What is Small Spaces by Katherine Arden about?

Small Spaces by Katherine Arden follows eleven-year-old Ollie Adler, who is grieving her mother's death and finds solace in books. After stealing a mysterious book from a woman at a creek, Ollie reads about "the smiling man," a sinister figure who grants wishes for a terrible price. During a school field trip to a haunted farm, Ollie and two classmates must survive the night by following cryptic advice: avoid large places and keep to small spaces. This middle-grade horror novel blends supernatural terror with themes of loss, friendship, and resilience.

Who is Katherine Arden?

Katherine Arden is a New York Times bestselling American author born in Austin, Texas in 1987. She studied French and Russian at Middlebury College and spent time living in Moscow. Arden is best known for her Winternight trilogy set in medieval Russia and the Small Spaces Quartet, a middle-grade horror series. Small Spaces won the Vermont Golden Dome Book Award in 2020. She currently resides in Vermont where she continues writing, growing vegetables, and running with her dog.

Who should read Small Spaces by Katherine Arden?

Small Spaces by Katherine Arden is perfect for middle-grade readers (ages 8-12) who enjoy spooky stories with strong female protagonists. The book appeals to young readers dealing with loss or change, as it addresses grief and emotional resilience through an accessible supernatural adventure. Fans of creepy atmospheres, scarecrow horror, and mystery will find the book captivating without being too frightening. It's also ideal for readers who appreciate stories about friendship, courage, and overcoming isolation during difficult times.

Is Small Spaces by Katherine Arden worth reading?

Small Spaces by Katherine Arden is absolutely worth reading for fans of middle-grade horror. The novel won the Vermont Golden Dome Book Award in 2020 and has received widespread critical acclaim for its suspenseful storytelling and gorgeous prose. Katherine Arden masterfully balances genuine scares with emotional depth, creating a story that resonates beyond typical horror tropes. The book's exploration of grief through supernatural adventure provides both entertainment and meaningful themes about coping with loss, making it a standout in children's horror literature.

What is the smiling man in Small Spaces?

The smiling man in Small Spaces is a sinister supernatural figure who grants people their deepest wishes but demands a devastating price in return. According to the mysterious book Ollie reads, this creature made a deal with characters named Beth Webster's husband and brother-in-law a hundred years earlier, leading to their disappearance. The smiling man represents the dangers of desperate bargains and shortcuts to happiness. His presence haunts the story as both a historical threat from the past and an active danger that Ollie must face during her terrifying night at the farm.

What does "keep to small spaces" mean in Katherine Arden's book?

"Keep to small spaces" is the cryptic warning given to Ollie Adler that becomes her survival strategy in Small Spaces. The phrase means avoiding open, large areas where the supernatural threats—particularly the animate scarecrows—can easily capture victims. Small, enclosed spaces provide protection from the smiling man's creatures that hunt at nightfall. This advice appears both in the mysterious book Ollie steals and from the strange bus driver who warns the children before disappearing. The phrase serves as both a literal survival tactic and a metaphor for seeking safety during overwhelming circumstances.

How does Small Spaces by Katherine Arden address grief and loss?

Small Spaces by Katherine Arden explores grief through protagonist Ollie Adler, who lost her mother in a plane crash one year before the story begins. Ollie copes by isolating herself from friends and immersing herself in books to escape her pain. The supernatural adventure forces Ollie to reconnect with classmates and confront her tendency to deny loss rather than process it. Katherine Arden weaves the theme of "denying loss" throughout the narrative, showing how Ollie's frightening experience teaches her valuable lessons about moving forward while honoring the past.

What are the scarecrows in Small Spaces?

The scarecrows in Small Spaces by Katherine Arden are animate, threatening creatures that hunt the children after nightfall at Misty Valley Farm. These supernatural beings appear to watch and pursue Ollie and her classmates as they try to escape through the woods. The scarecrows are connected to the smiling man's curse and the historical hauntings at the farm, formerly known as Smoke Hollow. Their presence creates the book's most visually terrifying imagery, representing physical manifestations of the deals made with the smiling man. Avoiding these creatures drives the urgent need to keep to small spaces.

Small Spaces

Katherine Arden

4.01(30338 Reviews)

Fiction

Overview of Small Spaces

When scarecrows come alive, 11-year-old Ollie must face supernatural terror. Endorsed by horror legend R.L. Stine as "terrifying and fun," this award-winning middle-grade phenomenon tackles childhood trauma with chilling authenticity. What dark secrets lurk in small spaces? Twenty states' young readers can't stop talking about it.

