Spooked!

Written by Gail Jarrow

A radio drama sparks chaos, revealing the power of fake news.

4.0 Goodreads · 700 ratings

144 pages· 1000L

$22.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

On October 30, 1938, a radio broadcast convinced thousands of an alien invasion, igniting panic and anger. This nonfiction tale delves into the infamous War of the Worlds hoax, exploring its impact on media and the enduring issue of fake news. Discover how a single broadcast challenged trust and sparked a national debate on truth and deception.

From the publisher

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.