Witch Hunt: The Cold War, Joe McCarthy, and the Red Scare
CCBC Review:
This compelling overview of McCarthyism and the Red Scare opens with an Indiana newspaper article from 1953 about banning the story of Robin Hood from school textbooks because, “Robin Hood robbed from the rich and gave it to the poor. That’s the Communist line.” This is the first of many vignettes used by the authors to portray the paranoia surrounding Communism in post-World War II America, an era of political witch-hunts that draws parallels to contemporary public affairs and ideologies. Centering their historical recap on the idea that there is more than one memory of historical events, the authors utilize a “fly on the wall” technique to summarize key individuals, significant headlines, and interviews for a young adult audience. Black-and-white line illustrations add visual interest and context for this captivating look at a pivotal period in American history, and an infamous politician from Wisconsin. ©2025 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
Illustrated by Tim Foley
CCBC Age Recommendation: Age 13 and older
Age Range:
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Grades 9-12 (Age 14 and older)
Format:
Substantial Narrative Non-Fiction
Subjects:
20th Century
Cold War
History (Nonfiction)
Politics and Political Systems
Rumor, Myth and Misinformation
U.S. History
Publisher:
Roaring Brook
Publish Year: 2024
Pages: 224
ISBN: 9781250246813
CCBC Location: Non-Fiction, 973 Balis