Small Spaces

By: Katherine Arden

Narrated by: Renee Dorian

New York Times bestselling adult author of The Bear and the Nightingale makes her middle grade debut with a creepy, spellbinding ghost story destined to become a classic.

After suffering a tragic loss, eleven-year-old Ollie who only finds solace in books discovers a chilling ghost story about a girl named Beth, the two brothers who loved her, and a peculiar deal made with "the smiling man"—a sinister specter who grants your most tightly held wish, but only for the ultimate price.

Captivated by the tale, Ollie begins to wonder if the smiling man might be real when she stumbles upon the graves of the very people she's been reading about on a school trip to a nearby farm. Then, later, when her school bus breaks down on the ride home, the strange bus driver tells Ollie and her classmates: "Best get moving. At nightfall they'll come for the rest of you." Nightfall is, indeed, fast descending when Ollie's previously broken digital wristwatch begins a startling countdown and delivers a terrifying message: RUN.

Only Ollie and two of her classmates heed these warnings. As the trio head out into the woods—bordered by a field of scarecrows that seem to be watching them—the bus driver has just one final piece of advice for Ollie and her friends: "Avoid large places. Keep to small."

And with that, a deliciously creepy and hair-raising adventure begins.

Me and my friends really enjoyed it-but don’t worry, we stayed up late waiting in small spaces

You know what? I’m not writing an essay on this book, but I have to write 15 words so…

Spooky Fun For All Ages

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and bought it even tho my kids are grown. A lot of the books I read/listen to are in the paranormal genre and every once in awhile it’s nice to listen to a book in that category that is spooky and upbeat at the same time. I’m sure sometime down the road I’ll buy the remaining 3 books in the series. Thanks to the author for writing books that let people my age delve into their inner child without feeling like a complete weirdo.

Great

I love the storyteller I love the storyline. This book is very interesting.
I would recommend this to my friends. They enjoy sci-fi like this.

Fun

loved it. fun and spooky. appropriate for 10yrs old and above I would say.

love it so very much and is a thriller book with lots of adventure best book

Best ya book I've read in a long time.

Loved the story. The narration was amazing. I had so much fun, I didn't even wait to ready it with my teenage kids.

The twist of the smiling man’s identity

Overall, nine out of 10 didn’t really like the voice actor at the beginning, but it begins to grow on me really good story and has a good twist at the end. I really recommend reading.

Delightful

As an adult, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, Small Spaces by Katherine Arden. It's delightful. Much of the middle school angst was relatable to my own childhood. A great book if you want to get a young person who enjoys ghost stories interested in reading. It's first in a series. The second one will be released on August 27.

A GREAT Scary Story

I’m someone who loves a good scary story IF it has a good, meaningful ending (I hate books/movies that are purely about horror and/or end on an ominous, sickening note). This book, while being quite scary, was also particularly meaningful. The characters were very believable and there was a healthy dose of humor sprinkled throughout the book. I quite enjoyed it. I will definitely read the rest of Katherine Arden’s books.

Love!

I loved the store and how everything fit together! Amazing read, and a lovely story!