Choose how it's told

One book. Many ways to hear it.

Same ideas from Small Spaces. Pick the voice, depth, and pace that fits you. Switch anytime.

Chapter 1

When the Scarecrows Come Alive: A Tale of Courage in Small Spaces

In the eerie world of Katherine Arden's "Small Spaces," a simple school field trip transforms into a supernatural nightmare that has captivated readers since its 2018 publication. This middle-grade horror novel, which launched Arden's successful quartet, has earned its place as a modern classic in children's literature, with Stephen King himself praising its "perfect blend of chills and heart." The book's brilliance lies in how it balances genuine scares with profound themes of grief and courage, making it accessible to young readers while resonating with adults. Before Arden created this haunting tale of scarecrows and smiling men, she had already established herself with the critically acclaimed Winternight Trilogy, but "Small Spaces" marked her triumphant entry into children's literature-proving her versatility as a storyteller across age categories and cementing her reputation as one of today's most imaginative voices in fantasy fiction.

Chapter 2

The Girl Who Hides in Books

Olivia Adler - Ollie to everyone who knows her - is a sixth-grader with a brilliant mathematical mind and a tendency to escape into books rather than face the world around her. Her quick wit and exceptional memory make her a standout student, though she'd rather lose herself in tales of mythical creatures than participate in group activities. As October sunshine streams through her classroom window, casting diamond patterns on her desk, she fidgets through math class, mentally calculating complex equations while daydreaming about vampire armies and warrior princesses. Her teacher, Ms. Carpenter, has long since given up calling on her, knowing Ollie will have the right answer without showing her work - a source of both pride and frustration for the mathematics department. When she witnesses bullying in the schoolyard - Phil Greenblatt tormenting tiny Coco Zintner over a detailed manga drawing - Ollie breaks her usual pattern of quiet observation. Phil, a notorious seventh-grade bully with spiky red hair and too-big shoes, has already reduced Coco to tears by threatening to rip up her sketchbook. What pushes Ollie over the edge isn't just Phil's cruelty, but the ring of onlookers, especially hockey star Brian Battersby, who stands by with his signature smirk. In a moment of white-hot anger, Ollie takes matters into her own hands, hurling a perfectly aimed rock that hits Brian in the head - a calculated shot that leaves enough force for impact but not enough to cause serious harm. This impulsive act of justice sends her fleeing on her plum-colored Schwinn bike, pedaling furiously through the autumn-painted Vermont countryside to her secret place - a hidden swimming hole behind a cascade of water she's dubbed "Thistle Falls." Here, in this sanctuary where she usually loses herself in dog-eared copies of adventure novels, Ollie encounters something that even her book-trained imagination couldn't conjure: a distraught woman with amber-honey hair, expensive clothes muddied at the knees, mascara streaking down her face like ink in rain. The woman clutches a small black book bound in cracked leather as if it were both precious and poisonous, clearly intending to throw it into the churning water below. When Ollie protests the destruction of a book - any book - the woman becomes increasingly agitated, her perfectly manicured hands trembling as she speaks of mysterious "arrangements" and bargains that should never have been made. Her eyes dart frantically between the trees as she offers a cryptic warning that sends chills down Ollie's spine: "Avoid large places at night. Keep to small spaces or see what happens to you!" Before Ollie can process the strange encounter, she finds herself snatching the book from the woman's loosened grip and pedaling away as fast as her legs can pump. The stolen book, titled "Small Spaces" and dated 1895, reveals its secrets that evening. Within its weathered pages, Ollie discovers a letter from Beth Webster to her daughter Margaret, written in an urgent, spidery hand, warning about avoiding Smoke Hollow and staying in small spaces when the mist rises. That night, tucked safely in her vibrant purple house - nicknamed "the Egg" for its unusual oval architecture - Ollie begins reading about Beth's life in the same Vermont valley where Ollie now lives. The tale unfolds with Beth's childhood friends Jonathan and Caleb Webster, cousins whose initial brotherly bond twisted into bitter rivalry for Beth's affection, culminating in Caleb's mysterious disappearance during a particularly violent October storm. The story tells of Jonathan's desperate bargain with a sinister figure - a "smiling man" who emerged from the mist like a nightmare made flesh, offering to bring Caleb back "for a price" that would echo through generations. This stolen book becomes more than just another escape for Ollie - it transforms into her constant companion and eventually her guide to survival when the boundary between fiction and reality begins to blur in terrifying ways that will test everything she believes about courage, friendship, and the power of stories themselves.

