Small Spaces

"When the mist rises, and the smiling man comes walking, you must avoid large places at night."

Small Spaces by Katherine Arden

A girl gets swept up in the eerie origins of an old book when her class takes a fall field trip to a farm with creepy looking scarecrows. 

This book had all the right elements for a Halloween read: crisp fall setting in a small Vermont town, difficult childhoods, scarecrows that look like they are alive, and a creepy bus driver. I didn't realize this book was geared more toward a youth audience when I started reading it, but that's okay, I like all genres of books if they are well-written. And this one is.

Strengths: Atmosphere, descriptive language, being drawn into how Olivia (aka Ollie) feels when she thinks about loss and sadness. It would be a good book for kids (or adults) who have been through the childhood loss of a parent.

Weaknesses: Maybe not dark enough for a Halloween book. Also, the girls in the book seem to act their age, which is pre-teen, but the guys do not. They were written a bit older or maybe it seemed as if more was expected of their behavior. 

Audience: 6th grade + 

Sequel: Dead Voices by Katherine Arden

Reviews: Kirkus Reviews

Small Spaces by Katherine Arden