The Rain Wizard

August 3, 2015
Brimner (Strike! The Farmworkers' Fight for Their Rights) brings to light the story of enigmatic, entrepreneurial rainmaker Charles Hatfield. Claiming to be able to enhance rainfall amounts with his secretive chemical mixing and evaporative techniques, the bookish Hatfield contracted with drought-plagued San Diego in 1915 to fill a reservoir in exchange for a big paycheck. Chapters alternate between Hatfield's rain-coaxing work at the reservoir and his life story, including one chapter on the history of pluviculture, or rainmaking. Large, color-tinted archival photos create visual interest, and ample white space keeps the fact-heavy narrative from overwhelming. When heavy storms in the winter of 1916 filled the reservoir (and damaged the city with floods), "Hatfield had fulfilled his agreement... Or had he?" Readers who study this well-researched tale hoping to discover if Hatfield did indeed contribute to the floods bearing his name may be disappointed. Whether Hatfield's methods were legitimate, coincidence, or a little of both is left to conjecture. However, the concluding author's note mentions two later scientists who indisputably used chemicals to seed clouds and cause rain. Ages 9â12. Agent: Karen Grencik, Red Fox Literary.

Starred review from June 1, 2015

Gr 8 Up-In the early 1900s, California sewing machine salesman Charles Mallory Hatfield claimed he had developed a "scientific" method for producing rain. Dramatic newspaper accounts publicized his successes. Brimner now tells the enigmatic Hatfield's story, placing it into the context of an era defined both by widespread belief that science would conquer all problems, even the weather, and flimflam men who exploited a credulous public for fame and fortune. He discusses Hatfield's lifelong obsession with rain and efforts to control it and his contentious relationships with weather service scientists. In 1915, the city of San Diego hired Hatfield to produce enough rain to fill its reservoirs. As he began blowing his chemicals into the atmosphere in early 1916, the entire region was hit with record rainfall that destroyed dams, flooded the city, and caused considerable loss of life. Hatfield spent years battling with San Diego officials about his payment. He never divulged his methods, and when 20th-century flood and water projects provided stable water supplies, he eventually faded into obscurity. Brimner allows readers to decide if Hatfield was a miracle worker or a fraud. This well-written and attractive book, with its many double-page period photos includes much detail and explores a figure who might otherwise be a regional footnote to 20th-century history. VERDICT A well-designed, impeccably researched work.-Mary Mueller, Rolla Public Schools, MO

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 15, 2015
In December 1915, San Diego's reservoirs were nearly empty, so the city turned to Charles Mallory Hatfield, whose skills at making rain were legendary. Hatfield, who claimed no supernatural powers, had perfected a method of sending a concoction of evaporating chemicals into the atmosphere to make rain fall. The San Diego City Council contracted with Hatfield to fill the Morena Resevoir to overflowing, for which he would receive $10,000 if successful. A light drizzle quickly turned into torrents, resulting in flooded roads, washed-out bridges, burst dams, widespread property damage, and several fatalities. Blaming Hatfield for the disaster, the City Council refused to pay him. Hatfield was more than compensated for his lost fee by the publicity, and he continued his rainmaking work into the 1930s. When he died in 1958, Hatfield took his rainmaking chemical formula with him. His success in making rain remains a mystery. In this attractively designed and illustrated biography, Brimner offers a fascinating, well-timed portrait of an enigmatic character, providing contextualizing information and efficiently exploring the San Diego controversy. Readers will not find an explanation of how Hatfield acquired his knowledge of chemical processes or his methods of experimentation. The generously leaded text is set within wide margins and accompanied by copious archival illustrations; both decisions keep the relatively complex text accessible. An engaging, intriguing story of a fascinating man. (author's note, bibliography, source notes, index) (Biography. 9-12)

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Starred review from June 1, 2015
Grades 5-7 *Starred Review* Most kids have never heard of Charles Mallory Hatfield, but this fascinating biography will help remedy that. Hatfield was a rainmaker, or, as he preferred, a rain coaxer. Using a top-secret mix of chemicals, Hatfield traveled the country at the turn of the last century, drawing rain from the skies with remarkable success. In 1915, he received a telegram from the San Diego city council. They needed a consistent source of water, but rainfall levels were only about 10 inches a year. Enter Hatfield, who was promised $10,000 if he could fill the Morena Reservoir. Most of the book is devoted to this particular job, a good newsbad news affair. The rains came and came, but flooding caused a fortune in damages. Because Hatfield was secretive, the book is more about events and results than the man and his methodsbut with such noteworthy results, this works very well. The book's design is a standout, with intriguing historical photos filling the pages and a typeface that makes this invitingly easy to read. The only disappointment is never learning whether Hatfield's success came from secret formulas or serendipity, as the controversy rages on. Budding scientists may well take this as a challenge to find out more.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)