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SPIRIT SLEUTHS:
How Magicians and Detectives Exposed the Ghost Hoaxes

Calkins Creek/Astra Books for Young Readers, 2024
Ages 10 to adult
ISBN hardover: 978-1-6626-8023-6; ebook: 978-1-6626-8024-3

It is the early twentieth century and the spiritualism movement is soaring in America. World War I and an influenza pandemic have killed hundreds of thousands. People are desperate to communicate with their dead loved ones, so they seek the help of mediums, psychics, and fortune tellers.

The mourners don’t realize they’re being deceived by frauds. But famed magician Harry Houdini isn’t fooled. He knows that these scammers’ methods are no more than conjurer’s tricks. Houdini and his team of investigators, led by detective Rose Mackenberg, set out to expose the ghost hoaxes.

Enter into this world of séances, psychics, secret agents, and magic. . . if you dare.

Check out the blog post MAGIC, GHOSTS, and SCAMS to learn more about the book.

Click here to hear Gail talk about her inspiration for writing SPIRIT SLEUTHS.

WHAT REVIEWERS SAY:

Junior Library Guild selection
Best Books of 2024, Middle to High School Nonfiction–School Library Journal
Eureka! Silver Award, Excellence in Nonfiction, 2024–California Reading Association
Best Informational Books for Older Readers of 2024–Chicago Public Library
Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List 2025—Texas Library Association
Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices 2025
Children’s Literature and Reading Best Informational Books 2024–International Literacy Association
Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens 2025–Capitol Choices
Golden Kite Award Finalist 2025–Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
Massachusetts Teen Choice Award nominee–Massachusetts School Library Association & Massachusetts Library Association
Dogwood Readers Award, Grades 9–12–Missouri Association of School Librarians

★”"A natural and riveting follow-up to Jarrow's Spooked and The Amazing Harry Kellar, her previous books about debunking hoaxes and the supernatural. In concise, approachable chapters, the author details the origins of Spiritualism, its popularity and most well-known practitioners, and the sleuths who dedicated their lives to disproving the methods and beliefs that made it popular . . . The book’s emphasis on how these mediums and psychics used smoke and mirrors to swindle people serves as an excellent tool to teach young readers about the dangers of misinformation . . . VERDICT: The indomitable Jarrow crafts another enthralling narrative of nonfiction that will mesmerize curious readers and serve as an exemplar for educators and researchers.”
—School Library Journal, starred review

★“Jarrow’s remarkable ability to transform meticulous research into a gripping narrative once again results in a nonfiction work that will transfix readers of all ages…Jarrow continues to work magic in Spirit Sleuths, making certain that young readers can find history accessible, exciting, and surprising.” —Shelf Awareness, starred review

“Spine-tingling . . . A mesmerizing read that not only details the rise of spiritualism, and the role Houdini played in debunking it, but implores readers to rely on critical thinking skills to evade deception." —Publishers Weekly

"In this thoroughly researched study, [Jarrow] singles out two investigators in particular for their persistence: Harry Houdini, who made exposures of séance fakery a regular part of his stage act, and his protégé Rose Mackenberg, a tough-minded private detective and master of disguise who worked with victims and law enforcement to shut down spirit scams for decades after Houdini’s premature death . . . She [offers] insights into the clever techniques used by both hoaxers and hoax-busters, as well as a timely case study on the persistence of irrational belief in the face of logic and overwhelming negative evidence . . . Penetrating and provocative." —Kirkus Reviews

"During the height of spiritualism from the 1840s to the 1920s, many so-called mediums fooled their audiences with illusions disproven by some of the most talented stage magicians, including Harry Houdini. But Jarrow's exploration of what was proven to be fake is also conscious of the true hold spiritualism had on people who believed in the great beyond, cementing the movement as a fascinating moment in cultural history, especially in the U.S. In this title, the wheels of Spiritualism are shown being sped by crowds and slowed by individuals, making for a page-turner of a spooky history book." —Booklist

“This intriguing deep dive into an underexplored period of history shows readers how obvious lies can cement into passionately held beliefs that can stand up to scrutiny if the believer is sufficiently motivated.” –Horn Book

“The subject matter is rife with drama and intrigue…Photographs, newspaper articles, and advertisements, however, effectively set the historical stage while also conveying the spiritualists’ theatrics…The explanations of and secrets behind some of the more common deceptions might have readers trying their own hand at acts of illusions.”
–Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Jarrow’s incredibly well-researched narrative, along with her accessible style and tons of photographs, images, and other primary source material, makes this an excellent read for kiddos ages 10+ (including adults, ahem) into history, or those intrigued by the world of illusions and debunking.” –Can We Read?

“If you’re interested in conspirituality, in grifting and hoaxes, as well as the ways people through history have tried to help differentiate real belief from those trying to make a quick buck, you’ll love this one.” –Book Riot

“Connections for readers today are powerful as the chapters weave throughout historical events such as world wars, epidemics, and technology developments, as well as telling compelling biographical information.” –Worlds of Words

“Ghosts, spirits, rapping, knocking, and Harry Houdini—what’s not to like?” – Redeemed Reader

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.