For fans of Mary Downing Hahn and Goosebumps, Small Spaces by Katherine Arden is a must-read.īook reviewed by Julie J., Assistant Head of Youth ServicesĬategories: For Grades 4-6 Picks by Julie J. It is the story of two brothers, the girl they love, and a bargain they’ve made with a sinister figure known only as “the smiling man.” Ollie dismisses it as a made up ghost story, until a field trip to Misty Valley Farm-the location of the story-ends in a broken down bus and a warning on her previously broken digital watch to “RUN.” Can Ollie help save her classmates from the horrors lurking in the woods? Maybe-if she remembers to stick to small spaces until sunrise. Ollie, a lover of books, steals it from the woman, and finds the story within is one she can’t put down. This is the warning that 11 year old Olivia “Ollie” Adler gets from a distraught woman trying desperately to throw a book in the river. Here's hoping for more tween-centered horror of the same high quality.“Avoid large places at night-keep to small.” Still, Ollie's bravery and sacrifice add a nice depth to the finish, and will satisfy thoughtful readers.

And without closure for some of the otherworldly characters they meet. Which is why it's such a surprise when Small Spaces unravels so fast at the end. The more the trio learn about the scarecrows and the smiling man, the more hopeless it seems that they'll ever escape them. She's hurting after the loss of her mother, but tough and determined to survive.Īfter Ollie escapes that first night with two classmates, the scares ratchet up. Its been three months since Ollie made a daring deal with the smiling man to save those she loved, and then vanished without a trace. The buildup to the bus breaking down is all well-paced and plotted, and Ollie, the main character, is very well drawn. New York Times bestselling author Katherine Arden thrills once again in the finale to the critically acclaimed, bone-chilling quartet that began with Small Spaces. There are ghosts and old curses and a magical watch, too. New York Times bestselling adult author of The Bear and the Nightin. Author Katherine Arden, in her first book for this age group, throws a lot in the scary-stuff pot and stirs. Read 4,238 reviews from the worlds largest community for readers. And best of all for kids, they'll never look at a boring farm field trip the same way again.

Here's a rare thing: tween horror that's creepy instead of gory, well-written (minus some hastiness near the end), and starring thoughtful, memorable characters.

Katherine arden small spaces book 4