Small Spaces

 6/11/24

I'm working on a summer challenge for myself. It is something I felt like doing for a program at work, but trying it out to see how easy it is. So far I'm on my second book. The challenge is to read a book that takes place in one of the fifty states of the United States of America during the summer months. That gives me at least two and a half months to read. This book took some research but I found out that it takes place in Vermont. So that is another state crossed off the list. Only 48 more to go. The last book I read was in California. Anyways, I don't know much about this book. It has been sitting in my TBR list for a while. Also I know that it is a middle grade book. That is all I know. I'm hoping that this will be a quick read. I have the audiobook, so I can do other things while I listen to the book. Hopefully life doesn't get in the way again. But we all know that when I'm reading is when everyone wants me for something.

6/13/24

I have to be honest that I feel like this book is a little scary for little kids. Unless the kid who is reading this book had my childhood full of spooky stuff and horror movies. Anyways, I was really getting into the book when it suddenly stopped. Turns out my loan for the book expired. Leaving me wondering if the three sixth graders will make it out of the Smiling Man's world. I instantly rerequested the book. I need to know what happens next. But to get you up to speed on the book. The book is about a girl who is in sixth grade and is a big bookworm. Her mother tragically died the year prier, so it is just her and her dad. Our main character's name is Ollie and on the way home from school one day she meets a crazy woman who is about to throw a book into the river. Ollie being a bookworm couldn't understand why the woman would be doing such a thing and took the book from the crazy woman. Ollie then ends up reading the book, thinking that it is just some made up story. Then her class goes on a field trip to an old farm and weird things start to happen. Ollie thinks about the book she has been reading and notices the similarities. Eventually on the way back to the school the bus breaks down and Ollie's instincts tell her to leave the bus and hide. Two of her classmates end up following her and were spared from being taken away by mysterious beings. Now they are trying to figure out what is going on and how to return back to their world before they get taken as well. That is pretty much where I left off before my book stopped. Hopefully it won't be long until I get the book back.

6/14/24

I couldn't wait. I saw that the library had the physical book and I grabbed it. Also I still feel like this book might be scary for some kids. Either way I enjoyed it. There was the right amount of mystery, folklore, and tension to keep you guessing. Also the character growth in the book is good and very noticeable. I would recommend this book for those that love the spooky or just a good Halloween vibe book. The book gets four out of five stars from me. If you want to know how the book ends and how the kids escape The Smiling Man, I suggest you pick up this book.