See every word as you hear it

Read along effortlessly as each word of Small Spaces lights up in real time.

Chapter 3

The Farm Where Scarecrows Watch

Despite the heavy autumn rain drumming against the windows, Ollie's sixth-grade class eagerly boards the bus for their agricultural field trip to Misty Valley Farm. The familiar yellow bus looks the same, but their regular driver, Mr. Thompson, is conspicuously absent. In his place sits a tall man with an unkempt gray beard and weathered skin, his unsettling grin revealing yellowed teeth. When asked about Mr. Thompson's whereabouts, he merely replies that Ms. Hodges is "resting"- his tone making the innocent word sound ominous. The journey winds through Vermont's rain-slicked back roads, past fields stripped bare by harvest. Through the fog-streaked window, Ollie catches a glimpse of something that makes her heart stutter - a scarecrow-like figure standing motionless in a cornfield, its head cocked at an impossible angle. When she points it out, her classmates see nothing but rain-bent cornstalks, making her question her own eyes. Upon arrival at Misty Valley Farm, Ollie experiences a jolt of recognition that leaves her breathless. The farm's owner, Ms. Webster, is unmistakably the same woman whose book Ollie took from the creek - yet she's transformed. Gone are the black tears and Gothic makeup, replaced by the appearance of a typical farmer in muddy boots and practical clothing. The pristine farm stretches out before them, its pastoral beauty marred only by the dozens of scarecrows standing sentinel across the fields. Each one bears garden implements where hands should be - pruning shears, trowels, and rusted pitchforks - their stitched-on burlap smiles seeming to twist wider in the rain. The gray-bearded bus driver maintains an unnaturally close proximity to Ms. Webster throughout the tour, his presence making her visibly uncomfortable. She flinches when he passes too close, her hands trembling as she demonstrates how to feed the chickens. Ollie observes this dynamic with growing unease, wondering if this mysterious man represents the "something" Ms. Webster had been so afraid of by the creek. In the warm shelter of the milking barn, the class meets Seth, a striking young farmhand whose presence commands immediate attention. His pale hair falls across his forehead, and his dark green eyes hold an ancient wisdom at odds with his youthful appearance. He demonstrates the milking process with such quiet authority that even Brian Wilson and his typically disruptive friends fall into respectful silence. A sleek black cat with unusual yellow eyes observes from the rafters until Seth, without breaking his rhythm, directs a precise stream of milk into its waiting mouth. The students laugh in delight, but Ollie notices something peculiar - when the cat's presence begins to agitate the cow, Seth dismisses it with a mere flick of his fingers, and the animal obeys as if compelled by an unseen force. Taking advantage of a brief moment alone, Ollie explores the property and discovers an old cemetery nestled in the surrounding woods. Moss-covered gravestones lean at precarious angles, their dates worn but still legible. The memorial she seeks stands apart - a solemn marker commemorating the victims of the schoolhouse fire. Nearby, three headstones cluster together: Jonathan and Elizabeth Webster (died 1894) and their children Caleb and Catherine Webster. The bus driver materializes behind her like a ghost, his voice carrying on the damp air as he recites a chilling poem: "Two boys playing but only one returning home." His warning about "four graves, three stones, two sets of bones" and "souls unquiet" sends ice through Ollie's veins until Seth appears, his face dark with concern, to escort her back to the group. Later, when Ollie attempts to confront Ms. Webster about the book, the woman's practiced denial is betrayed by her trembling hands and darting eyes. As the day progresses, Ollie can't shake the feeling that every seemingly innocent aspect of the farm - from the watchful scarecrows to the too-perfect Seth to the omnipresent bus driver - is connected to the dark story in the small book hidden in her backpack. The mounting sense of dread follows her like a shadow, whispering that this simple field trip might be anything but ordinary.

