Dead Voices

Reach for this book when your middle-schooler is looking for a thrill that tests the strength of their friendships and their ability to face fear head-on. As the second installment in the Small Spaces quartet, it follows friends Ollie, Coco, and Brian to a secluded, snow-bound ski resort where the atmosphere turns from cozy to claustrophobic. It is a masterclass in atmospheric tension, exploring how isolation and internal doubts can be just as scary as the ghosts in the hallways. While the book leans into genuine horror elements, it remains firmly grounded in the loyalty of its protagonists. It is an ideal pick for children aged 9 to 13 who enjoy the adrenaline of a ghost story but benefit from seeing characters use logic and teamwork to overcome their terror. Parents will appreciate the way the story validates children's intuition and emphasizes that bravery isn't the absence of fear, but the willingness to act despite it.