SPOOKED!:
HOW A RADIO BROADCAST AND THE WAR OF THE WORLDS SPARKED THE 1938 INVASION OF AMERICa
ROBERT F. SIBERT AWARD HONOR BOOK
Calkins Creek, 2018
Ages 10 to adult
ISBN hardcover: 978-1-62979-776-2; eBook: 978-1-68437-143-3
On Halloween Eve, Gail tells the backstory of the 1938 War of the Worlds broadcast on the PR Nation podcast. Click Here.
Hear Gail discuss SPOOKED! on the Out of Bounds Radio Program. Click Here.
Listen as Gail talks about writing SPOOKED! and reads an excerpt from the book. Click Here.
when fake news fooled a country
On Halloween Eve 1938, people across America gathered around the radio to listen to their favorite Sunday evening program. Expecting to hear the latest drama from Orson Welles’s Mercury Theatre, many were alarmed when news bulletins interrupted the show. New Jersey had been rocked by mysterious explosions. The announcements continued, each more frantic than the last. Listeners feared the worst. Was America under attack?
This nonfiction title for young readers ages 10 to 14 explores in riveting detail the famous 1938 War of the Worlds radio broadcast. Jarrow highlights the artists behind the broadcast, the broadcast itself, the aftermath, and the repercussions of "fake news" today.
What Reviewers Say:
ROBERT F. SIBERT AWARD HONOR BOOK, ALSC/ALA
GOLDEN KITE HONOR, Non-Fiction for Older Readers, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
NOTABLE CHILDREN’S BOOKS 2019, Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC/ALA)
NOTABLE Social Studies Trade Books for Young Readers, NCSS/CBC
EXCELLENCE in Nonfiction Award Nominee, YALSA
QUICK PICKS for Reluctant Young Adult Readers 2020, YALSA
EDITORS’ CHOICE List for 2018, Booklist
BEST Books of 2018, School Library Journal
BLUE RIBBONS List 2018 for Nonfiction, Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
CCBC CHOICES Best of the Year List 2019, Cooperative Children’s Book Center
BEST Children’s Books of the Year, Bank Street College of Education
BEST Children’s Books of 2018, Washington Post
BEST of the BEST Books of 2019, Chicago Public Library
TEXAS TOPAZ Nonfiction Reading List 2020, Texas Library Association
FINALIST Junior High Nonfiction, 2018 Cybils Awards
BEST History Books of 2018, Nonfiction Detectives
OUTSTANDING Long Form Nonfiction Books, 2018 Nerdies, Nerdy Book Club
Starred Review, School Library Journal
Starred Review, Booklist
Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews
Starred Review, Publishers Weekly
Starred Review, Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Recommended, School Library Connection
Junior Library Guild Selection
"By using short chapters, varied font sizes, quotes, photographs, and illustrations from the source material--H.G. Wells's novel--[Jarrow] keeps readers involved in the fact-packed story... A skillfully written title that deserves space in middle and high school libraries." ~ School Library Journal, Starred Review
“An enriching bridge that connects history with current events.” ~ Booklist, Starred Review
“A finely detailed narrative nearly as riveting as the broadcast... A grippingly told story that adeptly makes history fascinatingly relevant to the present.” ~ Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
"Jarrow's engrossing analysis of an earlier era's 'fake news' provides timely reminders to readers, which are underscored in her author's note." ~ Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
"The takeaway lesson in thoughtful media consumption emerges effortlessly from this cautionary tale." ~ Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, Starred Review
"Jarrow does a good job of making connections between the reactions to the broadcast and today's 'fake news' and hoaxes...This would be a fascinating addition to a research discussion about verifying your information and reputable sources." ~ School Library Connection, Recommended
"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...it's an admirable feat of nonfiction storytelling." ~ Horn Book Magazine
"In 'Spooked!', Gail Jarrow engagingly promotes skepticism and the value of ferreting out the facts as she explains how an hour-long radio broadcast about invading aliens became an infamous episode in history." ~ Washington Post
“Though these events took place 80 years ago, the need to revisit this issue has never been more urgent. The book invites readers to use this historical event to reflect upon their own fact-checking instincts.” ~ Nerdy Book Club
“You'll want to add Spooked! to your next book order. It is sure to fly off library shelves and will spark some interesting discussions about the media, the role and responsibilities of the press, and censorship.” ~ Nonfiction Detectives
THE AMAZING HARRY KELLAR, GREAT AMERICAN MAGICIAN
Calkins Creek, 2012
Ages 8 to adult
ISBN hardcover 978-1-59078-865-3; ebook 978-1-62979-170-8
PRESENTING THE AMAZING HARRY KELLAR! THE MOST WELL-KNOWN AMERICAN MAGICIAN AT THE TURN OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY! THE MODEL FOR THE WIZARD OF OZ!
KELLAR PERFORMED ON SIX CONTINENTS AND WAS THE FIRST AMERICAN-BORN MAGICIAN TO ACHIEVE INTERNATIONAL FAME. HE COULD MAKE A MAN DISAPPEAR, LEVITATE A WOMAN, AND DECAPITATE HIMSELF. AUDIENCES LOVED HIM.
THIS BIOGRAPHY OF KELLAR (1849-1922) FOLLOWS THE GREAT ILLUSIONIST FROM HIS DAYS AS A MAGICIAN'S ASSISTANT DURING THE CIVIL WAR TO HIS TRAVELS AS AN INTERNATIONAL SUPERSTAR. KELLAR ENTERTAINED EMPERORS, KINGS, PRESIDENTS, AND THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAY:
Excellence in Young Adult Nonfiction Nominee (YALSA-ALA)
Best Children's Books - Kirkus Reviews
Orbis Pictus Recommended Nonfiction Book for Children, National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)
Bank Street Best Children's Books
Nonfiction Honor List, VOYA
TriState Young Adult Books of Note
Kansas NEA Reading Circle Commission, Top Selected Title
Missouri State Teachers Association Reading Circle Selection
Charlotte Award Nominee - NY State Reading Association
Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews
Starred Review, School Library Journal
Starred Review, Library Media Connection
"A first-rate visual presentation accompanies a fascinating biography of the first dean of the Society of American Magicians, a man Houdini regarded as a mentor." ~Kirkus Reviews
“Jarrow includes just the right mix of biographical information, anecdotes, and descriptions of the performer’s illusions...An excellent example of nonfiction that is readable, visually appealing, and well researched.” ~School Library Journal
“Though it’s loaded with photographs, the real visual treats here are the dozens of reproduced posters used to advertise Kellar’s shows.” ~Booklist
“This book is a must-have for all biography collections.” ~Library Media Connection
"Jarrow's book is fun and engaging--reading it is kind of like going to a magic show. Each section begins with a full page color promotional poster from Kellar's performances." ~SommerReading.wordpress.com
"The Amazing Harry Kellar, Great American Magician is a fantastic book for young readers, adults, and especially magicians. It would certainly make a great gift for anyone interested in magic or interested in the history of the theatre or entertainment." ~ Dean Carnegie, themagicdetective.com
"Gail Jarrow weaves the story of a Golden Age giant, and it's just right for kids....The book is beautifully designed and illustrated...The Amazing Harry Kellar just might spark interest in an adolescent who is looking for a magical hero." ~ Magic Magazine