Chapter 4

When Mist Becomes Nightmare

The nightmare begins on the journey home. The bus breaks down in thick fog on an unfamiliar road, and the driver makes an ominous announcement: "At nightfall they'll come for the rest of you" before smiling eerily. When Mr. Easton leaves to walk back to the farm for help, the driver reveals his true nature to Ollie, warning her to flee into the forest where she might find safety. He explains that "his people" can move during daylight when no one's looking but are weaker then due to "sunshine world" rules. At night, only "his rules" apply. Ollie's watch-her mother's last gift-suddenly displays "39:22" with "RUN" flashing. Seeing scarecrows appearing in the nearby cornfield, Ollie decides to leave despite her classmates' mockery. The driver offers one last piece of advice: "avoid large places at night" and "keep to small" since the mysterious entities have "clever, grabbing hands" that can't reach into tight spaces. Remembering her mother's adventurous spirit, Ollie steps off the bus. Coco Zintner joins her, followed reluctantly by Brian Battersby, as they head into the misty forest. As darkness falls, the three children discover threatening words painted on trees: "WE SEE YOU." Scarecrows with rake-hands attack, nearly grabbing Brian before they all scramble into a small cave between rocks for safety. From their hiding place, they witness a horrifying sight: scarecrows with garden-rake hands marching their captured classmates in a silent, straggling line through the forest. The three children spend a terrifying night in their uncomfortable shelter, with Coco and Brian quietly crying in the darkness. Ollie dreams of fire in a gray field, with scarecrows watching the burning wreckage where she can see her mother-a nightmare that awakens her with a shriek at daybreak. In this shadow world where scarecrows hunt and children disappear, Ollie's stolen book and her mother's watch become their only guides to survival. The mist that surrounds them is more than weather-it's the boundary between worlds, and as night falls, the rules of their reality shift into something far more dangerous.

Get more out of Small Spaces

Get daily insights from 100K+ lessons
Words light up in sync with the audio
Your library saved on every device

Chapter 5

Three Children Against the Smiling Man

With no cell service and rapidly dying phone batteries, three unlikely allies find themselves forced to rely on each other for survival in the increasingly hostile landscape. Mathematical Ollie, whose grief over her mother's death has made her withdraw into books, artistic Coco, whose small stature belies her determination, and athletic Brian, the popular basketball player who's more complex than his jock stereotype suggests, must overcome their differences to survive the night. Ollie finally shares the complete story of Small Spaces - the haunting tale she discovered in Beth Webster's mysterious book. She reveals the tragic history of Beth, Caleb, and Jonathan, and the sinister smiling man who orchestrated their fate. The chilling parallels between the events in Misty Valley and the historical tragedy of Smoke Hollow become undeniable. When Ollie's watch - her last gift from her mother - begins displaying cryptic messages, starting with "RIVER" and a countdown, they decide to trust this supernatural guidance despite their fears. Their journey through the mist-shrouded forest becomes a crucible that reveals each child's true character. Brian, initially dismissed as an insensitive jock, emerges as a natural leader who fiercely protects his younger companions. His athletic abilities prove crucial in helping them navigate physical obstacles, while his emotional vulnerability shows through when faced with the fate of his friends. Tiny Coco, who seemed like the group's weakness, demonstrates remarkable agility in climbing trees for better vantage points and shows unwavering courage in the face of terror. Ollie, forced to emerge from her protective shell of grief and literature, applies her analytical mind to decode the supernatural puzzles surrounding them - connecting historical clues with present dangers. The children encounter increasingly disturbing phenomena that blur the line between past and present. In a moonlit clearing, they discover a pristine white house where Cathy Webster - the dead mother from Small Spaces - welcomes them with warm gingerbread and steaming tea. The seemingly pleasant scene turns horrific when she mentions her sons Jonathan and Caleb. The gingerbread crumbles into putrid dust in their mouths, and grotesque scarecrow faces press against every window, their burlap features twisted into mockeries of human expressions. Their horror intensifies when they find their classmates transformed into scarecrows throughout the woods - each one a grotesque parody of their former selves. Phil, still recognizable by his backward baseball cap, stands frozen with garden fork hands gleaming in the moonlight. Brian's breakdown at seeing his best friend transformed reveals the human cost of the smiling man's magic. Ollie, drawing on her growing strength, promises they'll find a way to reverse the transformations. As they approach Linda Webster's farmhouse - now a decaying shadow of its daytime self - the army of scarecrows moves in perfect unison, their tool-hands raised menacingly. The rusted implements that serve as their fingers catch the moonlight like claws, and their blank burlap faces all turn to follow the children's movements. Inside the deteriorating house, Ollie follows her watch's urgent command to go "UP." There, she encounters Beth Webster's ghost, who reveals the terrible truth: the smiling man, Seth, has been trapping souls for centuries, using dark bargains to build his army of scarecrows. Beth shares the crucial secret - water from Lethe Creek has the power to break his spells and restore the scarecrows to human form. Armed with this knowledge, Ollie races against time to save not only her new friends but all their transformed classmates before the smiling man's magic becomes permanent.

