Small Spaces

this was such a fun middle-grade spooky read that brought me back to my 3rd grade days of sitting in the library during lunch to read Goosebumps & bringing those books home over the weekend.
I loved following Ollie & friends as they navigate through the ‘other world' to get back home. also, really love the cover! reminds me of jeepers creepers.

3.5 stars

I picked this book up because I loved Katherine Arden's other books, the Winternight Trilogy. I didn't realize this was for a younger audience until I started, so that's my bad.

Jumping into the book. It's a nice spooky little mystery. The kind you want to read as a kid in October for a little bit of spook. The main character comes across a creepy book, visits a farm, and then the creepy factor kicks in.

The book itself did a nice blend between creating a spooky atmosphere and being appropriate for a young audience. There were times it got really spooky, but Katherine did a great job at turning it around to keep kids from getting too scared. Her greatest strength in writing is definitely creating an immersive atmosphere.

Now why only 3.5? A few things, the MC is not very likeable, especially at the beginning of the book. Lashing out, and being overall unpleasant. Yes, she has gone through a traumatic experience, but her attitude and actions towards others is excessive. The other thing that got me was that this book felt old. Not like a classic, but like someone my age trying to write based on their memory of grade school rather than talking with kids currently in that age group. While some actions are similar to kids of every decade, other actions were incredibly out of place. In fact, if you told me this book came out in the mid 90's, I'd believe it.

Overall, it was an enjoyable, quick read. Though I didn't find it nearly as memorable as the Winternight trilogy.

My dudes i read this book in one go. I had to know how it was going to go for Ollie and her classmates so I sacrificed a good night's sleep. I knew from The Bird and The Nightingale that Katherine Arden could write spooky and tense scenes and she delivered with this one. I will be reading the next book for sure.

I loved Katherine Arden's Winternight series, so was curious about her MG/YA series and her writing has lost none of its charm despite the obvious reduction in narrative complexity. It's a kind of horror-lite (like, Goosebumps-level scary) with strong emphasis on family bonds and unexpected friendships. Definitely a book I would recommend for the actual audience that adults can appreciate as well!

3.5 STARS!!!!!

deducted a bit because the two characters other than oli didn't act like like 6th graders. you could've told me one of them was in high school and i would've believed it because he literally didn't act like a 11 year old. the other character acted like a 5 year old. other than that, the book was super fun and actually pretty spooky at times! i'm really looking forward to reading the other book(s) in this series and eventually reading katherine arden's ya books

I'm not a huge middle-grade reader but I enjoyed this a lot. This was cute and a little spooky. I really liked the atmosphere that this book has and the plot is very interesting especially for a spooky middle-grade book. I will definitely be picking up the next book in this series because its that good.

If you love Stranger Things as much as I do, you need to pick up this book!

This middle grade follows Ollie, an eleven year old avid reader who lost her mother after a tragic accident. One day on her way home from school, she sees a seemingly crazy woman attempt to throw a book into the river. Ollie, in an attempt to save a precious book, snatches it and runs. In this book is a story about the Smiling Man who will make a deal with anyone for the right price.

The next day, she is on a field trip to Smoke Hollow, a local farm with a dark history and a creepy, never ending mass of scarecrows. On their way home from the trip, the bus breaks down. Ollie and two of her classmates are the only ones to follow the bus drivers warning and run into the forest. With his one final piece of advice, “Avoid large places. Keep to small,” the kids are swept on a terrifying adventure to steer clear of the scarecrows and find their way back home.

This book was so cute and fun! I loved Ollie's humor and her budding friendship with her two classmates. It also touches on grief and healing.

There was a quick resolution but it's middle grade so it's expected.

Overall, I can't wait to pick up the next few books in this series. They're the perfect mix between spooky without being scary.