Small Spaces

How does Ollie feel about scarecrows? Does the novel depict these objects as benign or evil? What do they symbolize in terms of the book’s themes?

The smiling man exists as a shadowy figure for most of the story. What is Ollie’s initial mental image of this creature? How does his actual physical appearance contrast with this assumption? In what way might this dichotomy represent a danger to Ollie and her friends? 

The novel uses the phrase “small spaces” in multiple ways. Describe its meaning and function in various contexts. 

Discuss how desperation drives the behavior of multiple characters in the novel. How does this characteristic benefit the smiling man? Who is immune to it, and why?

Halloween has symbolic and literal significance in Small Spaces. Discuss the meaning of the holiday and how this relates to the book’s themes. 

Coco is perceived in a negative light by most of the other characters. How does this perception of her change? What admirable characteristics does she exhibit that the other characters lack? 

Which characters are most prone to cling to the past? Give three examples. Is this behavior helpful or hurtful? How does it impact their actions in the present? 

Ollie undergoes a transformation in her attitude throughout the novel. Describe who she is at the story’s beginning and contrast this to her behavior at the end. What has she learned?