these days...
lrouss89's review against another edition
A fascinating look at Orson Welles and the 1938 War of the Worlds broadcast. Worthy edition to any fake news lesson.
The more things change, the more they remain the same.
The more things change, the more they remain the same.
molly_dettmann's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting nonfiction about the War of the Worlds broadcast that people thought was real. I loved the backstory about how Welles Mercury Theater and the tie into present day hoaxes.
annebennett1957's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent. In light of the daily barrage of Tweets coming out of the White House, this book talks about REAL "fake news", specifically about the myth of mass-hysteria after listening to the broadcast of the War of the World by Orson Wells, et al. I learned a lot and enjoyed reading this YA nonfiction book. I recommend it.
carstensena's review against another edition
4.0
I raced through the account of creating and broadcasting the War of the Worlds but stalled a bit on the fallout. Still, this is very very well done YA NF. The photographs and illustrations are well chosen and perfectly placed. The relevance to our times carefully drawn and it’s a great angle from which to present the late 1930s. I’m curious to see if my students will enjoy it.
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
5.0
Fascinating nonfiction that explores being critical when hearing/seeing what is believed to be the truth. Interesting how an event in our history has relevancy to today.
books_plan_create's review against another edition
3.0
This was a fun juvenile introduction to the Orson Welles radio broadcast of HG Wells' War of the Worlds in 1938 and how America lost its mind! I appreciated the history pre, and post broadcast and snippets of letters received by the station and people involved. Additionally, excerpts from the broadcast were included.
And tonight, i think I will turn down the lights and listen to the original broadcast.
And tonight, i think I will turn down the lights and listen to the original broadcast.