Monday, July 4, 2011

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


Image Courtesy of: http://images.betterworldbooks.com/037/Aliens-Are-Coming-McCarthy-Meghan-9780375935183.jpg
Bibliographic Citation
Title: Aliens are Coming!: The True Account of the 1938 War of the Worlds Radio Broadcast
Author/Illustrator: Meghan McCarthy
Year of Publication: 2006
Publisher City: New York
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf
ISBN: 0375935185
Author/Illustrator Website: http://www.meghan-mccarthy.com/
Media Used for Artwork: Pencil, Gauche, Oil Pastel, Acrylics

Awards
·         School Library Journal Best Books of 2006
·         New York Public Library One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing for 2006
·         The Children’s Book Council-International Reading Association Children’s Choice, 2007
·         American Library Association Notable Book 2007
·         Georgia State Picture Book Award 2011

Annotation
This is a recount of Orson Welles broadcast of The War of the Worlds, a Halloween prank.  The broadcast on October 30, 1938 caused many Americans to panic, thinking aliens really had invaded.

Personal Reaction
                This picture book uses a mixture of original text and the script from the broadcast by the Mercury Theatre actors to retell the panic that people felt while listening to the Halloween prank.  I like the addition of the actual script from the broadcast because it made the reader feel like he or she was also listening to the original broadcast.  McCarthy wanted readers to feel as if they were living the same moment.  She definitely did her research about the broadcast, Orson Welles, H.G. Wells, and radios as well.  The author’s note at the end not only tells about the 1938 broadcasts but other broadcasts doing other versions of the story that have caused mass panic as well.  “The War of the Worlds” broadcast seems to have that effect on people.
                Readers will appreciate the fact that this historical event is retold in a creative way.  And also that they learn about the impact of entertainment on people be it by radio or even television and video games that are popular now.  The bibliography at the end also allows opportunities for readers to conduct further research about the broadcast or even the causes of mass panic.
                The illustrations start of as black and white and slowly more color is added as the listeners let their imaginations run away with them for the invasion.  It is reminiscent of “The Wizard of Oz” when Dorothy firsts steps out into the world filled with color.  The fact that the real world illustrations remain in black and white reminds me of film noirs which were popular at the time, the illustrator’s way of setting the era visually.

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