Chapter 6

The Heart of the Maze

With scarecrows pursuing them and time running out, the children find themselves separated in a vast cornfield maze. Ollie, alone and terrified, relies on her mother's watch-now functioning as a supernatural compass with only two directions: IN and OUT. Choosing bravery over escape, she follows the IN direction toward the center of the maze. There she encounters a beast-part dog, part wolf with mushroom-colored fur-who is actually their transformed bus driver. In an act of compassion that echoes throughout the story, Ollie offers him her father's cookies in exchange for finding Brian and Coco. The beast agrees but warns her that reaching the center won't help-"What he has, he holds." At the maze's center, Ollie confronts Seth-the handsome farm worker now revealed as the ancient smiling man himself. His cat Behemoth, who had been spying on them all along, sits beside him. Seth explains how he made a deal with Ms. Webster to save her failing farm in exchange for the sixth graders' souls. In the climactic confrontation, Seth offers Ollie a terrible choice: he'll let her, her mother (whose voice she hears calling from the corn), and two friends escape if she drops Beth's book in the river and promises to let him in when he knocks on her door someday. Trying to buy time, Ollie asks how they'd escape, learning that water from Lethe Creek can transform scarecrows back to humans. When pressed to accept his deal, Ollie makes her bravest choice-she refuses, realizing the voice isn't truly her mother's but an illusion. She declares that her mother has been with her all along through the watch. In this moment, Ollie confronts both the supernatural threat and her own grief, finding strength in the truth that those we love remain with us even after death. Armed with water from her bottle, Ollie discovers she can transform scarecrows back to humans. She confronts Seth with the knowledge that he broke the rules by taking what Ms. Webster had no right to give. Defeated by Ollie's courage and insight, Seth admits defeat, warning he'll return someday before disappearing.

See every word as you hear it

Read along effortlessly as each word of Small Spaces lights up in real time.

Chapter 7

Small Spaces, Big Courage

The aftermath of their harrowing ordeal unfolds with a mixture of resolution and enduring mystery. In a haunting tableau amid the cornfield's shadows, the ghostly figures of Beth and Cathy Webster materialize beside two scarecrows dressed in antiquated black clothing - Jonathan and Caleb, finally reunited after centuries of separation and torment. With trembling hands and unwavering determination, Ollie uses the precious final drops of her sacred water to transform the remaining scarecrows back to their human forms, their bodies twisting and reshaping as the curse lifts. She then guides the disoriented group through the labyrinthine corn maze, her mother's watch providing silent reassurance with each step. When they finally stumble out of the cornfield at dawn, exhausted and mud-stained, reality snaps back into focus. They find themselves exactly where their journey began - beside their abandoned school bus, now surrounded by a sea of flashing police lights and frantic parents. Ms. Webster stands among them, her composure shattered as she breaks down, confessing through tears about the scarecrows and her inability to resist the smiling man's offer. The sight of her father's worried face, drawn and pale from a sleepless night of searching, pulls Ollie forward. As they embrace, her mother's watch - that constant companion through her darkest moments - chimes one final time, displaying "LOVE" across its face. Ollie's whispered "Love you too, Mom" carries the weight of everything she's learned about courage and loss. The supernatural events at Misty Valley Farm resist conventional explanation, slipping through the cracks of rational understanding like mist through fingers. Ms. Webster's mysterious disappearance the night before her scheduled court appearance raises more questions than answers, leaving Ollie to wonder if the smiling man's influence extends far beyond the farm's boundaries. The general public, unable to process the truth, constructs elaborate theories involving government conspiracies, hallucinogenic substances in the air, and even extraterrestrial intervention. Only Ollie, Brian, and Coco carry the full weight of what truly happened, their shared knowledge forming an unbreakable bond. In the months that follow, the three friends forge a new normal from the ashes of their ordeal. Ollie returns to the chess club with renewed vigor, engaging in friendly but fierce competitions with Coco, whose strategic mind proves a worthy match. Brian, once an outsider, becomes a regular fixture in their lives, joining them for weekly dinners featuring Ollie's father's increasingly adventurous culinary experiments. Their friendship deepens through small, ordinary moments - homework sessions, shared jokes, and the comfortable silence of those who have faced darkness together. On a crisp winter evening, they walk arm in arm through the twinkling Christmas lights toward the Egg, where Ollie's dad awaits with a warm supper. This scene of domestic comfort stands in sharp contrast to their memories of that fog-shrouded night among the scarecrows. Yet beneath this peaceful facade lurks the smiling man's ominous promise of return, and the mysterious bus driver-hound's cryptic offering: "Call me by my name if you need." The story concludes not with neat resolution but with the suggestion of future challenges - adventures that will test these children's newfound strength and courage in ways yet unknown, though they now face the darkness with the wisdom of those who have already survived its touch.

