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martha_schwalbe's review
5.0
Fun book with great pictures. The man sitting next to me on the plane pointed out that the man in one of the picture was probably alive during the Civil War!
I'd recommend this book to readers who enjoy history.
I'd recommend this book to readers who enjoy history.
thisgrrlreads's review against another edition
2.0
I love Gail Jarrow's books. I've always been fascinated with the War of Worlds broadcast and the reaction it provoked at the time. But unfortunately, you have to be fascinated with this broadcast to understand the book the way it's set up--or at least you have to know that the invasion that is set up in the beginning is not real. Because otherwise, it doesn't make sense that we go and take an in-depth look at performers and radio producers. What does that have to do with a real invasion of America?
If you skip Chapter One, this book improves quite a bit! I loved reading the notes from people after the broadcast, learning what happened when this broadcast was done at other times in other countries and how the studies done at the time about reactions were biased. There are some really great parts to this book, I just wish it gave a better introduction for people who didn't come in knowing the backstory.
If you skip Chapter One, this book improves quite a bit! I loved reading the notes from people after the broadcast, learning what happened when this broadcast was done at other times in other countries and how the studies done at the time about reactions were biased. There are some really great parts to this book, I just wish it gave a better introduction for people who didn't come in knowing the backstory.
bethmitcham's review
4.0
A lot of fun! Jarrow does a great time setting the scene, backing up a bit to give context, and then showing the timeline and the effects on people, and ending up discusses the myth of the event verses the probably reality, including a look at other hoaxes and propaganda.
She manages to never look at any parallels of the modern world, but I sure do. Let's see, a bunch of Americans swallow a pile of fiction and do dumb stuff.
She manages to never look at any parallels of the modern world, but I sure do. Let's see, a bunch of Americans swallow a pile of fiction and do dumb stuff.
dungeonmasterteacher's review
4.0
This is a really solid overview of the War of the Worlds radio broadcast written in student friendly language. It makes a really good starting point for conversations about fake news and hoaxes.
jupiter2ff65's review
4.0
This is an event in history that has always fascinated me. I really enjoyed Jarrow's retellings of reactions and it's a good reminder on how we should consider news we receive today because not much has changed.
lilyn_g's review
4.0
I have been fascinated by the War of the Worlds broadcast for what feels like ages. I had always sort of laughed at the idea that people could get so frightened from a radio broadcast. It couldn’t have been that good, could have it? Then a few years back, I actually listened to the broadcast for the first time. I was amazed. It was so well done that even decades later, it’s clear how people could have gotten freaked out. The drama is incredibly well done! Of course, if you listen through the whole broadcast, it is obvious that it’s just a play, but… things were different then. A lot more tense.
That is one of the strengths of ‘Spooked!’ It does a great job of making you understand exactly how Orson Welles’ broadcast could have freaked so many people out back then. It laid out the techniques he used, like the breaking news bulletins, the imitation of the President, etc. But it also dispels many of the myths about the impact the broadcast had. People are prone to exaggeration as it is, and sadly, actual fake news has been around for quite a while.
‘Spooked!’ is a very interesting read for both younger readers and adults. I wouldn’t recommend it for under 12 or so because it is a surprisingly dense book that isn’t really the “read in one sitting” type. The layout was very nice, though. I liked how Jarrow guides readers from the then to the now. The talk about viral hoaxes, the need to reason and seek verification, etc, are all very relevant to today.
Definitely worth checking out.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publicity company for review consideration
That is one of the strengths of ‘Spooked!’ It does a great job of making you understand exactly how Orson Welles’ broadcast could have freaked so many people out back then. It laid out the techniques he used, like the breaking news bulletins, the imitation of the President, etc. But it also dispels many of the myths about the impact the broadcast had. People are prone to exaggeration as it is, and sadly, actual fake news has been around for quite a while.
‘Spooked!’ is a very interesting read for both younger readers and adults. I wouldn’t recommend it for under 12 or so because it is a surprisingly dense book that isn’t really the “read in one sitting” type. The layout was very nice, though. I liked how Jarrow guides readers from the then to the now. The talk about viral hoaxes, the need to reason and seek verification, etc, are all very relevant to today.
Definitely worth checking out.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publicity company for review consideration
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