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216
Novel • Fiction
Vermont • Contemporary
2018
Middle grade
10-14 years
HL570L
In Katherine Arden’s Small Spaces, 11-year-old Ollie Adler, grieving her mother's death, discovers a mysterious book foretelling the dangers of a figure called the smiling man. During a school trip to a haunted farm, she encounters animate scarecrows and uncovers the truth behind the eerie warnings, ultimately learning valuable lessons about loss and forging new friendships.
Mysterious
Suspenseful
Dark
Unnerving
Adventurous
29,008 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Katherine Arden's Small Spaces garners praise for its atmospheric narrative and well-crafted suspense, captivating readers with a chilling yet heartfelt story. Reviewers highlight the strong character development and engaging plot. However, some critique the pacing as uneven. Overall, it's lauded as an engrossing read for middle-grade audiences interested in supernatural themes.
A reader who would enjoy Katherine Arden's Small Spaces is typically fond of middle-grade fiction with a knack for spine-tingling adventure and supernatural elements. Fans of Neil Gaiman's Coraline or R.L. Stine's Goosebumps series will revel in its chilling atmosphere and brave young protagonist.
29,008 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Brian Battersby
A star hockey player and Ollie's classmate, known for his athleticism and kindness, who undertakes a journey with Ollie to unravel the threats posed by an unknown danger.
Coco Zintner
A diminutive and seemingly fragile transfer student whose climbing skills become essential, she develops key friendships despite her initial outsider status.
Seth/The Smiling Man
A charming yet mysterious worker on the Webster farm, whose true nature and intentions are intricately linked to the supernatural events affecting the sixth-grade class.
Mr. Jones/Cerberus
A substitute bus driver with peculiar appearances and behavior, later revealed to have a complex connection to the sinister occurrences surrounding the students.
Mr. Easton
Ollie's supportive teacher, who provides historical context about local folklore and mysterious happenings without knowing the extent of their reality.
Linda Webster
The troubled owner of a local farm, inadvertently tied to supernatural elements through decisions made under duress, impacting the sixth-grade class.
Beth Webster
A historical figure and former owner of the farm whose decisions in the past resonate with current events and mysteries encountered by Ollie.
Mr. Adler
Ollie's nurturing father embodies both parental roles following the family's loss, providing emotional and practical support to his daughter.
Mrs. Adler
Ollie's adventurous mother, whose legacy and spirit influence Ollie's courage and choices posthumously through subtle messages and guidance.
Phil Greenblatt
A prankster in Ollie's class whose antics provide comic relief, he undergoes a transformative experience that deepens his connection to his friends.
216
Novel • Fiction
Vermont • Contemporary
2018
Middle grade
10-14 years
HL570L
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