Chapter 8

The Spaces Between Grief and Growth

At its heart, "Small Spaces" is a story about navigating grief and finding courage in the face of overwhelming fear. Ollie's journey parallels her process of mourning her mother-moving from isolation and hiding in books to engaging with others and facing reality, no matter how frightening. The novel's central metaphor-small spaces as places of safety-works on multiple levels. Physically, the children find protection in caves and crevices too small for scarecrows' grasping hands. Emotionally, Ollie has retreated into the small space of her grief, shutting out friendship and connection. The journey forces her out of this isolation, teaching her that while small spaces offer temporary safety, true healing comes from venturing out into the wider world and forming connections with others. The supernatural elements of the story-the smiling man's bargains, the transformed scarecrows, the magical watch-serve as externalizations of the internal struggles the characters face. Seth's offer to reunite Ollie with her mother represents the temptation to live in denial rather than accept loss. The scarecrows, with their hollow insides and false faces, embody the emptiness of pretending everything is fine when it isn't. Through her ordeal, Ollie discovers that her mother remains with her not through supernatural means but through memory, love, and the courage to live fully-a message that resonates with readers of all ages who have experienced loss. By facing the smiling man and refusing his bargain, Ollie chooses truth over comforting illusion, beginning her journey toward genuine healing. The friendship that forms between Ollie, Brian, and Coco demonstrates how shared challenges can bridge differences and create unexpected connections. Each brings different strengths to their survival-Ollie's intelligence, Brian's protectiveness, Coco's surprising resilience-teaching readers that diversity of perspective and ability is a source of strength, not division. As the mist clears and the children return to their normal lives, they carry with them not just memories of horror but the knowledge of their own capacity for courage, compassion, and connection. The small spaces that once seemed like their only refuge have expanded into a world of possibility-still sometimes frightening, but faced together, with open eyes and brave hearts.

★★★★★

You made it to the end of Small Spaces

Loved by 1M+ learners

“23 days in and I have used it every single day. It is part of my daily habit now.”

jayallen

Key Themes in Small Spaces

supernatural scarecrows
coping with grief
sinister bargains
rural folk horror
power of storytelling

Quotes from Small Spaces

Words have power.
Avoid large places at night. Keep to small spaces or see what happens to you!
The book's brilliance lies in how it balances genuine scares with profound themes.
Stories test everything she believes about courage, friendship, and the power of stories themselves.
Her quick wit and exceptional memory make her a standout student.

Characters in Small Spaces

Olivia AdlerA brilliant sixth-grader who loves books
Coco ZintnerA small student who enjoys drawing manga
Brian BattersbyA hockey star and classmate of Ollie
The Smiling ManA sinister figure who makes desperate bargains
Beth WebsterThe 19th-century author of the mysterious book

About the Author

Katherine Arden is the New York Times bestselling author of Small Spaces and a leading voice in middle-grade horror fiction. Born in Austin, Texas in 1987, Arden crafts atmospheric tales that blend folklore, suspense, and coming-of-age themes, drawing young readers into worlds where ancient magic and modern fears collide.

Her background studying Russian and French literature at Middlebury College deeply influences her storytelling, evident in her acclaimed Winternight Trilogy—including The Bear and the Nightingale—which earned her Hugo Award and Locus Award nominations.

Small Spaces launched a celebrated four-book series that includes Dead Voices, Dark Waters, and Empty Smiles, establishing Arden as a master of accessible yet chilling narratives for younger audiences. The book won the prestigious Vermont Golden Dome Book Award in 2020. She has also authored The Warm Hands of Ghosts, a standalone adult novel.

Currently residing in Vermont with her dog Moose, Arden continues to enchant readers across age groups with her genre-spanning imagination and gift for blending historical depth with supernatural dread.

