And there is no way you could go through the scary things that they do-and the accompanying uncertainty-without having to deal with the emotional fallout. Once I knew I was going to write multiple books about Ollie, Coco and Brian, I wanted them to read as real kids, who are undergoing real experiences.
How does showing the impact of trauma fit in the arc of the series? It can be seen, be fought, and be defeated, and that is so powerful for a kid.Ī thread through the latter three books is how Ollie, Coco, and Brian were affected by their experiences in previous adventures and grapple with what reads as PTSD. In horror, the bad thing is externalized. The best horror also explores real-world emotions, like loss, anger, and longing, in a way that empowers a young reader. It is fun to experience a primal feeling like fear in a safe environment, like when you’re reading a book. What is important about exploring horror for this age bracket? Middle grade horror is a growing genre these days. PW spoke with Arden about the importance of honoring the emotional impact of her characters’ terrifying experiences, her favorite seasons to write about, and why kids love horror. Small Spaces, Katherine Arden’s atmospheric middle grade horror quartet, comes to a close with Empty Smiles, which features the final, frightening face-off between Ollie, Coco, and Brian and the smiling man.
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