Module 11 - Aliens are Coming!: The True Account of the 1938 War of the Worlds Radio Broadcast by Meghan McCarthy

Bibliography:

McCarthy, Meghan. (1988). Aliens are Coming!:The True Account of the 1938 War of the Worlds Radio Broadcast . New York: Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN: 0375835180

Summary:

Aliens are Coming! begins with a brief explanation of the context surrounding the 1938 radio broadcast of War of the Worlds. After explaining the significance of radio programming to Americans in 1938, readers are informed of a particular prank phenomena that occurred during this time. After establishing the time an setting, the day before Halloween in the United States, readers are given an impression of how the broadcast must have sounded - as a legitimate new flash rather than part of a radio play. Following this setup, the book mainly uses actual dialogue from the War of the Worlds broadcast itself. Seeing this dialogue, readers follow how radio listeners in 1938 would have perceived the broadcast as a series of genuine news reports, elaborating interstellar disturbances from Mars, followed by the arrival of a UFO in Grovers Mill, New Jersey, and then the hostile first contact between witnesses and alien technology. Once the dialogue from the broadcast culminates into a doomsday warning and report of alien ships appearing nation-wide, the book takes a turn, describing the significance of the radio play in terms of the reactions caused. It tells of both the mass panic as evidenced by crowded highways and evacuations, as well as specific anomalies such as one man's confused identification of a water tower as an alien vessel. Only after this hysteria do the broadcasters conclude that aliens have not actually invaded, but that the whole broadcast was nothing more than a Halloween special. 

Impressions:

I thought this was a cute depiction about the true event of the radio scare in 1938. I liked how the books contained an author's note, giving a denser version than the story itself. Although the story is fully, if simply, explained in the earlier, thoroughly illustrated pages, it is followed by an author's note much longer than the rest of the book, which provides much more detailed information about the event for more advanced readers.The note lends help towards giving a more thorough understanding of the event. The illustrated section makes learning about the even entertaining and more suitable for younger audiences. The illustrations are comical and unique and easily reflect the time era in which the broadcast occurred. The illustrations are stylishly cartoonish, making it enjoyable for young readers, and me. It amazes me that the nation was taken in by such a widespread prank, even though they were warned that it was just a play. It makes me wonder if such a thing could happen today with our advanced technology.

Reviews:
"Using a 1930's art style, and a palette comprising mostly muted grays and reds, McCarthy evokes an era gone by, at the same time creating a cozy nostalgia. Even somewhat older, media savvy kids, who may view the gullibility of the characters with a disdainful eye, will be disarmed by the depictions of panicked faces and slimy Martians, eyes on stalks, that appear amid eerie red light. An abrupt ending notwithstanding, this is packed with age-appropriate thrills and scares."

Karp, Jesse. (February 01, 2006). American Library Association.  [Review of the book Aliens are Coming!:The True Account of the 1938 War of the Worlds Radio Broadcast.]. Booklist. Available from booksinprint.com

"The interplay between the text of the play and the author's description of actual events is effective, and the illustrations are exaggerated and funny. A unique treatment of a fascinating topic, and sure to have wide appeal."

 Vilmar, Rachael. (April 01, 2006). Library Journals LLC. [Review of the book Aliens are Coming!:The True Account of the 1938 War of the Worlds Radio Broadcast.]. School Library Journal. Available from booksinprint.com

Suggestions For Use:

I think this book would be great to read aloud, and even better, given to the children to read in dramatic announcer voices. Its a good opening for general education on the importance radio used to have in day to day life, as well as a great opener for any lessons on the 1930's. The kids could act out the crazy event, taking turns giving the "devastating" news. The book also includes questions throughout its pages, that would be great to talk about with the kids, such as "What would you do?", "Would you have been fooled?", and "What would you do if an alien came to visit you?" These are great starters for fun conversations that could get the ball rolling on more intellectual conversations.