Download Summary of Small Spaces

Get the Small Spaces summary as a free PDF or EPUB. Print it or read offline anytime.

Users also liked

T. Kingfisher

Karin Slaughter

Ruth Ware

Jonathan Auxier

Karin Slaughter

Stephen King

Nora Roberts

T. Kingfisher

FAQs About This Book

Discover more

LEARNING PLAN

Aron beauregard's playground

This plan is essential for aspiring writers and horror enthusiasts who want to master the delicate balance between visceral shock and psychological depth. It provides a structured approach to understanding the mechanics of extreme fiction while honoring its literary significance.

3 h 27 m•4 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

Gothic Shadows and Psychological Depths

This learning plan offers a deep dive into the evolution of literary terror, tracing how horror transitioned from external threats to internal psychological struggles. It is ideal for literature students, creative writers, and fans of the macabre who want to understand the mechanics of fear and the complexity of the human soul.

1 h 12 m•3 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

Reading Dark Romance

Dark romance has emerged as a powerful literary genre that explores the shadows of human desire and complex relationship dynamics. This learning plan helps readers understand the psychological appeal of taboo themes, power imbalances, and morally ambiguous characters while developing critical analysis skills for this controversial but increasingly popular genre.

3 h 20 m•4 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

The Raven: A Descent into Gothic Madness

This plan offers a deep dive into the psychological horror and literary craftsmanship of Edgar Allan Poe's most famous poem. It is ideal for literature students and fans of the Gothic genre seeking to understand the mechanics of madness and grief.

1 h 30 m•3 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

The Evolution of Gothic and Epic Storytelling

This path is essential for literature enthusiasts and writers who want to understand how narrative traditions shifted from heroic epics to psychological horror. It offers a deep dive into the human psyche, making it perfect for those interested in cultural history and the mechanics of atmospheric storytelling.

2 h•4 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

Secrets of a Strange Earth

This plan is designed for curious minds who want to look beyond conventional knowledge to understand the anomalies of our universe and species. It is perfect for lifelong learners and trivia enthusiasts seeking to bridge the gap between science, history, and psychology.

1 h 36 m•4 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

Compare and explore 8 short novels.

This plan is essential for readers looking to move beyond surface-level plots and engage with literature at a professional analytical level. It is ideal for students, aspiring writers, and bibliophiles who want to master the art of the short novel while exploring existential and psychological themes.

4 h 33 m•4 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

Mastering the Gothic Castle Romance

This plan is essential for novelists looking to elevate their romance writing with atmospheric depth and psychological complexity. It is specifically designed for authors who want to move beyond cliches to create immersive, haunting worlds and compellingly flawed leads.

1 h 30 m•3 Sections

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

LOVED BY

1,000,000+ curious minds.

4.7

avg rating

1M+ learners

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

See more on how BeFreed is discussed

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

LOVED BY

1,000,000+ curious minds.

4.7

avg rating

1M+ learners

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

See more on how BeFreed is discussed

Start your learning journey, now

Chapter 3

Small Spaces

OverviewOverview of Small Spaces

One book. Many ways to hear it.

When the Scarecrows Come Alive: A Tale of Courage in Small Spaces

The Girl Who Hides in Books

See every word as you hear it

The Farm Where Scarecrows Watch

When Mist Becomes Nightmare

Get more out of Small Spaces

Three Children Against the Smiling Man

The Heart of the Maze

See every word as you hear it

Small Spaces, Big Courage

The Spaces Between Grief and Growth

You made it to the end of Small Spaces

Key Themes in Small Spaces

Quotes from Small Spaces

Characters in Small Spaces

About the Author

Download Summary of Small Spaces

Users also liked

FAQs About This Book

What is Small Spaces by Katherine Arden about?

Who is Katherine Arden?

Who should read Small Spaces by Katherine Arden?

Is Small Spaces by Katherine Arden worth reading?

Discover more

1,000,000+ curious minds.

1,000,000+ curious minds.

One book. Many ways to hear it.

When the Scarecrows Come Alive: A Tale of Courage in Small Spaces

The Girl Who Hides in Books

See every word as you hear it

The Farm Where Scarecrows Watch

When Mist Becomes Nightmare

Get more out of Small Spaces

Three Children Against the Smiling Man

The Heart of the Maze

See every word as you hear it

Small Spaces, Big Courage

The Spaces Between Grief and Growth

You made it to the end of Small Spaces

Users also liked

Discover more

Overview of Small Spaces